Hillside in the Lorca village of Doña Inés declared an environmental protection area

The Cerro del Tornajo is home to 640 species of plants and animals and a prehistoric archaeological site

The hill of El Cerro del Tornajo in the village of Doña Inés, in the vast highlands in the north of the municipality of Lorca, has been declared an environmentally protected area on account of the variety of the native flora and fauna.

The protected area amounts to some 920 hectares in a move which Mayor Fulgencio Gil Jódar describes as “a fundamental step to protect an area of great ecological value” as well as important part of local culture and heritage. The hill is home to the prehistoric site of El Tornajo and the cave of El Matao.

In all there are around 640 plant and animal species at the Cerro del Tornajo, 38 of which are classified as being at risk, Cabrera’s vole and the little bustard. Water courses include the ramblas of Prado Jerez and Clavijo, the natural springs of Don Juan Pedro, Los Sudaores and El Pocico, the wetlands of La Vareas and the El Tornajo aquifer.

In addition, the Caminos del Sol and Ruta del Argar hiking path pass through the area, and it is on the main Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and hiking route from Lorca, while at the same time walkers enjoy visiting the Cueva del Matao and various sub-volcanic rock formations as well as scattered archaeological and palaeontological sites.

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Image: Ayuntamiento de Lorca