Guardamar del Segura: the forest planted to stop the sand
800 hectares of pine forest planted over a century ago to halt the dunes, near-pristine beaches, a Phoenician town and a 10th-century rábita: our guide to Guardamar del Segura.
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A little over a century ago, Guardamar had a very concrete problem: sand. Pushed by the wind, the dunes were advancing about eight metres a year and threatening to swallow the town. The answer was as bold as it was original: plant a forest. Today, the 800 hectares of pine forest along the sea are one of the Costa Blanca’s loveliest surprises — a place where you go from pine shade to warm sand in a few steps.
A forest born of an engineering project
The reforestation plan was approved in 1897 under engineer Francisco Mira y Botella. Between 1900 and the 1930s, more than 600,000 trees — pines, palms and eucalyptus — were planted to fix the dunes. The gamble paid off: the sand stopped, and what is now Alfonso XIII Park, Guardamar’s famous Pinada, was born, today protected as a Site of Community Importance.
Walking in the pine forest
The park is criss-crossed with paths. The most complete is a 6.5 km loop that passes two surprising archaeological sites:
- La Fonteta, a Phoenician port town with remains of walls and workshops;
- the Rábita Califal, a 10th-century Islamic monastic complex, unique in the Iberian Peninsula.
Stories almost three thousand years old among the pines, a stone’s throw from the beach: that is Guardamar’s charm.
The beaches
Guardamar’s coastline is lined with long, fine sandy beaches. To the south, along the pine forest, Tossals, Vivers and Montcaio beaches remain almost untouched, with dunes and wooden boardwalks to protect them.
Our tips
Walk early in the morning in summer: the pine shade is pleasant, but the heat climbs quickly by late morning.
Stay on the boardwalks when crossing the dunes: they are fragile and protected.
Bring a picnic: the pine forest is perfect for lunch in the shade before an afternoon swim.
Nearby
To the south, Aquópolis Torrevieja and the pink lakes; further on, the Mar Menor. To the north, Elche’s palm grove. And for more walking ideas, see our easy walks.
