Lorca beaches: Cala Blanca

A spectacular cove on the unspoilt coastline in the south of Lorca

Cala Blanca is the one of the most picturesque of the series of beaches and coves which lie along the coastline of Lorca and Águilas to the north of the imposing headland of Cabo Cope, and is relatively popular among those who are seeking a quiet and attractive beach location away from the distractions of built-up resorts and large crowds during the summer months.

The cove is just a couple of hundred metres away from the long beach of Playa Larga, the southernmost in the municipality of Lorca, and extends over a length of some 75 metres. It is protected by the cliffs behind it and by headlands on either side, and reaches a maximum width of 35 metres.

Mainly composed of dark sand or fine gravelly pebbles, with plants growing only a few metres from the shore, it offers relatively calm bathing on most days, although of course the waves can become quite rough at times: beware, as there are no flags or other warnings when conditions are dangerous, and common sense should be applied at all times!

One of the attractions of the beach is the cliffs behind it, into which various caves have been hollowed out by a combination of the forces of nature and man’s search for inhabitable areas. These caves are often put to impromptu use by “wild” beachgoers of the type who may arrive in a motorhome with the idea of staying all day, or even overnight, as a place to prepare a barbecue or to shelter from the sun.

Visitors should also be aware that many of those who come to this part of the Lorca coastline often dispense with formalities such as swimwear. This is not an officially designated nudist beach – within Lorca that distinction falls to La Junquera – but it is not at all unusual to come across sunbathers chasing that elusive all-over tan, or simply communing with nature without obstructions such as clothing to provide any distraction!

As is to be expected at such an unspoilt location, there are no lifeguards or other services at Cala Blanca other than a couple of rubbish bins along the length of the cliff-top path behind it (all users are requested to make use of these, or to take litter away with them when they leave, in order to protect the natural environment). In theory it is possible to approach the sand in a motor vehicle, but drivers anxious to protect their cars will prefer to make their way down on foot from the cliff-top parking area alongside: sturdy footwear is required.

Beachgoers who make the effort to reach Cala Blanca – and it really is not too great an effort – are rewarded with an almost unique location on the Costa Cálida. This is a cove which would surely have become heavily developed and built up had it not been for the fact that the land behind it is either classified as being for agricultural use or is part of the nature reserve of Marina de Cope area. For these reasons, it may be a fair drive away from residential areas, and the facilities offered may be nil, but Cala Blanca always attracts a good sprinkling of bathers looking for a taste of the “real” Mediterranean!

How to get to Cala Blanca

It is possible to reach the southernmost beaches of Lorca in many ways – by boat, for example, or on foot (the GR-92 walking route follows this stretch of the coastline) - but for those arriving by car the simplest route, although not the shortest, takes beachgoers on a small detour of the agricultural land which lies behind the coast.

Those reaching the area along the AP-7 motorway should take the exit at kilometre 866 and at first follow the signs along the RM-D14 road towards Calabardina and Águilas. After just over a kilometre there is a petrol station on the left, and at this point a sharp left turn is required onto a narrow but tarmacked track which leads off into the countryside: keep the bar-restaurant at the junction on your right!

After around 1.5 kilometres the road bends round to the left (it is possible at this point to take a rougher track to the right down towards the coast, but the surface is smoother following the road) and leads to the small village of El Cantar. At the entry to the village is a right fork which takes vehicles right down to the coast 2km away: this is officially named the CRS-24-96 track, but unfortunately not all of the signposts are in good repair!

On arrival at the coast there is parking space for a couple of dozen cars next to an abandoned building which stands looking out over the Mediterranean: most people will choose to leave the car parked here and head down to Cala Blanca (on the left) on foot.

For more local information visit the home page of Lorca Today.