- Region: Comunidad Valenciana
- Province: Alicante, Valencia
- Declared a Natural Park: 2002
- Park surface area: 17,257 hectares
- Towns and villages: Agres, Alcoy, Alfafara, Bañeres, Bocairente, Cocentaina, Muro de Alcoy
Points of interest
The Pico del Montcabrer dominates the mountainous limestone Sierra de Mariola Natural Park at 1390 m above sea level. This part of the Sierra Bética mountain range has been torturously shaped by tectonic activity, creating 9 peaks over 1000 metres.
The scenic quality is captured in the “Barranc del Sinc” (a ravine which is approached from Alcoi). There are many natural springs in all areas of the mountains which provide moisture for the rich variety of fauna and flora. Snow which falls briefly during the winter months was once collected and placed in “Snow Caves” on the mountains, from where it could later be transported to the towns as ice blocks.
Many herbs grow wild on the mountainside and have been collected and used for perfumery, gastronomic and medicinal purposes over centuries. One of the traditional crafts kept alive is the distillation of these herbs to make alcoholic beverages. The “Herbero de la Sierra de Mariola” is one such drink flavoured with thyme, sage, fennel and lemon verbena amongst others. The “Cantueso Alicantino” is flavoured with an endemic species of long flowered thyme (Thymus longiflorus subsp. ciliatus). Seeds of Anise (Pimpinella anisum) are used to create “Anís Paloma de Alicante”.
The area has long been an important centre for textiles and dying. Of the 350 or so dye plants traditionally used in Valencia, only 50 are in cultivation today, with a plan to increase the variety of these useful plants.
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Flora
The Sierra de Mariola Natural Park is a treasure for botanists and Aleppo pines (Pinus halepensis) are the dominant tree species along with shrubs of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Gorse (Genista scorpius), Rockroses (Cistus sp) and Heather. Other tree types are Holm oak (Quercus ilex), Portuguese Oak (Q. faginea), Manna Ash (Fraxinus ornus), Maple (Acer opalus ssp granatense), Field Elm (Ulmus minor) and Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus) intermingled with Butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus) and Honeysuckle. A wood of Yew trees (Taxus baccata) at “Teixera d’Agres” is protected as a micro reserve, no longer a common species for the area it is the most southern of its kind in Europe.
Open scrub areas have a covering of low growing Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera), Rockroses, Gorse, Spanish Juniper (Juniperus thurifera), Buckthorn and Mediterranean daphne (Daphne gnidium). Dispersed between these shrubby bushes are many aromatic and medicinal herbs such as Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Common agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), Thyme (Thymus piperella), Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas), Narrow-leaved sideritis (Sideritis leucantha), Spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia), Fennel (Foeniculum piperitum) and Shrubby savory (Satureja fruticosa).
There are around 1200 species of plants that have been identified within the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park. Many of these are endemic to Valencia and some to this Sierra alone. One such endemic herb is the Mariola sage (Salvia blancoana subsp. mariolensis).
Fauna
There are many species of raptors to look out for, the endangered Bonelli’s eagle, Golden, Booted and Short-toed eagles, Common buzzard, Peregrine falcon, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Goshawk. Nocturnal raptors include Eagle, Long-eared, Tawny, Scops, Barn and Little owls. Griffon vultures have been reintroduced to the area and are now breeding successfully. Common birds of the locality are Chaffinch, Serin, Robin, Great-tit, Red-legged partridge and Green woodpecker.
Mammals are less likely to be observed as they are generally nocturnal, never the less within the park are Wild boar, Wild cat, Badger and Fox, smaller ones include Stone marten, Weasel, Genet and Rabbit.
Amphibians and reptiles within the area are Iberian water frog (Rana perezi), Iberian spiny toad (Bufo spinosus), Iberian wall lizard (Podarcis hispanica), Spanish Psammodromus (Psammodromus hispanicus), Spanish sand racer (Psammodromus algirus), Ocellated lizard (Timon lepida), Viperine snake (Natrix maura), Ladder snake (Elaphe scalaris), Montpellier snake (Malpolon monspessulanus), Horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) and Lataste’s viper (Vipera latastei).
Also in the area
- There are remnants of civilizations in the area such as the Neolithic mountain cave “Cova La Sarsa” (near Bocairent) with its galleries and halls which cut back some 200m.
- “Cova del Bolumini” at Alfafara, from which ceramics can be seen at the Camilo Visedo museum in Alcoy.
- At “El Salt de Alcoy” various flint tools, animal bones and also teeth of Neanderthal man have been discovered.
- “Mola de Serelles” and “Mola de Agres” are remains from Bronze age villages. Double perimeter walls, sloping on the interior, gave protection. Within the enclosure ceramics have been uncovered.
- Archaeological finds from the Iberian culture have been discovered near “Alberri”, “Castellar” and “El Cabeçó” de la Cova de Mariola.
- There are several towers and castles, mostly now in ruins, from the Arab era. Ones which have been restored are at Banyeres and Cocentaina.
Information/Visitors Centers
Mas de L’Ull de Canals Centro de Información
The Information Center and the management office of the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park are located in Mas d’Ull de Canals, located at kilometer 17.5 of the CV-795 road (Alcoi – Banyeres de Mariola). There is plenty of information for walking routes in the area and an exhibition showing the fauna, flora and customs of the area,
The official website for the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park is here: http://parquesnaturales.gva.es/es/web/pn-serra-de-mariola
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I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain. My articles contain affiliate links that will help you reserve a hotel, bus, train or activity in the area. You don’t pay more, but by using them you do support this website. Thankyou!