The natural parks and protected areas of the Marina Alta are a must for getting to know the region. From north to south, you can find five of these places that only enrich its heritage, showing the most distinctive and distinguished environments in the area.
We tell you what they are, how to get there and some routes to enjoy them:
Penyal d'Ifac Natural Park
The natural park of Peñón de Ifach in Calp it is one of the great hallmarks of the Costa Blanca. The large calcareous rock has a height of 332 meters above sea level, 53,3 hectares in surface and 1 kilometer in length. In 1987, it was the first area in the province of Alicante to be declared a Natural Park, in addition to being recognized as a protected area despite its short size.
Its unique environment, together with the bioclimatic characteristics, soils, location and orientation of the rock, make the place of great relevance and uniqueness, housing a wide variety of flora and fauna. Not in vain has it been considered one of the seven wonders of the Valencian Community since 2008, as the most visited Natural Park in the entire autonomous territory.
On its west side, it is bordered from the sea by the Príncipe de Asturias Ecological Walk, where the Racó cove is located. Opposite, you can also admire the Calp salt flats, whose extension in Roman times reached from Penyal to the nearest mountains. But something that completes the fascinating history of the rock is the archaeological site of the Pobla Medieval d'Ifac. A walled enclosure from the late 13th century, which was installed as an urban enclave on the slopes of the rock.
Finally, the town was abandoned, its neighbors settling in the current walled old town of Calp. The Archaeological Museum (MARQ), together with the Calp City Council, has been carrying out the relevant archaeological work since 2005 to recover and adapt the Medieval Town of Ifach.
Location
The rock of Ifach is located between La Fossa beach and the port area. To get to the entrance of the natural park it is necessary to go to Calle Isla Formentera that ends at Calle del Peñón. Right at that point are the access doors to the area.
To access you need book, since the capacity is limited to 300 people per day throughout the year. The schedule is free, as long as it is not at night.
Ruta
The Red Route is the route up to the Rock, which begins at the Information Center. The first section of the climb is delimited by a fenced path on the north face, easy to distinguish due to its zigzag shape. As you walk through it you can find the first viewpoint, "de Poniente", the medieval town of Ifach, an area of fallen pine trees due to the effect of the east wind and, finally, the "Botanico Cavanilles viewpoint".
Continuing along the path and once crossing the tunnel that leads to the east face, it forks and offers two options. On the one hand, reach the viewpoint called “Posta de Carabineros” towards the south or continue to the top in the opposite direction. It is to reach the top of the Peñón de Ifach that the difficulty of the path becomes tougher. Once at the top, a geodesic vertex will indicate the end of the route.
Protected landscape of the Serra de Bèrnia and Ferrer
La Serra de Bèrnia and Ferrer is a set of coastal and pre-coastal mountain ranges that naturally separates the regions of Marina Alta and Marina Baixa. Its pronounced ridge, about 900 meters high, gives it much of its identity as a protected wild landscape. The figure of Bèrnia is easily recognizable from several towns such as Xaló, Alcalalí, Benissa, Calp, Tárbena, Callosa d'en Sarrià and Altea.
According to the more technical explanation of the Regional Ministry of the Environment of the Generalitat, «the closed barrier of the Sierra de Bèrnia is perpendicular to the coast and sunk into the sea at its eastern end by the Morro de Toix breakers. It is oriented approximately from west to east, according to a northwest-southeast direction and a length of about 9 kilometers.
The high landscape value of the complex granted it, since 2006, the title of Protected Landscape of the Valencian Community. However, the 2.843 hectares of extension with this name are included between the municipalities of Benissa and Xaló. Previously, in 2001, it was included among the Places of Community Interest (SCI) of the Valencian Community, since its high altitude, the maximum is 1.129 meters above sea level, the morphological and geological diversity and its proximity to the sea. They provide an enormous wealth of habitats and species of flora and fauna in the area.
Apart from its notorious natural value, the Serra de Bèrnia y Ferrer is another witness to the long history lived in the region. The human presence is confirmed among its corners with cave paintings, terraces for agriculture or livestock, or with constructions of high interest, such as the Tower and the Fort of Bèrnia.
Where is
From the Marina Alta, the Serra de Bèrnia is south of Benissa and Xaló. To visit it, most trails begin their route in Les Cases de Bèrnia.
Ruta
There are several routes to get to know the Serra de Bèrnia i Ferrer in depth, but one of the best known is the circular one along the PR-CV-7 trail.
The route starts from Les Cases de Bèrnia de Xaló, from where it will head southeast. The track descends towards the Font de Bèrnia, a path that connects with the PR-CV 436 trail. At this point you must leave the track and ascend the narrow path on the right.
The final section is located under the limestone rock wall where the Forat de Bèrnia in the northern part of the mountain range is located. It will be necessary to cross it towards the south, delicately, since the tunnel is narrow. Once crossed, it will be necessary to head northwest. Along the path, a detour directs the visitor to the cave paintings of the Penya de l'Ermita del Vicari.
We will have to retrace the route towards the paintings to return to the main route. This heads towards the Fort de Bèrnia. This was built in 1562 ordered by King Philip II to prevent Berber attacks along the coast and Moorish revolts.
From the Fort you should follow the northwest direction, passing through a natural viewpoint with views of the Penya l'Or and Bolulla. From here, heading north, begin the descent back to Les Cases de Bèrnia.
Protected landscape of the Vall de les Sorts
The protected landscape of the Vall de Les Sorts, in Teulada Moraira, is an agricultural valley that is characterized by vine crops, exactly of the Roman muscat variety. It stands out because, despite the changes in the municipality, from an agricultural to an urban character, Les Sorts continues to be a productive space of great importance and offers crucial functions in environmental and landscape aspects. In addition, it is a cultural reference point and a symbol of the municipality's identity.
Located near the center of Moraira, Les Sorts is a recreational spot for both local residents and visitors. The agricultural valley landscape is worthy of protection and planning to ensure the conservation of habitats and fauna, while providing the necessary infrastructure for the enjoyment of visitors.
The Vall de Les Sorts is a landscape in constant evolution, the result of human interaction throughout history. Its status reflects the need to safeguard its natural, landscape, aesthetic and cultural values. Municipality of Teulada Moraira proposed the implementation of the Protected Landscape status for the valley in 2005 and it was granted in 2006. This title promotes active management, considering the economic, social and territorial processes that influence its development and adaptation to new historical realities.
Where is
Les Sorts is located between the urban center of Teulada and Moraira. To get to it it will be necessary to take the road from Teulada to Moraira.
Ruta
The route that runs through the Vall de Les Sorts is an easy walk around the valley. You can start on Gerona street, a point that connects with the road from Teulada to Moraira. It is a straight route, with a sidewalk attached to the valley.
From Gerona you go to Guadalajara Street and then to Camí de la Camarrocha. This ends near the Poliesportiu Les Sorts and l'Espai la Senieta de Moraira.
Montgó Natural Park
The Montgó Natural Park is one of the most impressive landscapes on the Valencian coast, combining natural beauty and a rich cultural and archaeological heritage. It was designated as a Natural Park in 1987, covering an area of 2117.68 hectares.
They extend between the municipalities of Dénia y Xàbia, with an altitude that reaches 753 meters. This park is a testimony to the passage of man throughout history and is characterized by its cultural and archaeological wealth. This statement is based on the great variety of finds and evidence existing in the Montgó that confirm the human presence there from the Paleolithic, the Neolithic, the Bronze Age, the Iberian, Roman, Muslim and medieval times to the present day.
One of the main characteristics of Montgó is its diverse flora, with more than 650 species of plants, including endemisms such as Carduncellus dianius. This park extends to the sea at Cap de Sant Antoni, which houses the Cap de Sant Antoni Seabed Natural Reserve. The reserve was recognized as such in 1994 due to the importance of its seabed and its biodiversity.
Location
It is possible to access the Montgó Natural Park from Xàbia, to the south of the massif, or from Dénia, to the north of it. The Interpretation Center of the Montgó Natural Park, where the greatest display of information is found, is located in the Bosc de Diana public park in Dénia.
Ruta
There are numerous routes that run through the Montgó, both from Dénia and from Xàbia. Each municipality offers different itineraries to fully enjoy the natural park.
One of the most chosen is the one that leads to the top from the Dénia shooting range, next to the Les Planes road. It is characterized by being a fairly steep path and, despite being one of the shortest routes, the difficulty is high.
Once you reach the shooting range parking lot, the path leads to a wide track where you take the path to the right of Montgó. It will be necessary to follow the track to the path that zigzags to the top. The last stretch along the limestone ridge is the most complicated, although the views are worth all the effort.
Marjal Pego-Oliva Natural Park
The Marjal de Pego-Oliva Natural Park is a large wetland located between the town of Pego, in the Marina Alta, and Oliva, in La Safor. Its extension covers 1.255 hectares and is located in a mountainous horseshoe formed by the Mostalla, Migdia and Segària mountain ranges.
The marsh is characterized by its rich biodiversity, high quality waters and their abundance. Two main rivers cross its area: the Bullent or Vedat in the north and the Racons or Molinell in the south. In addition, the natural park has numerous tributaries and springs known as ullals.
In 1994, the Pego-Oliva Marsh was declared a Natural Park under Law 11/94 of December 27. This area also enjoys international recognition as it is part of the 1971 Ramsar Convention for the protection of wetlands. And, on the other hand, it is integrated into the Natura 2000 Network of the European Union and is considered a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA).
Where is
The Marjal de Pego-Oliva is located separating both towns and provinces, Valencia and Alicante. To access the park it will be necessary to reach the municipality of Pego and look for the parking lot and the Muntanyeta Verda picnic area.
Ruta
The Marjal-Pego Oliva Natural Park has numerous routes to get to know the surroundings. In recent years, ornithological tourism has been promoted, since it is a perfect place to spot birds. Furthermore, the osprey recovery project in the Marjal, also carried out recently, attempts to successfully complete the reintroduction of this majestic bird so that the Marjal becomes one of its homes.
One of the routes that runs through the vicinity of the wetland and that also allows you to enter it, is the Muntanyeta Verda. It is easy to access, from the parking lot itself, and is very easy to do. The path of this route begins leaving the parking lot and the recreational area located there on the left.
The route is circular, it surrounds the aforementioned Muntanyeta and allows, within the opening days and hours, to climb the promontory to observe the Marjal from above. More information and images of the route.
