Mazarrón beaches: Playa de la Piedra Mala

The second in a run of spectacular rocky coves and wild beaches in Mazarrón

One of 33 beaches which are to be found along the 35-kilometre coastline of Mazarrón between the municipalities of Cartagena and Lorca, Playa de Piedra Mala (literally, beach of the bad stone!) is linked to Playa del Rincón and has the same vibrant ochre-red soil as its neighbouur, which is tucked into the corner of the Punta Cueva de Lobos.

There is parking immediately alongside the entry point, which is via a wooden walkway and steps down into the cove below, although the numbers of parking spaces are very limited as this beach is at the beginning of the long coastal track which winds along the top of the coast through the Sierra de Moreras to Puntas de Calnegre 12 kilometres away.

The beach is long and thin, measuring 115 metres by 17 metres, and has very little in the way of sand, most of its surface area covered in pebbles and posidonia seagrass.

There are some patches of grey sand and the beach is popular with families who enjoy the interest of the rocky pools, banks of posidonia and rock formations. There are large meadows of posidonia sea grass off this beach, preventing erosion and providing an important habitat for marine life.

There are no services.

The run of wild beaches in Mazarrón

Mazarrón is blessed with an extraordinary range of beaches, with everything from wide swathes of sand to rocky coves, dog-friendly areas and nudist beaches.

Between Bolnuevo and Percheles the coast is wild and stunning, and the run of beaches from be accessed only via a rough dirt track on foot or by bicycle, with a succession of secluded bays. From 1st July 2017 most of the track has been closed to motor vehicles and the only access is via cycle or on foot.

None of these beaches is equipped with special disabled access, although once the coastline reaches Percheles and Cañada de Gallego it is possible to walk out of the car and straight onto the sand/shingle. Here the coastline is accessed from a rough, bumpy road which runs along for around 12 kilometres.

If you’re the type of person who loves to get away from the crowds and appreciates wild beauty, then you’ll love this stretch of coastline.

The stunning scenery is peppered with abandoned ruins, and there is a huge choice of rocky bays, sandy coves, and secluded corners to bathe privately, even in the busy summer period. The area is popular with naturists and it’s not uncommon to see the odd gleaming bronzed buttock or two, and a couple of the nudist beaches are also very popular with the gay community. But the area is so large that it is always possible to steer away if you choose: you can stop anywhere and be as private, or as public, as you want.

There are absolutely no facilities, so bring everything and remember to take litter home.

It’s also very popular with local cyclists, especially mountain-bikers, and walkers. 

Access

From Bolnuevo, drive along the seafront, past the wind-eroded rocks to the end of the road next to Playa del Rincón, where limited parking is available. From here, the beaches can only be accessed on foot or by bicycle.

From Puntas de Calnegre and Cañada de Gallego, just keep the sea on your right! There are many dust tracks from the road and the tomato plantations to the coast.

For more local information go to the home page of Mazarrón Today, or click here for an overview of all 33 beaches in the municipality of Mazarrón.