Detailed description (English): Route along a path of environmental interest in the town of San Fernando, called Punta del Boqueron. Undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful paths in the province. It runs parallel to Camposoto beach and the marshes of Caño de Sancti Petri, ending at Punta del Boquerón, an emblematic area, declared a Natural Monument of Andalusia in 2003. To get there, the route shows us two very different ecosystems: the dunes and the marshes.
The dune system is home to vegetation specially adapted to these sandy soils, which is attached to the dunes by its extensive roots. On the left we can see a naturally regenerated marshland, where the vegetation is different, adapted to the high salinity of these soils and subject to intermittent tidal flooding.
Shortly before reaching the end of the route, we will cross the remains of the Urrutia Battery (Bien de Interés Cultural), a defensive installation that played an important role in the War of Independence.
From the Punta de Boquerón, we will observe how the Castle of Sancti Petri, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, stands proudly in the middle of the sea, and where archaeologists have recently located the mythical temple of Hercules Gaditano, one of the holy grails of archaeology, and if time permits, we can enjoy a swim in front of it before returning to our way back.
Detailed description (original language): Ruta por sendero de interés medioambiental en la localidad de San Fernando, denominada Punta del Boquerón. Sin lugar a dudas, uno de los senderos más hermosos de la provincia. Discurre paralelo a la playa de Camposoto y a las marismas del Caño de Sancti Petri, finalizando en la Punta del Boquerón, zona emblemática, declarada Monumento Natural de Andalucía en 2003. Para llegar hasta allí, el recorrido nos muestra dos ecosistemas muy diferentes entre sí: las dunas y las marismas.
En el sistema dunar se desarrolla una vegetación especialmente adaptada a estos suelos arenosos que se fija a las dunas por sus extensas raíces. A la izquierda observaremos una marisma regenerada de forma natural, donde la vegetación es diferente, está adaptada a la alta salinidad de estos suelos y sometidas a la inundación intermitente de las mareas.
Poco antes de alcanzar el final del recorrido, atravesaremos los restos de la Batería de Urrutia (Bien de Interés Cultural) una instalación defensiva que jugó un importante papel en la Guerra de la Independencia.
Desde la Punta de Boquerón, observaremos como se alza orgulloso en medio del mar, el Castillo de Sancti Petri, declarado Bien de Interés Cultural, y donde los arqueólogos han ubicado recientemente el mítico templo de Hércules Gaditano, uno de los santos griales de la arqueología, y si el tiempo lo permite, podremos disfrutar de un baño frente a él antes de retomar el camino de regreso.
Target group(s): 5 participants
Objectives: Through hiking, people of all ages can get into the natural environment and get to know ethnographic, heritage and cultural elements, as well as the native flora and fauna of a given area, inaccessible by other means. Benefits:
1. Improvement of physical condition. It is an aerobic sport, which will allow us to improve our lung capacity, endurance and muscle toning, especially in the lower body. It can be a great ally in the face of ‘operation bikini’! It will also improve our cardiovascular health, preventing diseases and an increase in cholesterol and glucose levels. Nor should we forget that thanks to hiking we will prevent the onset of joint and back pain, as well as osteoporosis, as we will increase our bone density. For all these reasons, it is a highly recommended activity, especially for people over the age of 40.
2. It improves self-esteem. They say that sport is addictive, and so much so! When you discover hiking you will return home on Sunday afternoon with your batteries well charged and with the desire to eat up the week. It will be a total disconnection in which, in addition to having been practising sport, you will discover something new on each route.
3. Permanent contact with nature. Nowadays we pay little attention to our health, and hiking will allow us to inhale pure air without the pollution of the big cities.
4. Socio-cultural enrichment. As it is an activity that can be practised individually, as a couple, or in a group, it will allow us to meet people or families with the same concerns or lifestyles as ours. Sport is also a method of social knowledge, interaction and socialisation. We never know when we might need help from others, and this is a team sport. Thanks to hiking, and above all with the help of a qualified guide, we will get to know new places and learn more about the heritage, fauna, flora and treasures of the terrain.
5. Improves the quality of your sleep - you'll sleep like a log! Hiking is an activity that generates great relaxation and at the same time requires an enormous amount of energy. Therefore, if we get used to it, we will be able to recharge our batteries and make our day-to-day life more proactive and successful.
Spain