Look out for spring flowers
SPRING comes early in Alicante province – or at least figuratively speaking it does.
Wild flowers are already starting to appear, and – if the promised rain finally arrives – many countryside areas will be covered in a multi-coloured carpet in the coming weeks.
One of the zones which has been starved of rain since the beginning of 2021 is La Mata-Torrevieja natural park.
Green shoots are showing and the first flowers are appearing – but precipitation will encourage a plethora of growth and an orgy of activity in the soil.
For this reason, a stroll on the paths of this protected area is never a bad idea during the month of March.
The main colours on view when ‘spring’ hits are purple, pink and yellow, where one species of flora appears en masse in a relatively small area – but there are also many other beautiful single flowers which can be spotted on a walk in the park at this time of year.
This route – close to the shore of La Mata lake – is a short one and can be undertaken at any time of day.
It’s only 2km with a couple of metres of ascent, although the paths are sandy in places which would make access difficult for wheelchairs users.
The walk starts at the natural park interpretation centre (white building) off the N-332 in La Mata. Much of it follows the ‘Ruta del
Vino’ through the vineyards of La Mata, where the vines are ready to burst into life, providing the grapes which are picked in August.
The paths offer expansive views across the lake to the Sierra de Orihuela and the Sierra de Callosa.
The Walk
At the doors of the park interpretation centre, turn to face La Mata lake (away from the sea) and walk along the wide track, with vines on the right. After around 100 metres pass a vantage point which looks over the vines, and across the lake to the Sierra de Callosa in the distance. 20 metres further on, don’t turn right – keep straight on to the rural road. At the road turn right and walk along the cycle path. Shortly afterwards a large expanse of yellow flowers may soon be visible on the right of the road, growing in an old field of vines.
Continue on to the bend, where there are information boards signalling the entrance to the natural park. Turn right before the boards to follow the track which runs up a short rise. On the left a carpet of purple flowers will soon appear, leading down to the salt lake (see photo below). Here there is a great view of one of the man-made bird islands which allow species such as Audouin’s gull to prosper.
The track leads into the shady trees, and turns to the right, now following the wine route, passing the giant eucalyptus trees. The path now moves away from the lake and follows El Acequión (on the left) – the water channel linking La Mata lake to the Mediterranean where sluice gates allow the water level of the lake to be altered.
The track passes an area of allotments on the right.
At the single-track road turn right. The path runs alongside the road, with more vines on the right. An information board explains about the grape harvest. Here turn right to return to the information centre and the car park.
Comments and questions to djones@cbnews.es
Walk Facts
Length – 2km; time – one hour; ascent – negligible; getting lost rating – low; difficulty – none; season – all year round; getting to the walk – Taking the N-332 coast road from Guardamar del Segura to Torrevieja turn right at the first roundabout in La Mata. Follow the road round to the left, then sharp right to park up at the information centre which is on the right.