Tour of the Santa Pola salt flats

Return to the starting point at the entrance to the Salt Museum on Avenida Zaragoza.

(S/E) Begin the route by entering the park via the path leading to the salt museum. Turn right at the museum, towards the park exit and the petrol station. At the roundabout, turn left to join the GR® 232, which runs alongside the CV-865. Pass in front of the campsite.

(1) Take the dirt track on the left that leads into the salt flats. Walk past the municipal stadium on your right.
Note: the path may be wet or even slightly flooded. Continue straight ahead, passing an abandoned building, then some signposts. Continue along a long stretch to reach the CV-851 road.

(2) Take the cycle path on the left that runs alongside the CV-851 road for just over 1 km until you reach the entrance to a path on the left.

(3) Turn onto this path, walk alongside a field of olive trees, then pomegranate trees. Reach the Cami dels Pescadors crossroads and pass between two properties.

(4) Continue straight ahead, passing in front of a field of orange trees. You will reach a four-way crossroads and a private farm and hunting ground called El Patanet de Irles.

(5) Leave the main path here and continue straight ahead along a small path. Walk alongside the greenhouses on your right, following the GR® markings indicated by several wooden posts. You will reach the Cami del Linde crossroads.

(6) Take this path on the left and, following a straight section, you will reach the Cami de Santafé crossroads.

(7) Turn left onto this path. Walk alongside the canal, then past a few properties, until you reach the CV-853 road.

(8) Turn left to cross the small bridge over the canal. Continue along the dirt track, parallel to the CV-853 road. Pass Finca Santa Fe. Cross a canal on the bridge opposite Cafe Bar Iris and a bus stop. Continue for a few metres before crossing another bridge.

(9) Leave the road by turning immediately left after the bridge. Please note: do not turn left before crossing the bridge. Continue along the path that runs alongside the road on the right (but gradually moves away from it) and the canal on the left. You will arrive at the wooden signposts.

(10) Turn right, follow the signs for Torre del Pinet and the markings. Cross to the other side of the salt flats and you will see Santa Pola in the distance on your right. Continue along this small path winding through the rushes and you will come to a wooden bridge.

(11) Leave the rushes on the right and walk along the edge of a property before climbing slightly towards a tarmac road.

(12) Turn left onto this road, which is a service road running alongside the N-332. Continue until you reach a roundabout.

(13) Follow the signs for Torre del Pinet on the right. Pass under the N-332, then cross the slip road to join a road that runs alongside the N-332 on the right. Take care here as it is a dangerous crossing with poor visibility. Turn left, then immediately right onto the white gravel path. Continue to the salt marsh crossroads.

(14) Here you have two options:
- keep right on the GR®232 towards Torre del Pinet, join it, then follow the beach to rejoin the beach path,
- continue to the left, which is the route shown on the map, cross the Salines del Pinet, and reach the dunes and a path lined with wooden railings and marked El Pinet. Pass by an observation post, then continue straight on to the beach.

(15) Take the beach on the left and you will come to a small dyke.

(16) Cross it and continue along the beach. Important note: ignore the Prohibido el paso signs , as they refer to the farm on the right. Continue to the mouth of the Río Vinalopo.

(17) Cross this small river by taking off your shoes and rolling up your trousers. It is best to cross slightly to the right, near the sea, where the water is shallower. At its deepest point, the water reaches above the knees. Once you have crossed, continue along the beach until you reach the Gola les Salines lock.

(18) Pass it and continue along Playa del Tamara. At Gabarra Varada, leave the beach and enter Santa Pola via the Urbanitzacio del Tramarit neighbourhood.

(19) Take the straight road opposite, parallel to the beach, which is still the GR®232, to reach the Gran Platja crossroads.

(20) Turn left to go up towards the stadium. Go through a roundabout. Continue straight ahead for a few metres, then take Avenida de Zaragoza on the right to reach the Salt Museum car park (S/E).

Wear waterproof footwear as the path can be a little wet in places, or even flooded depending on the season.
You may also want to bring a swimsuit and/or towel: the last part of the route runs along the beach for 8 km between points (15) and (20). You can go for a swim.
Bring a snack and water, as there are no places to buy food or drink along the way. The ideal place to take a break is between (14) and (15) at a small lookout hut, or just after (15) when you reach the beach. This will give you a chance to recharge your batteries before tackling the grand finale along the beach.
If you prefer tapas, instead of cutting through the salt flats (14), leave the trail and continue straight on the GR®-232 after the point (14), following the Torre del Pinet markers. This small detour adds about 2.5 km to your journey but will take you past Playa del Pinet with its small beachfront casetas and a few restaurants. Once you have rested, simply turn left along the beach towards Santa Pola to reach the point (15) and rejoin the route.

(S/E) You can visit the salt museum if it is open (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
(17) The Río Vinalopo, which flows into the sea and which you will cross by rolling up your trousers, is the river that comes from Elche and passes through the Elche dam. Another beautiful walk to do in the area.