Desierto de Abanilla - Mediterranean Desert - Murcia's lunar landscape - desert hiking

Just 41 km from the city of Murcia lies an area of ​​237 square kilometres where drought combined with heavy rainfall over millions of years has carved deep furrows and shaped nature into a lunar-like desert landscape. Here you get the feeling of being in another world. There is almost no vegetation, and the few plants that survive here are particularly hardy. The desert is easily accessible on foot.

10 million years ago, there was an ocean floor here. After the sea retreated, heavy rains washed away what could have developed into fertile soil. What is now left is hard-packed sand, rock and clay. A few plants, animals and birds survive here, but they are particularly hardy and adapted to the dry, hot climate.

The desert is also called Desierto de Mahoya since it is located in the municipality of Mahoya in the Abanilla district. Approximately 2.5 km from Mahoya there is a parking lot on the left. On the opposite side of the road there is a dirt road that goes right through the desert. Follow this road on foot until you reach an information sign after 1 km. This is a good starting point for taking a tour of the terrain. However, you will see a lot of the desert while walking on the dirt road as well.

The dirt road through the desert

The deep furrows make it difficult to move around in the terrain. In some places there are paths. You can of course move around outside these as well, but be aware that it can be difficult to get out of the deep furrows if you are unfortunate enough to slip to the bottom.

In some places the furrows are particularly sharp

In several places, there are dry riverbeds that only fill with water the few times it rains here.

In a few places, isolated hardy plants grow

On the eastern side of the desert there is a rambla (a dry wide riverbed) that can fill with large amounts of water within a few minutes during the few times there is heavy rainfall in the area. At the bottom of this is a small stream that provides water for plants, animals and birds in the area.

Rambla with small stream on the east side of the desert

Oasis in the desert

The ground is often cracked due to low rainfall

On the west side, there is also a rambla running through the terrain, which you can follow on foot.

More excursions: www.turideer.com

Excursion of the week: Desert hiking - Mediterranean desert in Abanilla

Suitable for: Everyone. Strollers and wheelchairs work well on the gravel road.

Length: You can walk as short or as long as you like. If you are not very mobile, you can simply follow the gravel road for a couple of hundred meters. This also gives a good impression of the unique landscape. If you want to go on a longer walk, you can walk right through the desert or take a round trip through the dried-up riverbeds.

How to get there: Type Desierto de Abanilla into Google Maps. Alternatively: Follow the A-7 from Alicante towards Murcia. Turn right towards Benferri onto the CV-870 a short distance before you reach Murcia. Follow this road through La Murada and Abanilla to Mahoya. In the centre of the village of Mahoya turn left towards Los Baños de Fortuna. This road goes through the desert. Follow the road for 2.5 km until you reach a car park on the left. Park here and walk across the road and on to the gravel road signposted to la Huerta, a cultivated area at the other end of the desert.

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