Monastery etc

Hi,I'm over next week for 8 days and fancy a few days out to a few places I haven't been to yet.

I remember reading on here about a monastery nearby where you can eat also?

Also a restaurant where there are wild boars etc?

I'm going to try a quad-bike day I think at the Mariposa,but wondered if anyone could give me directions/details of these places plus any other other ideas for days out within driving distance??

Thanks for any info.

John  

The monastery is on the way to Aledo, and yes you can either have a snack there or the menu del dia. The place is lovely, a beautiful church set in fantastic grounds. Just past there is the road to the "Jesus" and along the way are all the 12 stations of the cross, beautiful sculptures set in the forest, but visible from the road, fantastic! We walked up there but you can drive up as well.  Also, if you carry on to Aledo, they have a tower there which you can climb up to see the fantastic views. The last time we went there was a sign saying to go to the town hall to get the key which we didn't do as we were running late.

With regards to the Wild Boar restaurant, we tried to find it last time and failed miserably! It's on the road to the Mariposa Hotel, but a turning off before; unfortunately my friend freaked out a bit as it was so high up and very twisty and turny so we had to turn round and come back. She was freaking out! I was the poor sod driving with her doing her nut in the back lol!

With regards to directions to the Mariposa, go into Alhama de Murcia, and then follow the signs for Mula. It's quite a way up the mountain, and again very twisty and turny, the hotel is on your right hand side. For better directions see their website  www.espuna-adventure.com/  Hope this helps.

Lynn

 I have link to La Santa on website   Lunch 4 course is 19 euros in  restaurant   , tapas bar good  , club sandwich good , good range of snacks. at low prices . They had a wedding there last time we went .

Yes, I'm sure that's the one.

For La Santa, the Sanctuary is a few minutes before Aledo and straight after the ‘2.8km to Aledo’ sign with a huge reddish building on right-hand side (the Hotel La Santa where you will park) turn immediately 1^st right almost back on yourself at the roundabout with statue and Hotel Angel just ahead (pink sign says right to Santa Eulalia and another sign says right to Hotel La Santa) and after 100 yards park in Hotel Santa car park. Restaurant is open every day and is down the steps past the cafeteria and inside the hotel – the 4 course menu del dia was around 12 euros when we ate there for lunch earlier this year (lunch served from 1pm and dinner from 8pm - children’s menu was 10 euros incl drinks). The Church is beautiful inside. The grounds of the Sanctuary very nice and peaceful. Walk up to the Statue of the Christ (or drive all the way up) and there's a viewing point there with a great vista (you can see Condado in the distance).

Aledo is also worth a visit. Recommend you park on outskirts of Aledo unless you have a small car due to narrow streets & one-way system. The Homage Tower, and Santa Maria Church next to it, are interesting and there is a wide vista of the surrounding area looking back at Toledo with Condado and Mazarron in the distance.

Just found the details for the Wild Boar Restaurant from this forum last August. Not sure if all the details are correct.

The Wild Boar Restaurant is in Fuente del Hilo which is in the centre of the Sierra espuna nature reserve, as 9 times out of 10 you will see the wild boar (The restaurant owner feeds them) go to Alhama de Murcia and follow the signs for Mula, after approx 5km turn left signposted El berro and Camping Sierra espuna, when you get to the top of the windy hill do not take the turning for El Berro but drive straight on into the park and follow the signs for 'Fuente del hilo' ....a great menu del dia at 8.50€.....booking advised which speaks for itself 968439223....

If you do go up there please let me know what it's like. I bet we weren't that far from it when we turned back, but by that time our friend who had freaked out had been standing on the side of the mountain with her husband for over 5 minutes whilst we looked for somewhere to turn round!
 

Lynn

Thanks for all the info.

I'm definitely doing the quads at the Mariposa,plus will try an afternoon at the monastery as well;sounds great.

If time permits I'll try and make the boar place also.

For info and if any interest to others I'll post details when I get back.

Ta again

John

Hi John

Have you been to the old fort also known as the guns of Mazarron, well worth a visit.

Bee

Hi Bee.

I have heard of it but haven't been there yet.

What are the directions from I take it the port??

Just an update,I've booked a 3 hour quad bike tour that starts at 3 o'clock;then a 4 course evening meal plus b&b.

All this 95e pp.A good thing they have is a number that you can ring from the uk for only 4p a minute,it means you can have everything sorted before you go.

I'll post details of the day when I come back for anyone interested.

John

Hi John

I'm in the UK just now so don't have the directions handy but from memory if you take the Mazarron norte exit and go through Mazarron as if you were going to Lidl turn left at the roundabout with the ships and head past Isla Plana towards La Azohia, but don't turn into La Azohia keep following the road until a sign on the right hand side to Campillo de Adentr. This road takes you on a windy narrow road similar to going up the Sierra Espuna (although I think it is slightly better) for probably about 12 km. Towards the summit there is a fork in the road so take the left hand turn as the right takes you up to a TV mast, and once you get to the guns you have to park up and be prepared to walk as the buildings go on for ages, and once you turn a corner you will see more buildings much further ahead. Just ignore any military do not enter signs as they are years old but the Guardia still patrol there but have always been very polite to us as lots of tourists visit. I think they stop and have their siesta and lunch as they always seem to be chilled out and talking on their mobiles.

I think the views from there are some of the most stunning that we have ever seen, there are beautiful views of the mountains and sea. We actually climbed into the guns as there is a hole in the metal panelling in the building under the guns if you take the left turn once in the building and we climbed up walls by using the original metal ladders attached to the walls. You'll need a torch as there is no daylight and you can see the mechanisms as they originally were, but if you're claustrophobic don't climb into the hole in the wall. You'll still need a torch even if you don't go underneath the guns as some of the buildings have steps and dark passageways and you don't want to trip over, and one last thing wear sensible flat shoes as there is lots of walking and climbing steps but well worth it.

Let's know how you get on John and enjoy your holiday.

Bee