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ROUTE 1. ARCHAEOLOGY UNDER THE SANDS Distance: 6.5 km walking (you can also cycle)Time needed: 3hr 30 min
Go to the MAG (Guardamar Archaeological Museum). Here, receive all the necessary information to understand the historical and cultural evolution of Guardamar’s archaeological heritage, with a full report in our Phoenician and Islamic cultures rooms. Further information will be added during your visit to the sites included on route, located in the Guardamar dunes system.
Please cross the town and climb to Guardamar Castle Hill. From this landmark have a look at all the Lower Segura River District, the surrounding mountain ranges, the island of Tabarca and some important peaks north of Alicante. This spectacular view of the territory is what has attracted so many settlers to the hilltop throughout history: Iberians, Phoenicians, Romans and Muslims left their mark here. However, it is the Christian town and citadel built here in the Middle Ages, what has left more information. There is little of what it was in sight. The 1829 earthquakes completely destroyed all the vestiges of this town and its fortress, with only the Bulwark Tower still standing.
Come down Guardamar Castle Hill and walk towards the pinewood, across town towards the sea. Walking less than 2 km inside this magnificent forest, reach a fenced Archaeological Park in the dunes; will all the necessary information. During this walk observe how the Reforestation Project was carried out on the dunes. The main species include the Aleppo and stone pines and, to a lesser extent, eucalyptus and palm trees.
Once you’ve reached the fenced enclosure you'll glimpse the two sites discovered under the sands: the Umayyad Caliphate Ribat, from the 10th-11th centuries AD; and the La Fonteta Phoenician City, from the 8th-6th centuries BC, both occupying the same site. These two archaeological sites confirm the relevance of Guardamar throughout history, in an area of plentiful environmental resources and a strategic situation controlling the sea and access to the River Segura.
On your way back, walk towards the sea strand and after a couple of km reach the forestry group known as the “Old Nursery”. This space has been traditionally used to provide trees and shrubs for reforestation. There is also a Forestry House, a building traditionally used to house the forestry guards. A covered barrel vault cistern collects rain water as drinking or irrigation water for the nursery. Last but not least, there is a 1945 stone bust of Engineer Francisco Mira.
The route ends in the Engineer Mira House Museum (Tourist Office), where you’ll be acquainted with a key character in Guardamar’s recent history, Engineer Francisco Mira Botella. A detailed explanation of the Guardamar Reforestation Project is on show. It will make you fully understand the history of the human made nature you've just witnessed. Duration: 1h32'08" Elements: 873 Length: 6.37km Avg Speed: 4.15km h Max Speed: 7.64km h Low: 1.60m High: 158m Gain: 175m