The village and outlying district of Zarzadilla de Totana in the municipality of Lorca

A picturesque village in the mountains on the road between Lorca and Bullas

Zarzadilla de Totana is a small village with around 500 residents in the “Tierras Altas” area of the vast municipality of Lorca, located on the MU-503 road which crosses the high ground between Lorca to the south and Bullas, Caravaca de la Cruz and Cehegín to the north.

It is also one of the 39 “diputaciones” of Lorca, which is sub-divided in this way due to its sheer size: covering an area of 1,675 square kilometres, it is the second largest municipality in Spain.

The village of Zarzadilla is at the foot of the mountains of Sierra de Pedro Ponce, one of the most mountainous areas of Lorca, and takes its name from the abundant “zarza” plants (brambles) which characterize the local vegetation. However, it is also home to plenty of vines, pines and almond trees, and grapes and almonds are a staple of the modest local economy.

The spectacular landscape of the area is perhaps best appreciated from the top of the Cabezo de la Cruz, and adventurous walkers can also make their way up to the Cerro de la Selva and the Morrón de Rivazuelo, the highest point in Lorca at an altitude of over 1,500 metres above sea level.

This is a great area for hiking and mountain biking, with a plethora of old paths which were created and used in past centuries so that locals could reach all areas of the mountains. These are now being recovered for hikers, and visitors will also be curious to see the 18^th century wash-house, which is still in use, and the aqueduct which helped to provide drinking water to the city of Lorca in the same century.

The patron saint of Zarzadilla is San Miguel, whose feast day is celebrated in the local fiestas on the last Friday of September, and three country routes (two for hikers and one for mountain-bikers) have been included in Lorca’s “Caminos del Sol” catalogue:

• The Cejo Colorado hiking route (17.6 km, approximately 5 and a half hours, medium-high level of difficulty) (click for further information)
• The Malvariche MTB mountain bike route (36 km at altitudes of between 500 and 860 metres above sea level))
• The Cabezo de la Cruz walk, suitable for families with children (6.5 km, 1 hour 50) (click here for further information)

Bars and restaurants

- Bar Los Nenes, Plaza Constitución, 19, 30814 Zarzadilla de Totana, telephone 653 280720.

- Local pensionista, Rivera de San Miguel, 2, 30814

Accommodation

- Casa Marsilla, telephone 868 701382

- Casa San Miguel, telephone 659 368393

Shops

- Comestibles Loli, Calle San Isidro

- Comestibles Inés, Calle Constitución

- El horno de Agus, Rivera de San Miguel, 5

Dispensing Chemist

Botiquín Abad, Calle Constitución, 5, telephone 968 494097

Places of interest

- 18^th-century wash-house

- 18^th-century aqueduct