La Higuera: Salt Lagoons, Birdlife and Historical Traces

La Higuera is situated in a landscape of saline lagoons. Three sulfate-magnesium lagoons are located near La Higuera: Moya Rasa, Mojón Blanco and El Saladar.

Nature and Lagoons

The protected wetland ZEC Lagunas saladas de Pétrola y Salobrejo y complejo lagunar de Corral Rubio ES4210004 encompasses the endorheic, seasonal lagoon complex of Pétrola, Salobrejo, Corral Rubio and La Higuera.

El Saladar is the largest of the lagoons near La Higuera. Its reputation for the quality of its salt dates back to antiquity; Pliny already mentioned it in the 1st century. In the lagoons of La Higuera, salt crystals measuring 5–7 cm accumulate on the bottom. In summer, they lie on floating algae and form a white fringe along the shore. When the lagoons dry out completely, layered salt crusts form; only this second form occurs in El Saladar.

The Corral-Rubio–La Higuera lagoon complex in the vicinity of La Higuera is suitable for birdwatching. Species found there include flamingos, herons, ibises, ducks and great bustards. Between 1998 and 2019, 16 breeding pairs of common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) were recorded in the Pétrola–Corral Rubio–La Higuera lagoon complex at Baños de San José and El Saladar, respectively. Cerro Chinar is a peak in the vicinity of La Higuera.

Routes and Observations

Stage ES09a-06a of the Camino del Sureste from Montealegre del Castillo to Pétrola passes through La Higuera and then continues along a path towards the Hoya Rosa and Hoya Elvira lagoons.

The circular walk at the Lagunas de La Higuera is rated easy and takes approximately 0.5 hours. The circular walk and the stage are different forms of route planning and can be considered separately when making your own preparations.

History and Culture

According to local tradition, La Higuera originated as a venta along the road. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it provided food and accommodation for travelers and livestock along the Cañadas Reales.

The former spa resort of Baños de San José was built on the shore of the El Saladar lagoon in the 1940s and 1950s. It closed in the 1960s after an industry for the extraction of magnesium salts had been established there.

The Sierra de Pinilla mountain range lies in the wider regional surroundings of La Higuera. The Palacio de los Condes de Cirat, a palatial building, the Museo Batalla de Almansa, a museum, and the Castillo de Almansa, a castle, are also located there. El Mugrón is another mountain range in the wider regional surroundings. Las Somblancas is an archaeological site there, and Molatón is a peak.

For the higher-level travel overview: Corral-Rubio.