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A long and demanding hiking trail was opened in 2025 from Alhama de Murcia up into the Sierra Espuña mountain range. From the town center, located 200 meters above sea level, hikers must climb 16 kilometers to reach the historically significant “snow pits” at an altitude of 1,144 meters. This is one of the countless hiking routes that can be followed in the area, which is known as the green lung of the province of Murcia.
It took a long time before the route could be opened to the public. The reason is simple: after a reforestation study in 1895, the original route was successfully traced. Now the path has been adapted for hikers, complete with clear signposting. At the end of the tough climb, the snow pits await. These were created in the 16th century for the storage of snow, which was compacted and kept as ice. For a long time, the ice was transported to important regional cities such as Murcia, Cartagena, and Lorca. Gradually, the industry lost importance, the pits were abandoned, and the route was overgrown by vegetation.
It is clear that Alhama is proud that this historically important trail has been restored. The city even decided to name the route after Baldomero Brugatoles, a local pioneer in international mountaineering.
As mentioned, the Sierra Espuña, covering 25,000 hectares, is suitable for all kinds of walkers who want to take easy, challenging, short, or long routes. Extensive information on all these possibilities is available at the visitors’ center, where the rich and varied flora and fauna of the area are also presented. For those who wish to experience the mountainous terrain in another way, there are plenty of options as well: quad bike tours, cycling, paragliding, canoeing, climbing, and horseback riding.
