Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Níjar - Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Níjar

The nature park Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Níjar (German Cape of agates) is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, east of Almeria in the Almeria Province in Andalusia located.

places

• San Jose is the tourist center of the nature park
• Cabo de Gata with miles of beach
• El Pozo de los Frailes with the water wheel
• La Isleta del Moro is a cozy fishing village
• Rodalquilar with the "Centro Geoturistico de Rodalquilar", the former gold mining facility "Planta Denver" (ruin) and the botanical garden "El Albardinal"
• Las Negras, a former fishing village with a black beach
• Aqua amarga wander on the Sendero San Pedro - Plomo - Agua Amarga

Backland

The coastline is desert-like and one of the driest areas in Europe.

history

The nature park has been a water protection and landscape protection area since 1987 and was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1997.

landscape

The influence of water, wind and waves formed many bizarre rock formations on the coast and in the hinterland. The dry watercourses, Ramblas, are only filled with thunderstorms.

The highest point is the Pico del Fraile with 493 meters above sea level.

Flora and fauna

The dryness of the region and the volcanic origin shape the vegetation. The plants have adapted to the extreme environmental conditions. For the Central European it is a very unusual but interesting landscape and vegetation. Agaves, dwarf palms, lots of cacti and robust low plants.

During the heat of the day there are hardly any animals to be seen, most likely beetles and lizards. At the salt pans at Cabo de Gata you can watch flamingos and other bird species from lookout points. The region is of volcanic origin. There are mineral deposits everywhere and in earlier times mining was carried out in many places.

climate

In the nature park there is a desert-like, hot, dry climate, the sky is mostly cloudless. The amount of precipitation is low, Cabo de Gata is the place where it rains the least in Spain.

architecture

You can still find original Andalusian architecture in the nature park. The houses are low, small and cube-shaped, the roof is flat and the walls are thick. There are only a few openings to keep the interior cool. They are whitewashed with lime on the outside.

You can also find remnants of rural architecture:

• Windmills can still be found in Pozo de los Frailes, Agua Amarga and Los Genoveses near San José
• The water wheels norias, like in Pozo de los Frailes, used to be pulled by animals.
• There are still many cisterns aljibes, and water storage, tanques.
• Threshing pennies are not easy to spot. They were designed to be circular with a stone in the middle. There are still a few in the Bahía de Los Genoveses.
• Resting places for the cattle, sesteros, consisted of several arches made of stone and clay. They were used for the cattle to rest on hot days. You can still find them in Llano Limones near La Boca de los Frailes.
• A very well preserved dovecote can be found at the bay of Cala de San Pedro.

getting there

By plane

Almería Airport is only 30 kilometers away, but only a few airlines fly to it. The airports in Málaga, Granada and Alicante are better connected to the air traffic and then further with the rental car.

By train

The nearest train station is in Almería, around 35 kilometers away.

By bus

Bernardo buses leave four times a day from San Jose to Almería and back three times.

Alsina Graells buses run six to seven times a day from Cabo de Gata to Almeria.

In the street

Several exits between km 467 and 494 of the E15 / A7, then towards the sea.

Fees / permits

Access is free and free.

mobility

There are a large number of hiking and cycling routes, some of which are signposted, and there are maps on site for more details. The individual locations are approached by public buses.

taxi

• Taxi San José, Tel. 34 608 056255
• Taxi Almeria, tel. 34 950 251111
• Radio Taxi Almeria, Tel. 34 950 226161

Tourist Attractions

• 36.72181-2.19267Faro del Cabo de Gata1 Type is group designation The lighthouse and lookout point Faro del Cabo de Gata at the end of the road.
• 36.72057-2.1908Arrecife de las Sirenas2 Type is group designation The rock formations in the sea Arrecife de las Sirenas are best viewed from the Faro del Cabo de Gata viewpoint.
• At the lookout point Mirador de la Amatista on the road from La Isleta to Rodalquilar you have a good view of the coastline. Be careful when parking, the parking lot is more suitable for off-road vehicles.
• The former gold mining facility Planta Denver with the Centro Geoturistico de Rodalquilar in Rodalquilar.

Beaches and bays

Beaches (playas) and bays (calas):

The Playa el Playazo de Rodalquilar can be reached via a junction on the AL-4200 road east of the village. The hiking trail to Las Negras with beautiful views of the sea is very rewarding.

The Playa de la Isleta del Moro is located directly at the place of the same name. There are three small bays connected to each other with a sandy beach and parking spaces just above. There are large overgrown stones in the water, making it difficult to get out into the shallow sea.

North of the Duna Fósil de Los Escullos extend the Playa Los Escullos and Playa del Arco.

The driveway to the small sandy beach Cala Higuera takes place via an unpaved road from San José. There is the Cueva del Tabaco cave, the cave of tobacco. Tobacco smugglers are said to have stayed here once. A watchtower rises above the bay.

The Playa es San José is a beautiful bay right in the village with fine sand. Life is raging here and the restaurants and bars are not far. You can park either at the parking lot directly behind the beach, where the market is also held on Sundays, or at the central parking lot in town.

A few hundred meters further south there is San José, the small bay La Calilla, framed by rocks. There are few parking spaces on the bay.

Los Genoveses, Playa de Mónsul, Playa de la Media Luna and Cala Carbon can be reached from San José via an unpaved road. The way to the beaches is signposted in San José, but the access roads are closed in summer when the parking spaces on the beaches are overloaded. At the last roundabout in town, the police set up a block and there were traffic jams. The parking fee in the car parks is € 4.00 for the whole day. The better way to get to the beaches is by public bus. The trip costs € 1.00 per person and the buses go from San José, stop on the main road, to the beaches every half hour. There is a bus stop at each of the beaches.

Playa de Mónsul is the most famous beach in the nature park. The sand is very fine, the water is very shallow, you can go far out into the sea and the waves break nicely. The rocks are of volcanic origin with partially visible pentagonal basalt columns. In the middle of the beach there is a large rock in the sea, La Peinta, the attachment comb. There is a large dune behind the beach. Films have also been shot on this beach.

The little beach Playa del Barronal between Mónsul and Los Genovese can only be reached via a footpath over a hill. You can also bathe naked here.

The Bay 36.74521-2.12204Ensenada de los Genoveses1 Type is group designationEnsenada de los Genoveses owes its name to a historic landing in 1147. The sand is very fine, the beach is very shallow and the waves break nicely. There are a few shady trees behind the beach. The beach is not only accessible by road, but also by a footpath at the southern end of San José.

Playa de la Media Luna, the beach of the crescent moon is just a rocky point further from that of Los Genoveses.

Cala Carbon, the Coal Bay, is the smallest of the beaches and the furthest from San José. Fine sand and shallow beach. The beach can be reached via a small footpath.

From El Cabo de Gata they are Playas de Cabo de Gata to reach. They are divided into Playa de San Miguel, Playa de la Almadraba and the Playa de la Fabriquilla. For several kilometers after the beach there are small dunes, then the road and on the other side the salt pans with the flamingos. The beach differs from the beaches near San José: The sand is coarser, easier to control and it gets deep quickly, after a few meters you can swim. There are good waves when there is wind. At the western end of the Torre de San Miguel tower there is a bar with a restaurant right on the beach. There, sardines are grilled on wooden skewers in an old fishing boat, directly above the embers. There are more restaurants in the neighboring towns.

activities

• Hiking and natural history lessons from Ecoalmería, tel. 34 609 537342
• Canoes, surfboards and bicycles can be rented from Deportes Medialuna, c / del Puerto, s / n. San José, Tel 34 950 380462
• Quad bike routes are offered by Abrucena aventura from Camping Cabo de Gata in summer. Tel 34 616 411522
• Riding excursions and riding courses are available from Cortijo el Sotillo, Tel. 34 95o 380216, on the road to San José
• Riding through the park, riding lessons and group excursions are available from Camping Los Escullos, Tel. 34 950 389811
• Boat tours, diving excursions and water skiing are available in the port of San José at Ocioymar S.L. Tel. 34 950 497649
• Routes by sailing ship at Nautica Puerto San José, tel. 625 282947
• San Miguel de Cabo de Gata is the meeting point for windsurfers. Lessons with Eolo Windsurfing, Tel. 34 950 261735
• Underwater fishing with an oxygen bottle is completely prohibited within the Parque Maritimo of the nature park. Sport fishing on the coast and from boats is permitted with the exception of bathing areas and special protection zones.

Regular events

• During Holy Week processions, Nazarene parades and crucifixion are held in many villages.
• In honor of the patron saint, San Antonio de Padua, Carboneras celebrates from June 12th to June 14th. A battle between Moors and Christians for possession of the castle is re-enacted.
• On Midsummer Eve, fires are lit in almost all villages.
• The festival in honor of Saint Santiago Apóstol takes place from July 24th to 26th in Agua Amarga. Dancing events are held in other villages.
• During the first week of August, the Feria de la Virgen de Agosto takes place in Campohermoso.
• In Carboneras, on August 14th and 15th, La Fiesta del Pescador, the feast of the fisherman, is celebrated.
• In Níjar there is tapas at the festival booths during the Feria de Septiembre, this custom goes back to the 14th century.

shop

The handicraft of the area is pottery, which is of Arabic origin and is mainly practiced around Níjar. In traditional weaving, rag rugs, harapas, The flat cloth shoes are also made from green grass espandrilles and baskets made.

Markets

• On Wednesday in Níjar
• On Thursday in Carboneras and Campohermoso
• On Saturday in Cabo de Gata
• On Sunday in San Jose and in San Isidro

kitchen

The tapeo is a local custom. When ordering a glass of wine or beer in a bar, a small portion of fish, meat, rice or salad, which is offered by each restaurant, is included in the price of the drink.

As a starter there is a cold tomato soup, Gazpacho soup called. Otherwise, the cuisine is characterized by its proximity to the Mediterranean: fresh fish and seafood are prepared in all variations.

Sardines are often grilled over red-hot wood on the beach and served with salt and lemon.

accommodation

There are a large number of overnight accommodations in San José, but they are almost always occupied in the high season and the prices are accordingly. Finding a place to stay is easier in the off-season.

Hotels and hostels

• The Albergue Juvenil de San José, Cerro Enmedio s / n, San José, Tel. 34 950 380166, is a community-owned youth hostel. Room with bunk beds for 2 to 8 people, common room with TV. Open from April to September and over Christmas. Sometimes occupied by groups, reserve in advance. Overnight stay per person around € 10.

camping

• Camping Cabo de Gata / Ctra. Cabo de Gata / Cabo de Gata, Tel. 34 950 160443
• Camping Tau, Calahiguera, s / n, San José, Tel. 34 950 380166 (closed in winter)
• Cabo de Gata Camper Park, Paraje El Nazareno Ctra. de San José km 6, Nijar, Tel. 34 673821888
• Camping Los Escullos, Paraje Los Escullos, Nijar, Tel. 34 950 389811
• Camping La Caneta, Cala del Cuervo, Nijar, Tel. 34 950 525237
• Camping El Quinto, Ctra Mojácar-Turre, Mojácar, tel. 34 950 478704
• Camper Park El Rancho (RV park), AL 510S / Paraje la Hoica, Carboneras, 34 6666561133

security

You should always take a supply of water with you when you go hiking or cycling. The temperatures rise well over 30 ° C in summer and there is no shade, you are always exposed to the blazing sun. Adequate protection from the sun must also be ensured to avoid heat strokes.

The dry watercourses ramblas, can be very dangerous. They lie dry all year round and only fill up in heavy thunderstorms. Then there are tidal waves that carry everything with them and wash them into the sea. The rain can come down far away, so the tidal waves come as a complete surprise. That is why camping and staying overnight in the Ramblas is strictly forbidden.

Medical help

• Emergencies Tel. 34 061
• Red Cross, Tel. 34 950 257166
• Alcazaba ambulance, tel. 34 950 255730
• Emergency ambulance Abraham, Tel. 34 950 624840
• Health Center Nijar, tel. 34 950 360278
• San José Health Center, tel. 34 950 380381
• San Isidro Health Center, tel. 34 950 366506
• Campohermoso Health Center, tel. 34 950 386798
• Carboneras Health Center, tel. 34 950 130424

Pharmacies

• Níjar, Avda. F. Garcia Lorca, 56, Tel. 34 950 380200
• San José, c / Correos s / n., Tel. 34 950 380087
• San Isidro, road Iryda s / n., Tel. 34 950 366009

trips

• The nearby provincial capital Almeria with the Moorish fortress Alcazaba
• The nature park Sierra Nevada

literature

• Marga Morales Molina (author), Jaume Serrat Comerma (author), Lucas Vallecillos Molero (author), Susanne Engler (translator): Cabo de Gata-Níjar: villages and hamlets, beaches and coves, walks, bike routes and car routes: practical guide. Triangle Postals, S.L., 2007, ISBN 978-8484783015 , P. 128 (German).
• Cabo de Gata 1: 50,000 hiking map. Editorial Alpina, ISBN 9788480902908 . Marked hiking trails, contour lines, UTM grids and hiking guides (Spanish / English)

Web links

• Overview maps scale 1: 45,000 from 2005
  • Map A (southwest) (5402 Kb)
  • Map B (northeast) (8234 Kb)