Canteras – Paturro

This second extra segment of the Via Augusta cycling route takes us to Carthago Nova, present-day Cartagena, one of the major ports of the Roman Empire in Hispania and a former Roman colony known as Colonia Urbs Iulia Nova Carthago. Its historical and monumental significance makes it an ideal destination to combine sport, culture, and landscape.

The journey begins in Torreciega, where you can visit the tower that gives the town its name. From there, the route enters the historic center of Cartagena, allowing you to discover archaeological gems such as the Punic Wall, the National Museum of Underwater Archaeology (ARQVA), and the Castle of the Conception, which is accessed via a short climb that rewards you with panoramic views of the port and the city.

With every pedal stroke, Cartagena reveals fragments of its Roman past: the Roman Amphitheatre, the Roman Forum Museum, and the Cerro del Molinete Archaeological Park are must-see stops. Outside the urban core, the Cartagena Quarries offer a visually striking landscape, before returning to the city center to admire the imposing Roman Theatre, a symbol of imperial Cartagena.

The route continues along the national road toward Portman, following the official path of EuroVelo 8, with spectacular views of the port during the descent. The stage ends at the Roman Villa of El Paturro, located in Portman Bay, where structures adapted to the terrain’s slope are preserved through terraced platforms facing the sea.

In total, this stage covers 27.1 kilometers with an elevation gain of 327 meters, making it an accessible option to complete in a single day or split into two parts, while enjoying the historical and natural richness of southeastern Spain.