Agua Amarga is one of the urban beaches in Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. Playa de Agua Amarga lies almost entirely within the town and combines a beachfront setting with a history that reaches back to the former mining railway and mineral loading pier. When planning, it is worth treating a beach visit and the linear trails as separate activities: they offer different landscapes and require different amounts of time.

Playa de Agua Amarga and the beach in the town center

The beach has fine golden sand and crystal-clear water. It is 550 meters long and 30 meters wide; measurements may vary depending on the method used. Playa is accessible to people with reduced mobility. It is a ten-minute walk from the parking area. Check the access information before your visit if it is important for your plans.

Two linear trails with different profiles

The Vía Verde de Lucainena a Agua Amarga follows the former mining railway as a route for walking and cycling. It is 6.5 kilometers each way, with an estimated walking time of 2 hours and 30 minutes each way. The difficulty level is described as low. This time therefore applies to one direction, not the round trip. The route passes through steppes, ramblas and cortijadas, with views of the coast. Check the route conditions before setting out.

The S13 San Pedro–El Plomo–Agua Amarga trail has a different character: it runs along a rugged coast of volcanic origin, with cliffs, ravines and coves. The linear trail is 11.1 kilometers long; the stated walking time is 4 hours and 30 minutes, and the difficulty level is moderate to high. Route details may be officially revised; check the profile before your hike.

Along the S13 is a cove framed by two limestone formations eroded by the sea. Its golden sand stretches for 150 meters; crystal-clear water and views of the mineral loading pier and Mesa Roldán with its tower are also noted. When comparing the trails, both time and difficulty matter: the length and walking time for the Vía Verde are explicitly given for each direction, while the S13 is rated as more difficult.

Traces of the mineral loading pier

Remains of buildings that belonged to the mineral loading pier can be found on Agua Amarga beach. The pier operated from the late 19th century until 1942. That year, the “Bartolo” sailed out as the last cargo ship. In 2003, the remains of the mineral loading pier were included in the General Catalogue of Andalusian Historical Heritage through a collective general listing by the Consejería de Cultura. The earliest historical references to Agua Amarga are attributed to the Nasrid period; at that time, the place was probably a Muslim anchorage called “Chavala” in the district of Pechina. The railway line from Lucainena de las Torres also ended in Agua Amarga.

Practical information

There are 12 parking spaces listed at the start of the Vía Verde; another parking area with more than 30 spaces is located beside the mineral loading harbor. Since parking availability can change, check conditions before setting out. The beach measurements, access information and trail profiles help you plan beach time and longer routes separately. This lets you choose the focus that best suits your stay in Agua Amarga: Playa in the town center, the former railway line or the coastal scenery of the S13.

Discover more destinations: Uleila Del Campo, Canjáyar, Fiñana, Adra, Chirivel, La Cañada, Tonosa, Laroya.

To the main travel overview: Almeria.