Sports and activities in Orihuela Costa

1. Scuba diving

For both professional and qualified divers as for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, Orihuela Costa seabed meets without a doubt the expectations of the most demanding. Seabeds and sea banks filled with marine vegetation with endless nooks and crannies to discover. Its steep sea banks allow the experts and the more adventurous to practice underwater free fall. The possibilities are vast; enjoy the grandeur of the sea. For the less experts in the field, even for families who want to enjoy a day out, just pick up your goggles, fins and snorkel and discover the beauty of Orihuela's beautiful waters. There is no age limit, but it is always advisable to go to the snorkeling schools and scuba diving facilities in the area and receive advice from the experts.

2. Sailing

With two marinas and specialized sailing schools, sailing has become one of the most popular sports in this coastal area. Not only for the unbeatable installations available but also due to its benevolent all year round climate and its gentle sea breezes. For those interested there are courses for beginners and for the more advanced there are courses available where you will be trained to become a skipper (yacht/boat). To practice this sport it should be remembered that it is necessary to use adequate protective clothing and always abide by the security measures advised.

3. Surf – Windsurf - Kitesurf

The best beaches and most specialized schools for practicing all sorts of sailing sports on the Orihuela Costa. Surfing, a water sport in which coordination and balance is required, where the surfer rides the waves on a surfboard. One of its modalities is windsurfing, which involves moving through the water on a board with a sail. Kitesurfing, a relatively new variation of surfing is becoming widely popular. This variation combines ski, surf, wakeboard and free style. The kitesurfer is propelled across the water by the wind. It is always advisable to check on weather conditions before practicing this sport and also verify if permission is required for kitesurfing on the beach you have chosen. To practice the various options available it is advisable to have all the necessary material and clothing, if not, there are shops in the village dedicated to this sector where you will be able to purchase all that you require. Another option is to take advantage of the schools available in the area where in addition to having all suitable material for practicing these sports, they can also provide courses for all levels. All of them are located at the marinas or on the promenades of Orihuela Costa. If in addition to practicing any of these sports, you want the younger members of the family to enjoy windsurfing some day, come along to the Yacht Club Marina Cabo Roig where you will find the famous Aqualide that can be used to test their balance.

4. Kayacs - Canoe

A different way of navigating is with a kayak, a sport that can be practiced from an early age and ideal for a fun day out with your family or with a group of friends. From the Yacht Club Marina CaboRoig you can rent single or double kayaks by the hour or for a few days. A very interesting choice for those days when the sea is calm, because it allows you to get closer to the small coves on the Orihuela Costa. A rocky coastline full of great environmental and ecological value. Another option is to practice canoeing down the river Segura, be adventurous with a group of friends. An experience that takes you through the Ribera forest, where you can take in its wildlife or just watch the fishermen that still cast their nets in this area near to the sea.

5. Jet ski

Enjoy the speed on the sea on a jet ski. If you're a professional, the water is waiting for you. Otherwise, don't worry, you can easily learn on the water circuits designed for this purpose under the supervision of the professionals, who will unveil the secrets to this fun sport.

Golf, sun and sand, a combination that makes Orihuela the perfect location for golfing. Fourteen nearby courses make the Hotel Servigroup La Zenia the ideal place to combine sport in a great holiday destination. Find out in the following video: watch video.

Given the wide range and quality of existing courses in the area, you can choose the physiognomy of the route that best suits the golfers profile, satisfying the needs of the most demanding players.

Courses in Orihuela area

1. Real Club de Golf Campoamor

Considered one of the best courses in the Mediterranean, which hosts annually a competition named after HRH D. Juan de Borbón Count of Barcelona. Designed by Gregorio Sanz and Carmelo García and opened in 1988, this offers beautiful surroundings with difficult courses for experienced players and simpler for the learners. The course is located in a beautiful natural setting formed by two valleys surrounded by hills and lush greenery, with a distance of 6277 metres and 18 holes, par 72.

2. Las Colinas

Enjoy a unique experience in Las Colinas, a place to play and rest and enjoy a wonderful day. The golf course is situated in a valley between hills, with wide fairways, large greens, and numerous tees on each hole, suitable for important competitions. This course is entertaining and fun. The course has 18 holes par 71 and also has a golf academy, putting green, approach area and driving range of natural grass.

3. La Marquesa Golf

A comfortable course located in a flat valley between the mountains, and sheltered by a microclimate. La Marquesa has an uncomplicated layout without excess difficulties being a flat broad and spacious course, alternating long and short holes.

Fairways are non sloping and fairly easy but the green probably present the most challenge with prominent sleeps and undulations although they are quite large and clearly visible. The course has numerous bunkers and 4 water hazards, three of which can play a decisive role in each round.

Overall the course is not excessively demanding although here are some tough holes to contend with.

4. La Finca Golf

One of the modern and most innovative courses in the region, with a spectacular layout, and was designed to host top competitions. The course has 19 holes, one of which is always reserved on standby for unforeseen circumstances Fairways are not too much of a problem, being broad, long and with out too much of a slope.

The most attractive challenge are the greens, which are unique in the area being well designed, original and presenting lots of variety, most raised above the fairways. There are numerous bunkers and most water hazards are in the central area of the course. Overall the course is well balanced and demands great technical ability.

5. Las Ramblas

Located in a hilly area in the depths of a valley, this is a medium size length course, complicated with natural obstacles and the characteristic river bed terrain and water hazards making this a challenging course requiring a high level of skills. Fairways are comfortable except for the tree lined rough and sloping terrain. Greens are small with pronounced contours and slopes, but require precision due to the influence of breezes and out of bound areas. There are only 12 bunkers as the course makes more of the natural obstacles.

Few courses in the region require so much precision, due to the difficulties presented by the natural obstacles.

6. Lo Romero Golf

Lo Romero is a special golf course, carefully designed and adapted to the Mediterranean landscape and vegetation, making it very pleasant to play here. The 18th hole has a green that is an island in the middle of a lake.

It seems a simple shot just crossing the lake however the fear of a shot too long or too short ending up I the water, adds to the adrenalin as you are before a stimulating challenge

7. Club de Gold Villamartín

This is the oldest course in the region, designed to adapt the irregularity of the landscape.

It is located in the lowest area of a valley with few undulations but with a lot of variety.

The fairways are broad and comfortable and there are not too many hazards except for the green approaches. The greens have the only undulations on the course, they are smooth and fast protected by bunkers on the course, making them quite tough. The course can be played well by most players regardless of handicap.

8. Vistabella Golf

Vistabella golf has convenient facilities and easy access to all areas of the complex. It has an interesting design combining all the holes on a 18 holes course. The course is designed adapting to different each player’s level. The 11 holes allow golfers to play 18 holes, Par 73. It has been designed according to the principles of a modern course, with 4 spacious tees for each hole, wide fairways and raised bunkers. Its integration into its natural surrounding and responsible use of resources have made Vistabella golf more than just a golf course, achieving a unique landscape with more than 34 hectares covered in autochthonous species of Mediterranean trees and bushes.

Courses in Murcia

1. El Valle Golf

El Valle Golf Resort is a desert course demanding accuracy, not power. A medium-length, par 71 golf course, is situated in a beautiful natural desert valley.

The golf course has been created with grouped holes to offer a more open and natural golf experience and, rather than length, the course relies on numerous subtle strategic elements to challenge golfers. Players are rewarded for daring and courageous shots.

El Valle Golf Resort features clusters of smaller, more subtly shaped bunkers and takes full advantage of its desert setting with numerous holes playing adjacent to naturally existing rock-outcroppings and ridges. To further enhance the desert theme, the golf course will be landscaped with many species of native shrubs, grasses and other desert plants. Complemented with a number of water features, including two lakes and two elaborate stream and waterfall systems, this is the perfect course for developing any player’s strategy.

2. Hacienda del Alamo

An amazing golf course which is a design masterpiece of work by Dave Thomas, who can proudly say that this is a no limits design where the golf course was the key factor. It is considered one of the best courses in Europe.

3. Roda Golf

A golf course with construction specifications are to the highest standards.

Dave Thomas has cleverly shaped the previously flat landscape into an interesting and undulating golfing terrain that is pleasing to the eye and provides an interesting and challenging test of golf. The design incorporates 3 strategically located lakes and a great deal of emphasis has also been placed on integrated tree planting and landscaping. The overall result is a course we are sure you will enjoy and it is our intention to further develop all aspects of Roda Golf and Beach Resort to create one of the best all round facilities in Spain.

4. La Torre Golf Resort

A fun course for novices and experts alike The La Torre Golf Resort golf course is the second Jack Nicklaus project in Nicklaus Golf Trail, the only circuit of its size in the world. Open since the middle of 2006, it covers over 55 hectares in spite of being a par 68. The strategically placed bunkers ensure players are kept entertained.

La Torre Golf Resort features over five hectares of elaborately sculpted bunkers which help separate the holes, create strategic interest and added shot values. Of important note is the intelligent sprinkler system which can tell when a part of the course needs watering, thereby saving water. All this is bathed by three lakes and accompanied by lush surroundings. The shorter length of La Torre Golf Resort makes the golf course more playable for the average to higher-handicap players. At the same time, La Torre Golf Resort incorporates a great deal of strategy, so when played from the back tees, the course will still be interesting to experienced players who will enjoy the wide variety of shots required to successfully play the course. Complete with a full-feature practice facility, La Torre Golf Resort is, without a doubt, a must for all golfers.

5. La Serena Golf

La Serena Golf lies in the municipality of Los Alcázares, next to Mar Menor. Mainly flat, the golf course's main difficulties will be the prevailing levante wind and the many water hazards in 16 of the 18 holes. The course has a traditional structure. Accuracy off the tee is a must for the player, who must thread his way to the green amongst clusters of bunkers, desert areas and water hazards.

There is a large club house with all facilities and services. Also a large bar cafeteria overlooking the course and Mar Menor and A La Carte restaurant.

The municipal district of Orihuela, surrounded by the mountains of Orihuela and Hurchillo, has various natural landscapes in which it is possible to practice hiking through short routes, which are perfectly designed. From the peaks of these mountains, a magnificent panoramic view of the Vega Baja region becomes the focal point of the moment.

The palmeral

This area declared of cultural interest lies to the northeast corner of the town, it's near to the neighborhood of San Anton and at the base of San Miguel Mount next to the Sierra de Orihuela and the Cerro de Oriolet.

The site presents a landscape contrast for its palm grove and the steep grounds that surround it. The origin of this peculiar spot and its beauty goes back to the Islamic period, leaving in heritage archaeological sites such as the castle next to the peak of San Miguel, from which you can see the Segura River.

The hiker can access this route via Collado de Oriolet.

Sierra de Hurchillo

This mountain range is nestled between the towns of Arneva and Hurchillo and is one of the most important characteristics located to the right bank of the Segura River.

In this landscape dominated by cliffs, strange rocks appear with wavy marks that reflect the footprint of the marine currents. The sandstone and limestone fossils are dominating features.

The route through this area leads to the top of the Sierra de Hurchillo on which the television and mobile phone receptors are located.

To the right of the cemetery, in Hurchillo, you should take the tarmaced road and when you reach the river transfer, cross the bridge, entering into an area dominated by pine trees, which will continue for the rest of the journey to the top of the hill. Once you have reached the peak, you can take in the views of the Segura valley and on sunny days the river mouth.

• Lenght: 3 km
• Duration: 45 min
• Dificulty level: Low

Vista de pájaro - Monte de San Miguel

This route runs through part of an ancient Islamic pathway which connects to the Diocesan Seminary of San Isidro. From this spot, via Collado Oriolet, we reach the Palm Grove of Orihuela which is situated in the San Anton's neighborhood.

Along the route we will visit the old town with the churches of Monserrate and Santiago, as well as the famous neighborhood of Rabaloche and Las Espenetas Mount. By taking the path on the West slope of the mount, you can also see the contact between the sediments of the lower part of the Sierra de Orihuela and the alluvial plain of the Segura River.

• Lenght: 1 km
• Duration: 30 min
• Dificulty level: Low

Sotos del río

The Segura River begins its journey in Orihuela, close to the spot Las Norias and runs about 40 km until it reaches the river mouth in Guardamar del Segura. The route passes through the Huerta of Orihuela following the riverbed of the river Segura.

Throughout the trip, the hiker can contemplate the beautiful mountain range scenery with its great peaks from left to right.

A feasible route that emerges between the summits is the Pico de Aguila (Eagles Point), which runs between the rock of Orihuela (633 meters) and the Cross of the Grindstone (464 meters). This is the dividing spot between Las Norias at the end of the province of Murcia and you follow the path to the right side of the river, except in the stretches between the water transfer pipes and the town of Orihuela.

• Longitud: 10 km
• Duración: 3 hours
• Dificultad: Low

Cruz de la muela

A prominent uneven mountain range that contrasts with the plains of the Segura River. Its highest point is the rock of Orihuela but the Cruz de la Muela is also of importance. .

The route begins at the Shrine of Nuestra Señora del Pilar. To reach this point, the hiker takes the Orihuela road to Santomera (CV-868). From here, walk over to the Montepinar urbanization and turn right by the Carril de las Murcias. Reaching La Coruña Street, go right and continue through Orense Street, where you then go left and walk to the end. Immediately cross the Alicante Street where you arrive at a small ravine where the route continues.

From Montepinar urbanization you ascend the indicated path. It runs through the northern part of the mountain range to reach a base where there is a sign that indicates the location, Punto II de Senda la Muela. Five minutes later, it reaches the Cruz de la Muela, which is recognized by an enormous metal cross at the top.

Next, is the commencement of the Cruz de la Muela – Peña de Orihuela section. For this, the hiker returns to the base and continues along the ridge in a westerly direction towards the Peña de Orihuela. Further on, the trail splits and the hiker takes the path on the left to descend to the south of the mountain range and finds the sign Paso del Gato, quite an uneven and steep area in which the hiker has to climb in order to ascend. After this area, the path forks again and the hiker branches off to the left and ascends again until he reaches the ravine of La Sendas, which he later descends. Now, the hiker carries on along the path until the Peña de Orihuela or Leja Millamon, the highest point of the tour with 634 meters.

To return to the starting point of the route, we descend the crossroads of the ravine Las Sendas. The path filled with pine trees, surrounds the ravine until you reach a track cultivated with orange and lemon trees. Finally, after passing through several irrigation ponds, we reach the sanctuary again.

• Lenght: 17,1 km
• Duration: 5 hours
• Dificulty level: High

Salinas de la Mata (Torrevieja)

The route begins at the car park of the Nature Reserves visitors centre, situated in the old forest house in the district of La Mata (Torrevieja), which is located at point 64.5 km of the Alicante-Cartagena road.

It is recommended that you go into the visitors center to develop a better understanding of the area which you are about to explore, because there is a wide range of information available. After the visit, the journey commences in a westerly direction by the so-called wine route as it runs between old vineyards. After a short while, you come to a junction between the vineyards and turn right taking the path filled with eucalyptus trees.

The route continues north on a dirt track which descends slightly, seeking the shade of the eucalyptus. After a short while, we reach the Canal de Las Salinas or El Acequion, where the sea water from the beach of Torrelamata enters. On reaching the canal, we turn left in a south-westerly direction, giving almost half a turn. At this point the road runs very close to the salt flats and from the viewpoint Mirador de la Cigüeñuela. The hiker is completely absorbed in the beauty and silence which the area transmits, contemplating the vegetation and waterfowl.

After taking in the views, we return in a westerly direction. The next stop is La Pinada, an area filled with pine trees where there is a picnic area and a view point. The journey then continues toward the next observatory, El Zampullín, a trail that passes through a mini reservation of flora and another view point very close to the edge of the lagoon.

Finally, the hiker arrives at the Canal de Las Salinas, which connects the lagoon La Mata with the one of Torrevieja (very close by is the CV-905 road next to a roundabout). If you have a car, the route ends here. On the other hand, it is possible to return via the same route or opt for the trail which skirts to the right and runs through the houses of the El Chaparral district.

At the end of the pine grove you take the direction to the left and after passing the cemetery, you arrive at the visitor's centre, the place where your journey started.

• Lenght: 13,6 km
• Duration: 4 hours
• Dificulty level: Low