Calblanque Costa Blanca

A few kilometers south of the highly developed resorts around the Mar Menor lies one of Spain's most unspoiled coastal stretches, Calblanque. Local people fought hard in the 1980s to protect this area, which is now a designated natural park. Access is down a bumpy track off the busy main road running to La Manga. Within minutes, the roar of traffic disappears, hills rise up and the road gradually winds down to the sea. From the small car park boardwalks lead across the fragile dunes to the beaches, and paths run along the coast in either direction. If you are looking for an un-spoilt beach, this is it. The fine sands and crystal-clear water are only part of the experience, and it's worth leaving the beach to walk along the coast or explore the inland hills. A track runs south towards Cabo Negrete and the lighthouse at Punta Negra.

Follow it down to see impressive rock formations caused by water erosion, lovely views and tempting swimming coves. The waters here are wonderfully clear, with protected underwater vegetation and sea creatures perfect for keen scuba divers and snorkelers. A scramble in the hills behind the coast will give you an idea of the incredible richness of Calblanque's flora and fauna. Apart from other walkers, you may meet a herdsman and his goats, which graze on the aromatic plants. Calblanque's main attraction is its peace, and its survival as an un-spoilt enclave is a good example of what determined public opinion can achieve.