Today you travel to the former fishing village of Agua Amarga, where your programme begins. Your accommodation is right by the beach, a white-washed hotel built in the typical style of Southern Spain with terraced gardens and views to the bay.

You start off the week with a choice of walks. 

The first involves a steep ascent up to Mesa de Roldán, where you follow a path along an abandoned railway line with sweeping views to the sea. 

Challenge: 3 hrs, 10.5 km, 290 m ascent/ descent.

The section option begins with an inland stroll to an ancient olive tree. Then you hike toward the coast to explore the typical steppe-like habitat of “los espartales”, where esparto grass once thrived in bizarre and seemingly inhospitable conditions.

Challenge: 4 hrs, 13 km, 230 m ascent/ descent. 

From Agua Amarga you hike south, first on inland paths then along the coast to reach Rodalquilar. You’ll pass the characteristic dry riverbeds called “ramblas” and follow them down to hidden coves, where lush greenery creates surprising oases in the desert. Your route takes in the lovely bay (and quirky hippy colony) at Las Negras and the stunning beach at El Playazo. 

Challenge: 7 hrs, 21 km, 530 m ascent, 500 m descent. 

The Rambla de la Granadilla winds through barren hills, a fertile path with a different type of vegetation. Palms and oleanders, reeds, fig trees and poplar groves with views to the Sierra in the distance. You will pass the infamous Cortijo del Fraile, site of the tragic events which inspired Federico García Lorca’s great work, “Bodas de Sangre”. Here the remains of now-extinct mining activities survive among rocky landscapes in splendid earth tones. Option of stopping to visit the Casa de los Volcanes (House of the Volcanoes) and gorgeous botanical garden.

Challenge: 4,5-5 hors, 15.8 km, 320 m ascent/ descent.

Today’s route traverses areas of eroded lava rock studded with dwarf palm trees to reach imposing extinct volcanoes. Along the way you will pass ancient Moorish water systems, wild olive groves and deep gorges, leaving the desert behind and gazing toward the Mediterranean beyond. In the afternoon, the route circles back to the hotel in Rodalquilar. 

Challenge: 6 hrs, 19 km, 410 m ascent/ descent. 

This walk follows the cliffs through an unspoilt area, where oases and palm groves emerge from among the dunes and bright white villages provide contrast to complete the picture. Dark sandy beaches and historic pirate hideaways lead to the next accommodation, in a charmingly authentic fishing village. Just inland, el Cerro de los Frailes, at 493m Cabo de Gata’s highest summit.

Challenge: 5 hrs, 19 km, 310 m asccent, 330 m descent. 

Today you will see the most popular of the area’s beaches as well as the secret coves which can only be reached on foot - Los Amarillos, Chica, Grande del Barranco, Lance de Perro, Playa del Barronal, Media Luna, Los Genoveses and Monsul. An adventurous and varied route with ever-changing views and a marvellous way to end your week in the Natural Park.

Challenge: 5,5 hrs, 17 km, 280 m ascent/ descent.