Nature

Nature is one of the emblems of the Sierra Mariola. All the towns that surround the Sierra Mariola enjoy a privileged natural environment. The abundance of water has given rise to innumerable natural springs, which offer a lush and refreshing landscape around them, which in turn are the origin of so many other recreational areas. In addition, several rivers originate in the Mariola: the Serpis, the Clariano, the Agres and the Vinalopó. Originally, the course of these rivers was the place where the first textile or paper factories were settled, and traces of this activity can still be seen. Another characteristic element of this mountain range, which is the result of the use of natural resources by man, are the cavas, constructions where the winter snow was accumulated for later trade in the form of ice.

This river is 12 km long and is a low-flow stream. It begins in the municipality of Agres, runs through its valley, crosses the municipalities of Muro de Alcoy and Alcocer de Planes and flows into the River Serpis. It is a natural beauty that the visitor cannot miss.

The snow deposit or “nevero” is the emblem of the Sierra Mariola Natural Park, wrongly called Cava Arquejada. It is located in the heart of the natural park within the municipality of Agres and dates back to the 15th century. It is one of the largest and has the best…

The Clariano River is formed in Bocairent and has a length of 40 km, it belongs to the Xúquer river basin and flows into the Albaida river. It flows into Ontinyent where it forms the Pou Clar; from there it goes towards Aielo de Malferit until it reaches Montaverner where…

The Cova de les Finestres is located in the Barranc del Pont Trencat, in the municipality of Alfafara. They are artificial caves of a troglodytic nature that look like windows from the outside and are always built in the middle of a steep cliff, normally in the river valleys and…

The Don Miguel cellar is located on the northern ridge of the Sierra Mariola at an altitude of 1,050 metres. Its external appearance is characterized by the buttresses that were necessary to build to raise the height of the deposit. The interior of the plant is circular, covered with large…

The Font del Baladre rest area is located on the course of the Agres river, in the spot known as l'Estret d'Agres. Works have been carried out around the existing fountain, next to the river, always with water, where there is a small dam. The banks of the river are…

The Font del Tarragò recreational area is equipped with children's games and tables at the very foot of the Sierra Mariola in an unbeatable natural setting. Near this recreational area you will find the Font del Tarragó hostel. [gallery link="file" size="galeria" ids="6979,6980"]

Children's playground, walking area and bar-restaurant. The five-spout fountain, which gives its name to the park, is the source of the fresh water that flows from the "Penyetes" and crosses the entire historic centre of the municipality. Passing through Agullent and not visiting this place is like not having really…

The Molí l'Ombria camping area is located in the central part of the municipality of Banyeres de Mariola, on the left side of the Vinalopó river and near a paper mill with the same name. It is one of the most visited areas of the town, especially during weekends and…

Montblanc is a recreational area with picnic areas, a mountain refuge and other services. From here you can access on foot to the recreational area of the Mató mill where the fountain of the same name is located. This is a space marked by the presence of water that is…

The Pantanet and the Pantanet Cave Mill are one of the most emblematic corners of the village of Alfafara. This place is located about 3 kilometers from the municipality and is accessible by a paved road. The most outstanding feature is the dam called Pantanet, made of stone and well…

In the municipality of Bocairent we will see the source of the river Vinalopó. Its bed runs for the first few kilometres between the towns of Bocairent and Banyeres, in the areas known as Els Brulls and Molí l'Ombria. The Vinalopó is a small river that flows through the interior…

This fountain and its recreational area are located in the same urban area of Alfafara. An ideal place to have a good time with family and friends.

The mountain range is located between the regions of L'Alcoià, El Comtat and la Vall d'Albaida. The peak of Montcabrer becomes the highest point of the sierra at 1390 meters, being the third one in the province of Alicante. Among the most characteristic places are the castles of Barxell, Cocentaina,…

It rises to the west, in front of the Cabeçó de la Cova Blanca. It has a height of 901 metres above sea level and seen from Alfafara it has a well-defined silhouette in the form of a large pyramid, with a truncated vertex. Its ancient Iberian settlement was built…

This fountain is located in the middle of nature, near the Masia de Carbonell. This fresh and natural water source is surrounded by enormous kermes oaks. A visual pleasure for all hiking lovers.

This recreational area has stone and wood tables, a restaurant and a natural water fountain. An ideal natural environment to spend a pleasant day with the family surrounded by nature. In addition, from this point begins the route to see the Cavas.

It is considered the most important source of irrigation in the municipality. In fact, since the first written documents, it is possible to verify the importance of the spring of this place since it covered the needs of domestic use of the town of Alfafara and agricultural of the irrigators.

A small forest recreation area that can be reached from the road that goes up to the sports centre towards the mountain range, in a detour on the right-hand side. There you can leave your vehicle and go to the bottom by taking a short walk. There are tables and…

Close to the Cava Gran; it is located on the upper edge of a slope. The circular well with a depth of 10 metres has been preserved. It has three windows or upper openings and its inside diameter is 7 metres. It maintains, in part, the 30 cm thick semi-spherical…

The chapel stands on a hill near a pine forest. In front of the chapel there is a small esplanade surrounded by cypress trees and a stone cross that replaces the old one that was about a hundred metres further east and marked the border with Agres. This chapel has…

The site is a shelter/cave that opens onto the El Cotet de Muro ravine. It has now been reduced to a small cave formed by two diaclases which were later affected by various karstic processes. Originally it was a large shelter, as evidenced by the remains of the visor and…

Considered the heart of the natural park, the recreational area of the Mariola fountain serves as a starting point or passage for numerous routes with space to rest with natural water, tables and paella pans.

This necropolis is located 3 km from Alfafara, on the road towards Bocairent. It is located just behind the farmhouse of El Pou, on a rocky hill. There you will find one of the most interesting archaeological sites in the whole of Alfafara, and of which there are also certain…

Nestled in the Sierra de Agullent we find the Cava de la Pedrera. A circular snow deposit with a diameter of approximately 8 metres dug into the rock. The path to this cava has been conditioned not long ago so the arrival to the place is much easier.

The Penya El Xorro is a natural source of water and is quite curious because, when it rains heavily for a few days or after a strong storm, a waterfall in the form of a horsetail falls from it. It is a visual spectacle worth contemplating.

The Cava del Portín is located very close to the top of the Portín. Its diameter is 14-18 metres and it has a depth of 9.5 metres. The door through which the snow was extracted is located to the NE and its capacity was 1,910 m3.

The 'Font del Sagristà' is also located in the middle of nature. Another of the vestiges for what we consider the great attraction and heritage of the town of Alfafara is the water.

In the middle of nature, within the natural park of the Sierra de Mariola, more specifically in the municipality of Alfafara, we find some very peculiar rock formations. They are known as 'Els Taulellets' and are in the shape of a table but much larger. A rock formation that must…

It is sheltered by a small valley to the west, by the Gran Ice Cave and by the Room Ice Cave. It is one of the best preserved and presents a building similar to the cave of the Room, surely coinciding with its date of construction. It is a circular…