User:El barco de Perales/Cresta del Gallo

Cresta del Gallo is a 523 meters (1716 ft.) high mountain formation located in the district of Garres y Lages, integrated into the so-called Cordillera Sur, and close to the city of Murcia. Its name comes from the set of large reddish rocks nestled at the top of the mountain that give it the appearance of a cockscomb. The largest of these rocks is popularly called La Panocha by Murcians, due to its shape of a corncob. Together with the Carrascoy’s mountain range, it is part of the Carrascoy y El Valle regional park.

On April 7, 1931, by Royal Order 59/1931, it was declared a natural site of national interest.

Main formations
La Panocha: it is a rocky monolith with a maximum height of 55 meters (180 ft.) on its highest face, the north slope. It is possible to reach the top by climbing any of its faces. Its shape, together with the characteristic reddish color that it acquires at sunset, which is visible from the city of Murcia, gives it its name. Without being the highest point of the Cresta del Gallo (it corresponds to the Relojero, at 605 meters (1985ft.)), it constitutes the most emblematic rock formation of the entire rock group.

From the back side, on the clearest days, you can see Mar Menor.

Activities
In Cresta del Gallo there is the possibility of climbing or learning it in a school and excursions around the place, starting from the recreational area. You can also visit the viewpoint of Camino del Relojero, one of the highest peaks in the area at 605 meters (1985ft.) high, or observe the so-called paisaje lunar.

In the recreational area it is possible to have a picnic and park vehicles, which makes this Murcian place an ideal area to visit with the family.

Access
To go up there are three main accesses: a road starts from Beniaján, crossing the old lands of La Tana; another ascends from Algezares, following the road to the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta; and a last road is the one that leaves La Alberca and, crossing El Valle, reaches the road to Santuario de la Fuensanta.

External

 * https://web.archive.org/web/20080926045906/http://canales.laverdad.es/nuestratierra/nt15122006/suscr/nec15.htm
 * http://deruta.blogspot.com/2007/10/el-relojero-cresta-del-gallo.html