Ojós Bridges Walk

What it is

Ojós is the smallest village in the valley, squeezed into a meander of the Segura. Its bridges route follows the river and links four crossings: the suspension bridge, the Solvente Tibetan bridge, the Salto de la Novia bridge and the gauging station bridge. Between them are weirs, traditional irrigation channels and lemon orchards, and very close by are the Ojós weir, one of the most recognisable spots in the valley, and the village's old washhouse.

What you will see

According to the tourist consortium, the bridges let you cross ravines, riverbeds and corners of great natural value, and each one also works as a viewpoint over the river. The route passes through riverside vegetation and along the irrigation channels that still water the orchards, a legacy of the valley's Andalusi irrigation. In the village itself, the consortium highlights the parish church of San Agustín, the old Fábrica de la Luz, the washhouse, the garden of the gauging station and the Museo de Belenes del Mundo; on the outskirts is the Mayés dam.

From around the Estrecho del Solvente, where the river is squeezed between mountains, there are views of the Ricote ravine, the Salto de la Novia and the Sierra del Cajal. Ojós is the only municipality in the Región de Murcia with the international Cittaslow label, given to towns that opt for a slower pace of life, and it forms part of an area protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest). The surrounding area includes Natura 2000 Network sites.

Who it is for

The consortium recommends it for families, walkers and photographers. The official listing does not publish a distance or duration: ask for the route at the information point or follow it along the river from the village. With children, the Tibetan bridge is the big hit; keep an eye on them at the crossings over the water.

In spring, when the lemon trees flower, the walk coincides with the orange blossom season, and in summer it is best done first thing in the morning or at the end of the afternoon. Bring water and comfortable footwear.

Getting there and information

The tourist information point is in the Ayuntamiento de Ojós (town hall), at avenida Generalísimo 9 (968 69 86 52 or 968 69 87 90). The consortium points to a public car park in the village, and without a car the Ricote Valley intercity bus stops at the plaza del Rulo. The bridges route can be combined with the water route, which also passes the Ojós weir and washhouse, or with a visit to the old town of Ricote, a few kilometres away, and the Olivera Gorda.