Caravaca working to create a 'green ring' cycle and pedestrian path

The 5-km “Anillo Verde” runs around the central built-up area of Caravaca de la Cruz

Work has been started by the Town Hall of Caravaca de la Cruz to create a “green ring” around the Holy City, consisting of a pedestrian and cycle path of over 5 kilometres running around most of the built-up area.

The budget for the project, which comes to 342,000 euros, has been financed entirely from European funds and includes the street lighting for the second section of the “Camino del Huerto” to the area commonly known as “Las Lápidas”, as confirmed by council dignitaries this week during a visit to the bridge over the Mayrena irrigation ditch, which has been built of wooden decking.

Mayor José Francisco García reiterates that the infrastructure will include natural and monumental areas such as the Palacio de los Uribe and the popular beauty spot of Las Fuentes del Marqués, while at the same time encouraging a less sedentary lifestyle among residents of Caravaca. The landscaping element of the path includes new plants and gardens, and the different kinds of illumination are being chosen to fit in with their surroundings.

Signposting and street furniture such as benches are also being installed, as are two recharging points for electric bicycles, each with a capacity of 10 bikes at any one time.

The route of the “Anillo Verde” includes various stretches alongside the irrigation channels of San Jerónimo and El Nevazo, known as the “Caminos Rojos”. It begins at the old Murcia road, crossing the new bridge to the Palacio de los Uribe (Museo de Fiesta and Welcoming Centre for Pilgrims during this Jubilee Year), the firefighters’ HQ, the Buenavista area, Mayrena, El Copo, Fuentes del Marqués and then the stretch which links the Camino de Mayrena with the Camino Viejo de Archivel, ending at Argos. In future it is envisaged that it will be lengthened to begin at the old railway station.

For more local information, including the Holy Jubilee Year as well as local news and what’s on, go to the home page of Caravaca Today.