In the Northwest region of Murcia, where the Alhárabe and Benamor rivers meet, forming the genesis of the Moratalla river, is the Bolvonegro area, a protected area under different frameworks for its archaeological, ecological, landscape and geological consideration. The Senda de Bolvonegro -PR-MU 110-, included in the Red Naturaleza 2000, is in charge of exhibiting the unattainable beauty and attractive geoformology of this unusual place.
In the same way that happens with the Flysch of the Basque Coast, the Bolvonegro Configurado is an open book whose sheets of rock, formed at this time in the Miocene, reflect hundreds of years of history through fossils and traces of marine animals . Its geological value is incalculable.
To take a closer look at this favored and very unrecognizable natural treasure, we must understand Moratalla, a city that makes up for its lack of architectural wealth and gigantic monuments -with the exception of Beniza Castle- with the interesting character of its mountain range and its traditional steep streets where time can be seen slowing down.
Bolvonegro Path Route
We begin this simple and marked walk of six kilometers, round trip, which takes precisely about three hours, and we do it along a path covered with cultivated fields. Right away we will have the chance to see, on a small hill, the remains of the Iberian settlement Los Molinicos.
We continue along the path until we reach the Benamor River, where we will have the chance to see the fossil remains of a Paleodictyon, an acceptable display that this region was once submerged under the sea. About 150 meters later we will find the entrance to the Iberian town, which can be entered to contemplate its remains. There are only 50 meters of detour, and another 50 meters back to the main track.
We continue walking until we reach the Alhárabe River, and in this section the path runs alongside the river bed, where numerous pools of water and waterfalls form, mainly after the rainy seasons. There is no lack of all kinds of intrusive formations, which make this walk considerably more impressive, such as faults, thrusts, folds and even fossils, of enormous geological interest. And at the end of the route we will have the possibility of enjoying a fault jump where the water falls causing a small waterfall.
Is this route easy?
Look at the disappointment and also try to carry out the easiest ones if you are not yet very trained. The effort level and trail condition for this hike is:
DISTANCE: 16.85 km
GRADIENT: 281m
CONDITION OF THE ROAD: Generally good, with certain very difficult sections (slippery, steep, etc.). Therefore it is MANDATORY to wear hiking boots (without hiking boots you will not be able to come with / as).
EFFORT: Easy, More times rested than exerted. You have to have something physically.
How the Strait of Bolvonegro was formed
The Bolvonegro Strait arises from the union of the Benamor and Alhárabe rivers, which give way to the Moratalla river, which enters the rock, sculpting it in an unparalleled way. Its beauty impresses, but also, it is a place whose geology has much to tell us. The rock plates and the formations that we have the possibility to observe were produced in the Miocene epoch by the waves of storms and seismic movements. This generated the dragging of sediments that, when deposited, gave rise to sedimentary constructions called Hummocky.
How to get to the Bolvonegro Strait
We start from the town of Moratalla. We take the Calasparra road and at kilometer 3 we come to a crossroads, where we turn left towards Socovos-Férez-Tazona-Benizar (RM 715 road). Precisely one kilometer from the junction, we find the Alhárabe River, which we will cross over a narrow bridge. After the bridge we will see an esplanade where we can leave the car and also start the route.
Recommendations
- Wear suitable shoes for hiking.
- If they go lower, do not make the complete journey, now that there is danger of death due to falling.
- Do not collect archaeological remains and respect the creations.
- Do not take fossils, which apart from being a heritage of all, are protected by the Spanish Historical Heritage Law of 1985 and by the recently approved law 4/2007, of 16
- March, Cultural Heritage of the Autonomous Social Network of the Region of Murcia.
- Go quietly so as not to annoy the fauna, which will allow us to observe different types of aquatic birds, such as tortoises and amphibians.
- Do not leave garbage remains in the region and respect the fauna, flora and gea.
- Leave the area in the event of heavy rain.
- Do not step on the wet rocks, now that they are usually covered with algae and are very slippery.
- Use the correct shoe for hiking.
- We must respect both the archaeological remains of the area and the creations that we find on the trail. No need to collect fossils either. Considered everyone’s heritage, they are
- protected by the Spanish Historical Heritage Law of 1985, as well as by Law 4/2007, of March 16, on Cultural Heritage of the Autonomous Social Network of the Region of Murcia.
- If we do the route accompanied by children, it is convenient to know that there is a part of the route in which there is a high danger due to falling off.
- Leave the area in case of heavy rains, and do not step on wet rocks, as they are usually full of algae, making them very slippery
- Please do the Bolvonegro Trail as quietly as possible so as not to frighten the local fauna, this will make it easier for us to observe amphibians, waterfowl and tortoises.
- Do not throw garbage in the area, and of course respect the fauna, flora and geological elements
