Murcia, with its expanse of wilderness, mountains, coasts, cliffs and forests, offers plenty of opportunities for walking  holidays. There are many short half day walks or longer treks that you can take. Just a few minutes drive from Villa El Angel is the Sierra de la Pila National Park, a protected landscape of 8,836 hectres. It is a mountainous mass with a rough relief and steep slopes belonging to the betic mountain range that is made up of limestone, dolomites, sandstone, marls and gypsums. There are many walks throughout the park. An Information Centre is open to offer guidance and advice.

The park is split into two sectors that is divided by a precipice (Barranco del Mulo). The highest peaks (La Pila at 1,264m and Los Cenajos at 1,200m) are in the eastern area. From El Caramucel in the western area you have an astonishing panoramic view over the region. Nature, by way of erosion, has produced some spectacular scenery, the most outstanding is that suffered by the southern slope. 

The park has been declared a Special Protection Bird Area due to the large colony of red-billed chough that inhabit the landscape there, nesting inside the fissures and cavities in the rocks. There are many other species of birds that can be seen too: predatory birds such as the golden eagle, the eagle owl, goshawks, sparrowhawks, buzzards and falcons - all seeking their prey of chaffinches, finecrests, tits and blue tits.

In the abandoned crops and thickets, many other species survive such as the great grey shrike, the red-legged partridge and the warbler.

Smaller mammels such as the Algerian mouse, the Spanish shrew and the garden dormouse as well as the Eurasian badger have made the park their home.

The mountain range is also very rich in vegitation and you will find holm oaks and pines and a number of protected species in this region such as the European fan palm, the strawberry tree and the mastic tree, for example.

Scattered throughout the Park you will find some typical country cottages, though most of them are not lived in now, their settlements originating from the Arabic period. You will also find snow wells dating from the 17th - 18th century which were built to store snow during the shortage of rain. There are a number of preserved cave houses too, where you can gain a glimpse of what life was like for the inhabitants who lived in these homes in the not too distant past.

The ascent to the summit from the Cabezo de Turra refuge is recommended as it is a walk full of natural charm.

Just a little further away is the Sierra de Carche where you can enjoy a range of walks amongst rare flora and fauna, herbs and ancient snow wells. Or explore the dry river bed of the River Chicamo and find the source of water.

There is an extensive network of long distance walks throughout Spain, with a number crossing into Murcia. The GR 7, a long-distance footpath in Spain and  part of the network of Senderos de Gran Recorrido whih forms the westernmost part of the European walking route E4 that runs from Spain to Greece is not far from Villa El Angel.

The GR 7 is 2699km long and  was the first long distance footpath to be marked out in Spain. It was initiated in 1974 and  runs up the east side of peninsular Spain, but at some distance from the coast. From south-west to north-east, it runs through the Spanish regions of: Andalucía(from Tarifa to Puebla de Don Fadrique), Murcia (from Cañada de la Cruz to Torre del Rico), Valencia (from Pinoso to Fredes) and Catalonia (from Fredes to Andorra ). From Andorra, the E4 continues in France. Like all the Gran Recorrido paths, the GR 7 is marked with red and white waymarks.

Discover the beautiful Sierra de la Pila National Park

Spain is well known for producing some of the best cyclists in Europe and if you go out on the Murcian roads on any Sunday morning, you will see why. Cycling is a very popular sport, in groups as well as individually and the perfect time to visit is in the Spring and Autumn, outside of the main summer months when the weather is a little cooler. 

 The Sierra de la Pila National Park is an excellent venue for cycling. In Sierra de la Pila you can cycle through quiet country roads through idyllic pueblos and stunning countryside - a cycling dream for families as well as experienced riders.

The area is also fantastic for mountain biking, with miles and miles of off-road riding, from forest service tracks to single paths, together with great descents. The area should appeal to all types of mountain bikers and again there are many routes to follow in the neaby Sierra de la Pila National Park. The route from La Garapacha to Fuente la Higuera is well recommended - here you will find an information point pointing out some other interesting routes.