Waterwheel Route in Abarán

Most waterwheels in the Region of Murcia are located along the Ricote valley, near the Segura river and the irrigation ditches. Outside the Ricote Valley there are still two waterwheels in service, one in Alcantarilla and the other in La Ñora (Murcia). These genius creations from the Arab period were used, some still are, to lift water and irrigate nearby lands. The trip we propose here will take you to the 5 waterwheels in Abarán.

 

The waterwheel route of Abarán is a relaxing, fun walk through parks, orchards and gardens near the river. Suitable for children. The five waterwheels in Abarán are, in the order you will find them during the route, the following: Candelón, La Ñorica, Noria Grande, Hoya de D. García and Félix Cayetano.

 

The route starts with a walk down to the Segura river. After parking, you quickly find a trail running parallel to the river which you should walk upstream, along a gorgeous area known as “Parque Presa El Jarral” in which a waterfall and the beauty of the Segura river are the highlights. Continuing on the trail, you will cross under an iron bridge to get to the Municipal Park. At that point, you can continue walking along the trail next to the Segura river or go through the park to get to the bar-restaurant La Barraca.

 

When you get to the crossing over the river, go across to visit the Candelón and La Ñorica waterwheels on the other side. Some 100 meters after the crossing you will find on our right the Candelón waterwheel, still in use. Around 200 meters later on the left you will find the Ñorica waterwheel, which is no longer in use. To get to the last two waterwheels, get back over the crossing. Continuing on the trail, some 200 meters on the right, you will see on top of the Municipal Park of¨Abarán the majestic Noria Grande waterwheel, still in use. In addition to enjoying the waterwheel, you can take a few pictures because the area is really nice.

Back on the trail, you will first walk between the mountain and the river, on the pass under which Blanca irrigation ditch waters flow. This is certainly one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Segura River. The trail continues to the Hoya de Don García waterwheel through orchards, allowing walkers to enjoy the smell of lemon trees, roses and tangerine trees and the peace of silence, broken from time to time by the cheerful chirping of birds.

 

Take the same route to get to the starting point. The route described has a length of 7.6 kilometers. If you decide to walk a bit longer on the trail running next to the Parraletta restaurant, 400 meters later you will find kind of hidden among the houses of the countryside, the Félix Cayetano waterwheel, which is no longer in use.

 

Get directions:

From Murcia, take the A-30 for Albacete-Madrid. Get off towards Abarán (exit 107). Right before getting to Abarán, take a left in the roundabout, driving on the Abarán beltway -known as Avenida del Río Segura- until you get to another roundabout. Take the road to Blanca (RM-514). 100 meters on the right you will find the parking space of the Parraletta restaurant, perfect for eating or drinking after the route. If in the last roundabout you continue on the beltway, you also have the option of parking in the desginated area of El Jarral Park.

 

Characteristics of the route:

Start: Parque El Jarral Parking Area  End: Félix Cayetano Waterwheel  Route: Linear

Distance: 8.4 Km    Duration: 2h, 30m    Difficulty: Easy     Slope: 40m

 

Itinerary: Parque El Jarral parking area, Parque el Jarral, Municipal Park, Candelón waterwheel, La Ñorica waterwheel, Noria Grande waterwheel, Hoya de Don García waterwheel, Félix Cayetano waterwheel