The Henares route is a 7-kilometre circular route; Los Cerros is a 55-kilometre loop for mountain bikes. In the centre of Henares stands the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, while the Los Cegarra route includes a detour to the Molino de los Cegarra. These route types and named cultural sites offer several specific points of reference for planning your trip.
Routes compared
The Henares route is a 7-kilometre circular route. It is suitable for families with children; its difficulty level is listed as 1. Compared with the 55-kilometre Los Cerros loop, it is considerably shorter. This gives you the distance, circular format and explicitly stated suitability for families to help you make an initial selection; the difficulty level provides a separate piece of information.
Los Cerros offers a larger-scale option: this 55-kilometre circular route is for mountain bikes. Its highest point is 912 metres above sea level. In some sections, the route follows the Cañada Real Granada-Cartagena and passes along the Rambla de Nogalte. The distance, high point and named sections each offer different considerations when choosing a route.
The route reaches its highest point at Loma de Nogalte, at 845 metres above sea level, and includes a detour to the Molino de los Cegarra.
Culture and feast days
The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores stands in the centre of the town. It was restored after the Spanish Civil War and remains a meeting place for the patron saint festivities. The Ermita de la Purísima can be seen at the Molino de los Cegarra stop. Religious cultural sites in Henares can therefore be found in different contexts: as a meeting place for the patron saint festivities in the town centre, and as a point of interest at the mill stop.
Henares is associated with Zarzalico. As a guide to the previous year, the dates given for the Henares festivities are 1 and 2 September; dates may vary from year to year. Check the current dates before travelling.
An older cultural account of festivities associated with Zarzalico describes a procession through the surrounding fields after Mass, performances by traditional Cuadrillas and regional dances, as well as races with motorcycles and horses, competitions and raffles. Check the specific programme before travelling.
The surrounding landscape
The Sierra del Cabezo de la Jara lies near the Nogalte–Henares route and is described as an area where migratory birds stop. This natural feature adds another aspect of the surrounding area to the routes and cultural sites. If you would like to include this landscape in your plans, check local access conditions in advance.
Discover more destinations: Jumilla, Torre Guil, La Unión, Aledo, Zarcilla De Ramos, El Sabinar, Los Alcázares, San Isidro.
For the broader travel overview: Murcia.
