5 Family Cycling Routes Around Mar Menor This Spring

My neighbour knocked on the door last Saturday with her two kids, bikes already loaded on the car, asking if we wanted to join them for a ride along the shore. We were out of the house in ten minutes. That's the thing about March around the Mar Menor. The weather is genuinely brilliant for cycling right now, warm enough to get the kids moving without anyone melting, and the roads and paths are still quiet before the Easter rush arrives.

Spring is honestly the best window for family cycling here. Temperatures are sitting comfortably in the low-to-mid twenties, there's usually a light breeze off the water, and you won't be fighting through summer crowds. If you're staying in one of our holiday rentals near Roda Golf this spring, pack the bikes or hire some locally. You won't regret it.

Here are five routes that genuinely work for families with kids of all ages, tried and tested by a bloke who cycles this coastline more or less every weekend.

1. The Los Alcázares Shore Path (The Classic)

Start at the main paseo in Los Alcázares and head north along the water's edge. This is as flat as it gets. The path runs right along the Mar Menor, past the chiringuitos, and depending on how far you want to push the little ones, you can carry on all the way towards Santiago de la Ribera. It's about 7km one way if you go the whole stretch, so a manageable 14km return that even an eight-year-old can manage.

Stop at the café next to the boat ramp in Los Alcázares for a quick drink before turning back. The kids will love watching the kitesurfers if the wind's up. The water at this time of year looks absolutely stunning, that flat calm you get in spring before the summer crowds churn it up.

2. Lo Pagán to the Salt Flats Loop

This one is a bit more of an adventure. Start in Lo Pagán, which is a lovely little town that not enough visitors discover, and ride north into the Parque Regional de las Salinas de San Pedro del Pinatar. The paths here weave around the pink salt lakes and in March you stand a decent chance of spotting flamingos. Actual flamingos. The kids go absolutely mad for it.

The loop around the salt flats is around 10km and almost entirely flat. There are information boards dotted around explaining the ecosystem, which at least keeps the older children vaguely interested. Finish back in Lo Pagán and let everyone have a paddle in the famous mud baths at the beach. It's a bit cold for a full dip in March, but the therapeutic mud is free, it's everywhere, and kids find it hilarious. Fair warning: bring towels.

3. Santiago de la Ribera to San Javier Town

Santiago de la Ribera has one of the nicest promenades on the whole Mar Menor. Start there, maybe grab a coffee and a palmera from one of the bakeries near the waterfront, and then follow the cycle route inland towards San Javier town. It's only about 4km each way, making it a perfectly sized morning ride for younger children or anyone who's not exactly training for the Tour de France.

San Javier has a lovely old centre worth a short wander, and the market on a Wednesday morning is worth timing your ride around. Load up on oranges, local almonds, and whatever else catches your eye, then cycle back with bulging panniers feeling extremely pleased with yourself. The road back is completely flat and the views of the Mar Menor behind you as you descend back to the coast are genuinely lovely in the spring light.

4. The Roda Golf to Torre Pacheco Country Route

Not everyone wants to stick to the coast, and this route is for families who fancy a bit more of the real Murcia countryside. From the Roda Golf area, follow the minor roads northwest towards Torre Pacheco. In March the fields are starting to green up after the winter rains, the almond blossom is either finishing or has just finished depending on the week, and the orange and lemon groves smell absolutely incredible.

Torre Pacheco itself is a proper working Spanish market town, not a tourist trap, and there's a good tapas bar on the main square that does a proper lunch menu. Sit outside, order the local caldero if it's on, and let the kids run around the square while you have a second glass of wine. That's a family cycling holiday done right.

The return journey is about 12km and mostly flat with one or two gentle rises. Nothing that'll have anyone crying, but enough to feel like you've earned the wine.

5. The Mar Menor Coastal Stretch Towards La Manga

For slightly older or more confident cyclists, the coastal path heading south from Los Alcázares towards the start of La Manga strip is a cracking ride. The path follows the Mar Menor shore, passing through some quieter areas where you might barely see another soul in March, and the views across to La Manga are brilliant.

Go as far as feels right for your group. The first 8km or so is straightforward and well-surfaced. Beyond that it gets a bit rougher in places, so you'll want to judge it by the age and energy levels of whoever's on the smallest bike. Turn around when you spot the first beach bar that's open and have an ice cream in the sun. Job done.

If you want a longer adventure and the legs are willing, La Manga has its own flat paths and a completely different atmosphere to the main Mar Menor shore. There's plenty written about the area on the RodaGolfSpain blog if you want to plan a full day out there.

Practical Bits Worth Knowing

Bike hire is available in Los Alcázares and Santiago de la Ribera. Ask locally for current hire shops as they come and go with the seasons. A helmet is legally required for kids on public roads in Spain, so bring yours or factor that into your hire. Most hire shops include them.

March mornings can still be chilly early, so layer up and plan to start mid-morning once the temperature has climbed. By the time you're 20 minutes in you'll be peeling off layers anyway. Carry water. The Mar Menor area is flat but the sun is already strong enough to dry you out quickly.

For more on what the area has to offer families and visitors alike, have a browse of our local area guide. And if you haven't sorted where you're staying yet, our holiday properties near Roda Golf range from small apartments ideal for couples to larger villas with gardens for families. Several have secure bike storage too, which is always a bonus.

Spring cycling around the Mar Menor is one of those simple pleasures that doesn't cost much and sticks with you. Get the bikes out. You'll thank yourself for it.