Serra Gelada is the world’s first terrestrial maritime park. Valencian CommunityA unique combination of sea and mountains rising majestically behind the Mediterranean.
The routes that can be followed in this protected nature park with an area of 5,564 hectares allow you to explore 300-meter-high cliffs and get to know nature. albir lighthouse, See Punta del Cavall, enjoy the hidden coves and marvel at the wide variety of animals and plants as it is home to an interesting fossil dune and two micro-flora reserves with various endemisms.
Birds such as the Storm Bird, Audouin’s Seagull, raptors such as the Peregrine Falcon and other species such as the Shag, Cory’s Shearwater or Balearic Shearwater stand out. Marine species such as Vermetida, Nacra and numerous fish, crustaceans and other invertebrates. In addition to one of the few families of bottlenose dolphins that live permanently in the Valencia region.
Routes
Composed of limestone and marl, this mountainous coastline that separates Benidorm from Altea can be explored by following three routes: blue, red and yellow.
At least to the most difficult, the blue route starts at the end of Benidorm’s Levante beach, passes through the coves of Almadrava and Ti Ximo, and ends at the Punta del Cavall viewpoint, where there is a watchtower. Philip II in the 16th century to protect the city from pirate attacks.
The red route starts at the Albir Information Point (Alfás del Pi), takes the street «Camí de la Cantera», ending in an old stone quarry, along the asphalt road to the lighthouse we find « Caleta. del Metge”, several viewpoints, Phoenician ocher mines and later Roman exploitation (where the mustard used as dye was extracted), the shady mountain “Boca de la Balena” or “Cova de Bou” and l’ Lighthouse Albir, but before that a small climb offers a beautiful view of the cliff.
At medium-high difficulty, the yellow route starts at the Albir recreation area, climbing zigzag stone stairs to the access path to the telecommunication repeater known as “Alt del Governador”, offering a splendid view of this geodesic peak. cliffs and yellow-legged gulls make you think of examples. In constant ups and downs, the route passes by an old seaside watchtower and a small cistern, offering beautiful views of l’illa Mitjana. Raco de l’Oix district.
There are also three climbing sectors that do not require express authorization but require communication with the Nature Park.
sea area
As it is the ultimate water park with 4,920 hectares of sea, one of the most attractive ways to get to know it is to sail on some type of boat. In its waters are some of the most interesting and surprising underwater areas in the entire Mediterranean Peninsula, highlighting vast meadows of protected seagrass known locally as Alguers (Posidonia oceanica) and rocky seabeds like that of La Llosa. extraordinary biodiversity.