Sierra de la Muela, Cabo Tiñoso y Roldán

Sierra de la Muela, Cabo Tiñoso y Roldán is a large protected nature reserve on the coast of the Murcia region, west of Cartagena. The landscape consists of rocky hills, steep white limestone cliffs, and small coves, covered with pine forests and drought-resistant plants like palmito and aromatic herbs.

The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as shown by Neolithic cave paintings still visible today. In the 16th century, military structures like the Torre de Santa Elena were built to protect the coast from raids, and later the area was designated a protected reserve in 1992.

Small fishing villages and traditional farming practices have shaped this area for centuries, and you can still see them in the coastal settlements and old cultivated fields. The people use the coast and hills much as their ancestors did, with fishing and agricultural methods remaining part of daily life.

The area is accessible by car from Cartagena or by boat from the sea, with information signs helping you navigate. The walking paths are sometimes steep and rocky, so wear good shoes and bring plenty of water, especially on warm days.

The area is a bird protection zone and home to rare species like the Cartagena cypress, found nowhere else in the world. Underwater, a marine reserve was created in 2009 to protect colorful corals and specialized fish species that live among rocky ridges.