La Mata lake walk
RECENT improvements to La MataTorrevieja natural park have seen new signposted routes created along the footpaths of this protected natural space. The proper signposting is part of the investment plan which was started last year and has seen around 40,000 native plants and trees planted around the park – and also invasive species and dead specimens removed, and tree husbandry carried out.
The natural park covers a vast area in the municipalities of Torrevieja, Rojales, Guardamar del Segura and Los Montesinos, with most of it taken up by the salt lakes of La Mata and Torrevieja.
The new routes start from the interpretation centre, which stands between the eastern shore of La Mata lake and La Mata village. The yellow ‘ path’ ( ruta amarilla route number 1) which is outlined here passes two bird hides where anything from flamingoes to stilts can be seen, depending on the time of year. The park is also full of rabbits, so dog walkers are reminded to keep their pets on leads close to the lake.
Part of the route passes through the fields of vines which produce table grapes and also several varieties of white wine as part of the
traditional agriculture that is permitted within the protected zone of the park. The route is a short one and is suitable for people of all levels of walking ability.
The Walk
START with your back to the whitewashed interpretation centre and turn right to walk along the wide track for a few metres to the information board which includes a map and descriptions of the routes.
After having a good read about some of the possibilities that the park has to offer continue up the track for around 30 metres to the ‘ Mirador El Altillo’ vantage point for a great panoramic view of La Mata
salt lake.
The track bears left, then turn right after 20 metres – now on the ‘ wine route’ and passing through the vineyards. At the next junction turn right, heading downhill with vines left and right. The track passes under the tall eucalyptus trees. Keep straight on to ‘ El Acequión’, where a wooden bridge crosses over the water channel which links La Mata lake to the sea.
Notice the sign before bridge – our route bears left before the water channel. Follow the sign pointing for ‘ Observatorio la Cigüeñuela. The track is now sandy and a little ‘ heavier’ underfoot as it runs along the shore of the lake.
Next up is the ‘ Cigüeñuela’ bird hide. It is wellnamed because it is one of the best spots in the area to view blackwinged stilts ( Himantopus himantopus). Walkers will probably want to bear right to walk the 85 metres to the hide which is built out very close to the water and offers fantastic opportunities to view birdlife ( including flamingoes) in silence and also to take photos.
Back at the track continue straight on. It starts to rise slightly, heading for La Pinada picnic area. When the track forks, bear right to reach the boardwalk and then right again to follow the boardwalk into the ‘ tunnel’ of trees – formed by bending eucalyptuses – which is one of the most photographed vistas of Torrevieja.
The track passes through the picnic area and continues on to the sign which points to ‘ Mirador Zampullín’ – a right turn off the track. Here the track is close to the shore and the open bird hide is very close to the lake. At the hide, bear left and walk up the rise to meet the wide track. Here do not be tempted to turn right, or you will end up in Los Montesinos. It’s a left turn to follow the track back to the picnic area and then retrace your steps to the interpretation centre. A quicker way of doing this is to continue straight on when the boardwalk comes to an end and follow the cycle path along the country road which leads towards the sea, La Mata and the turning for the interpretation centre.
Comments and questions to djones@ cbnews. es
Walk Facts
Length – approx 3.6 km; time – 1.52hrs hours; ascent – negligible; getting lost rating – low; difficulty – low; season – all year round; getting to the walk – on the N332 road from Guardamar del Segura to Torrevieja turn right at the first roundabout in La Mata. Follow the road round to the left and turn right to enter the interpretation centre car park.