The seasonal lagoons, the history of salt production and the Camino del Sureste give La Higuera several distinct aspects. You can focus on nature observation, geology or the pilgrimage route.

Lagoons, Salt and Landscape

The protected wetland ZEC Lagunas saladas de Pétrola y Salobrejo y complejo lagunar de Corral Rubio ES4210004 comprises the endorheic, seasonal lagoon complex of Pétrola, Salobrejo, Corral Rubio and La Higuera. Endorheic means that the lagoons have no outflow; seasonal describes how they change over the course of the year. Near La Higuera are three sulphate-magnesium lagoons: Moya Rasa, Mojón Blanco and El Saladar. El Saladar is the largest of the lagoons near La Higuera. It was already known in antiquity for the quality of its salt; Pliny 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; at El Saladar, only this second form occurs. This means the salt appears in different forms, from crystals on algae to crusts formed after complete drying.

Circular Walk and Camino del Sureste

The circular walk at the Lagunas de La Higuera is rated easy and takes about 0.5 hours. Check local access information before setting out. The ES09a-06a stage of the Camino del Sureste offers a different perspective: it runs from Montealegre del Castillo to Pétrola, passes through La Higuera and then follows a path towards the Hoya Rosa and Hoya Elvira lagoons. Thus, the circular walk focuses on the lagoons near La Higuera, while the pilgrimage stage places the town on a route between two endpoints, continuing towards the two lagoons. As trail conditions and services may change, check both before setting out.

Birdwatching

The Corral-Rubio–La Higuera lagoon complex, near La Higuera, is suitable for birdwatching. Species found there include flamingos, herons, ibises, ducks and great bustards. Alongside its geological features, the wetland also offers a way to experience its birdlife.

Between 1998 and 2019, 16 breeding pairs of common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) were recorded at the Pétrola–Corral Rubio–La Higuera lagoon complex, at Baños de San José or El Saladar. This figure refers to the stated period, not to a current population.

Spa and Local Tradition

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

According to local tradition, La Higuera began as a roadside venta, or inn. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the inn provided food and accommodation for travellers and livestock along the Cañadas Reales. Together with the history of the former spa, this tradition offers a second historical perspective: provision for travellers on the road rather than use of the lagoon.

For the broader travel overview: Corral-Rubio.