For those who’d like to get their heart rate up while also running by historic sites to hilltop castles,the Castillo de Galeras & Castillo de la Atalaya trails are memorable. These are two separate routes.
Subida Castillo de Galeras & Other Peninsula Sites
Just west of the port is a hilly peninsula overlooking the city of Cartagena and its harbor. One great running option is on the road up Monte Galeras to the Castillo. Access the Subida Castillo de Galeras from the Puenta Navantia, a small bridge across the canal in the Navantia shipyard area — not far from the port area (you can run there from the port, ~2 km, using the road along the canal). The trail is more of a road that is also used by cars (but fine for pedestrians), rising 130m over 2.8 km to the Castillo. Your climb is rewarded by great city & water views from this historic mountaintop site.
Subida Castillo de Galeras. Google Street View
There’s also nice running on the eastern side of the peninsula. It’s 2.3 km from the Subida trailhead to the Navidad Lighthouse (faro), passing by the Playa del Espalmador (beach). You can also run to to the 12-century Bateria San Juan de la Podadera (at the southern tip of the peninsula. It’s 2.8 km from the Subida trailhead, passing by the Fajardo Castle, a fort, and a couple of scenic viewpoints. A full ‘loop’ of the eastern side can be ~8 km (very hilly!).
Subida Castillo de la Atalaya
Castillo de la Atalaya (Castle of La Atalaya) is another hilltop climb to a castle. Subida al Castillo de La Atalaya is a steep concrete path climbing 180m over 1.5 km to the hilltop castle. There are great views the whole way, and a true reward from the top. The trail is accessed from Ctra. Atalaya on the western side of the canal in Barrio de la Concepción.
Subida Castillo de la Atalaya. Google Street View
For those who’d like to get their heart rate up while also running by historic sites to hilltop castles,the Castillo de Galeras & Castillo de la Atalaya trails are memorable. These are two separate routes.
Subida Castillo de Galeras & Other Peninsula Sites
Just west of the port is a hilly peninsula overlooking the city of Cartagena and its harbor. One great running option is on the road up Monte Galeras to the Castillo. Access the Subida Castillo de Galeras from the Puenta Navantia, a small bridge across the canal in the Navantia shipyard area — not far from the port area (you can run there from the port, ~2 km, using the road along the canal). The trail is more of a road that is also used by cars (but fine for pedestrians), rising 130m over 2.8 km to the Castillo. Your climb is rewarded by great city & water views from this historic mountaintop site.
Subida Castillo de Galeras. Google Street View
There’s also nice running on the eastern side of the peninsula. It’s 2.3 km from the Subida trailhead to the Navidad Lighthouse (faro), passing by the Playa del Espalmador (beach). You can also run to to the 12-century Bateria San Juan de la Podadera (at the southern tip of the peninsula. It’s 2.8 km from the Subida trailhead, passing by the Fajardo Castle, a fort, and a couple of scenic viewpoints. A full ‘loop’ of the eastern side can be ~8 km (very hilly!).
Subida Castillo de la Atalaya
Castillo de la Atalaya (Castle of La Atalaya) is another hilltop climb to a castle. Subida al Castillo de La Atalaya is a steep concrete path climbing 180m over 1.5 km to the hilltop castle. There are great views the whole way, and a true reward from the top. The trail is accessed from Ctra. Atalaya on the western side of the canal in Barrio de la Concepción.
Subida Castillo de la Atalaya. Google Street View
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Essentials
Castillo de Galeras: 5.6 km (3.5 miles) out & back; La Atalya: 3 km (2 miles) out & back
Castillo de Galeras: 145m (476 feet); La Atalya: 178m (552 feet)
An enjoyable run on a wide waterfront promenade between Los Cuarteros and Santiago de la Ribera. There are open views of the Mar Menor and a festive scene. Also in this area is the Camino Quintin, a scenic 4.2 km dyke path.
La Manga is a 21 km seaside spit separating the Mediterranean Sea from the Mar Menor lagoon from Cabo de Palos to the Punta del Mojón. The best running in the area is a scenic 5.6 km loop around Cabo de Palos, passing coves & beaches with great sea views.
Scenic run on a coastal promenade path in Los Alcázares, a coastal spa town and former fishing village on the western side of the Mar Menor. The wide, palm-lined path runs for 5.6 km from Playa de la Concha north to Playa de Palo.
A 'runseeing' tour of Casco Antiguo section of the port city of Cartagena, known for its Roman ruins. Includes the Teatro Romano, Castillo de la Concepción, port area, old city walls, Cuesta del Batel, and a running track.
In Bolnuevo, known for its eroded sandstone formations and famous "mushroom rocks", there's nice running on a ~3 km boardwalk and then a runnable section of the Camino de las Calas, a wide gravel path along the coast to almost Playa de Percheles.
Águilas is a coastal town at the southwestern end of the Costa Cálida, known for its numerous beaches. There's nearly 6 km of running on a waterfront promenade/sidewalk, with good beach & water views. We've added the 0.5 km Tunel del embarcadero del Hornillo.
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Essentials
Castillo de Galeras: 5.6 km (3.5 miles) out & back; La Atalya: 3 km (2 miles) out & back
Castillo de Galeras: 145m (476 feet); La Atalya: 178m (552 feet)
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!