Salinas de Poniente

A combination of footpaths is used for this trail; the GR-92 and the “Salinas de Cerrillos” Natural Reserve Public Footpath.

It starts at Avenida de Cerrillos. Next to the municipal sports facilities of Las Marinas and the electricity substation. This is where the “third level” pumping station was. It is a small building, which is almost completely overgrown now, which was used to pump up the water for the salt pans in this part of the industrial process. This is the beginning of the channel that connected the salt pans of the “Poniente” or West (Cerrillos, New and Old) with those of the “Levante” or East (San Rafael). An almost cuboid construction with a few windows which can be seen through the vegetation.

Walking along the pavement of the avenue, you will see the ‘Salinas Viejas’ or Old Salt Pans, which is a lagoon today but was once a thriving saltworks. Many years have passed since then, but the round-shaped lagoon from which it received its Nasrid name; the “Modaguara” in the Middle Ages, is still visible.

After about 800 metres you reach the “Puerta (Gateway) de Roquetas de Mar”, the beginning of the Natural Reserve. Here you will find the signposting indicating the path and the natural area. The urban area ends here, and the dirt track begins.  The access point to the ‘Gravera’, (the gravel pit), is a little under three hundred metres further on.

“The Gravera” has two observation areas, one at the entrance and another on the side. The gaps between the tamarisk trees are handy viewpoints.

The route follows the path and there are good vantage points both to the left and right of it. Carry on as far as the Cerrillos tower and once you have passed the old barracks, you will have reached the municipal limits. Follow them until reaching the coast. This is the return point, you can walk along the beach itself or path that runs parallel to it, until reaching the edge of the Natural Reserve, at “Laja del Palo”, from where you can return to the starting point along the “Playa Serena” road.

Locations that can be reached on this excursion: Salinas Viejas, Salinas Nuevas, La Gravera, Cerrillos.