A varied week of exploring Cabo de Gata. We start the week in San José and then visit La Isleta, Los Escullos, the San Felipe Battery and much more. We walk the Via Verde to Agua Amarga and explore the abandoned iron ore loading facility. We finish by exploring Nijar and the Atalaya Watchtower.
This is a Photo Essay, where the photos tell the story. Text and captions are kept to a minimum.
Photo Essay introduction...

From La Isleta, the two peaks of Frailes Hill are visible. These were formed during two stages of intense underwater volcanic activity. The first event occurred approximately 12 to 13 million years ago, while the second event occurred 8 to 9 million years ago. During the first stage, highly explosive volcanic eruptions generated substantial domes and lava flows, predominantly dacitic in composition. These eruptions alternated with subsequent explosive events.
Intertwined within the volcanic sequence are also layers of fossiliferous sedimentary rocks indicative of shallow marine environments. This volcano-sedimentary sequence is intersected by numerous feeder dacitic dikes. During the second stage, the volcanic activity was reactivated and is characterised by the emission of numerous andesitic lava flows and domes, which were darker in colour and accompanied by the eruption of substantial quantities of pyroclastic deposits. The volcanic activity was concluded by the formation of two large mountain peaks, which we see today.
Intertwined within the volcanic sequence are also layers of fossiliferous sedimentary rocks indicative of shallow marine environments. This volcano-sedimentary sequence is intersected by numerous feeder dacitic dikes. During the second stage, the volcanic activity was reactivated and is characterised by the emission of numerous andesitic lava flows and domes, which were darker in colour and accompanied by the eruption of substantial quantities of pyroclastic deposits. The volcanic activity was concluded by the formation of two large mountain peaks, which we see today.

The San Felipe Battery, constructed in 1765 by Charles I, was one of the nine coastal fortresses ordered by the monarch to be built between Garrucha (Almería) and Manilva (Málaga). These fortresses were intended to defend the kingdom’s coasts from potential sea-based enemy incursions. Of these, the batteries of San Felipe (in the Escullos) and San Ramón (on the beach of Rodalquilar) are situated within the Natural Park, contributing to its historical legacy.

The battery comprises a series of rooms designed for the accommodation and storage of troops, provisions, and ammunition, as well as stables and religious services. Access to the building was facilitated by a drawbridge supported by a moat.
Following its abandonment, the battery underwent restoration in the early 1990s and has since been repurposed as a cultural centre. The panoramic views of the Natural Park from this location are exceptional.
Following its abandonment, the battery underwent restoration in the early 1990s and has since been repurposed as a cultural centre. The panoramic views of the Natural Park from this location are exceptional.

The next series of photos is from a Vía Verde walk in Cabo de Gata. The Via Verdes are repurposed railway routes that have been transformed into footpaths or cycle routes.
This trail repurposes the former mining railway between Lucainena and Agua Amarga. The significant iron deposits on the northern slope of the Sierra Alhamilla necessitated the construction of a narrow-gauge mining railway, which facilitated the transportation of iron ore to ships waiting at the Agua Amarga mineral pier.
This trail repurposes the former mining railway between Lucainena and Agua Amarga. The significant iron deposits on the northern slope of the Sierra Alhamilla necessitated the construction of a narrow-gauge mining railway, which facilitated the transportation of iron ore to ships waiting at the Agua Amarga mineral pier.

The route traverses the unique landscapes of Cabo de Gata, characterised by ravines, ramblas (dry riverbeds), and other strata. The region is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including greenfinches, kestrels, ocelot lizards, chameleons, hares, badgers, and numerous species of snakes and snails.
Along the trail, old traditional farmhouses can be observed, some of which are in a state of abandonment, while others continue to serve as functional farmhouses.
Along the trail, old traditional farmhouses can be observed, some of which are in a state of abandonment, while others continue to serve as functional farmhouses.

This olive tree is one of the oldest olive trees in the Mediterranean.
The trunk has a circumference of 9 metres around its base and a height of six and a half metres. The upper part comprises four robust branches, forming a crown of more than ten metres in diameter and a height of eight metres. Its height suggests it is probably a grafted olive tree.
The olive tree’s origins can be traced back to the Mesopotamian region, present-day Iran and Syria, approximately five thousand years ago. From there, it spread throughout Europe through the influence of Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Arabs, who introduced and cultivated it. The term “oil” originates from the Arabic word “az-zayt,” which translates to “olive juice.”
The “Inventory of Monumental Olives of Spain” lists five olive trees in the province of Almería, two of which are located within the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park, specifically in this rambla of Los Viruegas.
The trunk has a circumference of 9 metres around its base and a height of six and a half metres. The upper part comprises four robust branches, forming a crown of more than ten metres in diameter and a height of eight metres. Its height suggests it is probably a grafted olive tree.
The olive tree’s origins can be traced back to the Mesopotamian region, present-day Iran and Syria, approximately five thousand years ago. From there, it spread throughout Europe through the influence of Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Arabs, who introduced and cultivated it. The term “oil” originates from the Arabic word “az-zayt,” which translates to “olive juice.”
The “Inventory of Monumental Olives of Spain” lists five olive trees in the province of Almería, two of which are located within the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park, specifically in this rambla of Los Viruegas.

Water has historically been a scarce and precious commodity in this area. This has resulted in a rich heritage of water supply and distribution systems, including norias, mills, cisterns, and irrigation ditches.
The noria in Pozo de los Frailes is a simple machine consisting of two large wheels, one horizontal and moved by a lever pulled by a horse, and another vertical one that meshes with the first and has a rope with arcades hanging from it to draw water from a well.
The noria in Pozo de los Frailes is a simple machine consisting of two large wheels, one horizontal and moved by a lever pulled by a horse, and another vertical one that meshes with the first and has a rope with arcades hanging from it to draw water from a well.

Although the technology that enables its operation dates back over a thousand years, this noria was installed at the beginning of the current century to facilitate the extraction of water from an old communal well, one of the few sources of water in the entire region.
The history of the population of the place has always been intrinsically linked to the existence of this well.
The history of the population of the place has always been intrinsically linked to the existence of this well.

Situated on the hill of the same name, the Atalaya Watchtower bears clear Arab architectural influences and serves as the namesake of the cluster of houses that stand below it. During the Muslim era, Níjar emerged as a prominent defensive and surveillance point due to its advantageous location. It was during this period that numerous bastions, defensive structures, and surveillance towers were constructed.
The Atalaya Watchtower stands as a testament to the strategic locations chosen, offering panoramic views of the coastline.
Along the walk up to the Atalaya watchtower, there are several rest stops with informative boards. These boards offer historical and geographical insights into the watchtower, as well as cultural and scenic perspectives.
The Atalaya Watchtower stands as a testament to the strategic locations chosen, offering panoramic views of the coastline.
Along the walk up to the Atalaya watchtower, there are several rest stops with informative boards. These boards offer historical and geographical insights into the watchtower, as well as cultural and scenic perspectives.

The Atalaya watchtower is from the Nasrid period, specifically the 14th century.
The tower is circular, standing at a height of 7 meters and a diameter of 4.60 meters. It is constructed of masonry and lime mortar. The lower part of the structure is solid, with a hollow upper section with an entrance door (accessible only via a ladder) into a small space with a window for observation. The structure is topped by a terrace, which probably had an access point but has been lost due to the ill-advised restoration efforts.
The tower is circular, standing at a height of 7 meters and a diameter of 4.60 meters. It is constructed of masonry and lime mortar. The lower part of the structure is solid, with a hollow upper section with an entrance door (accessible only via a ladder) into a small space with a window for observation. The structure is topped by a terrace, which probably had an access point but has been lost due to the ill-advised restoration efforts.
Rom Gostomski - Author
I am passionate about photography and have been recording my travels and exploration of Spain since moving here in 2017.






























































































































