Serra Gelada stands as the world’s first terrestrial maritime park, a striking fusion of sea and mountains rising behind the Mediterranean coastline in the Valencian Community. Its landscape blends rugged cliffs with sheltered coves, inviting visitors to explore a protected reserve that spans 5,564 hectares and showcases a diverse natural heritage.
The park provides accessible routes that traverse limestone and marl coastlines, guiding explorers to dramatic 300-meter-high cliffs, the Albir lighthouse, and Punta del Cavall. Along the way, travelers encounter hidden coves and a remarkable array of flora and fauna, including a fossil dune and two micro-flora reserves with a range of endemisms. The area serves as a living classroom for geology, biology, and coastal ecology, offering insights into past and present coastal dynamics. [citation needed: Serra Gelada Park Authority]
Birdlife in the park is rich and distinctive, with species such as the Storm Petrel, Audouin’s Gull, and various raptors including the Peregrine Falcon standing out. Other notable birds include the Shag, Cory’s Shearwater, and Balearic Shearwater. Marine life is equally varied, featuring Vermetidae, Nacra and a host of fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. The area is also home to one of the few permanent bottlenose dolphin populations in the Valencia region. [citation needed: Avian and Marine Research Council]
Routes
Measuring the coastline in limestone and marl, Serra Gelada forms a dramatic ridge that separates Benidorm from Altea. Visitors can follow three color-marked trails: blue, red, and yellow. The blue route is the most challenging; it begins at the end of Benidorm’s Levante beach, skirts around Almadrava and Ti Ximo coves, and culminates at the Punta del Cavall viewpoint, where a historic watchtower once protected the city from pirate incursions in the 16th century. [citation needed: local historical society]
The red route starts at the Albir Information Point, travels along Camí de la Cantera, and finishes at an old stone quarry near the lighthouse. Along the way, hikers encounter the Caleta del Metge, several viewpoints, old Phoenician ocher mines, and later Roman exploitation sites where dye was produced. The route also passes through the shady Boca de la Balena or Cova de Bou, and reaches Albir Lighthouse, with a short climb offering a striking view of the cliff. [citation needed: regional heritage commission]
With medium-high difficulty, the yellow route begins at the Albir recreation area, ascending zigzag stone stairs to a path near Alt del Governador, a geodesic peak that rewards visitors with expansive views of cliffs and seabirds, including the yellow-legged gulls. The route continually rises and falls, crossing an old seaside watchtower and a small cistern, and offering vistas of L’illa Mitjana and the Raco de l’Oix district. [citation needed: local hiking associations]
There are also three climbing sectors that do not require formal authorization, though communication with the Nature Park is advised. [citation needed: park regulations]
Sea area
The sea sector of Serra Gelada spans approximately 4,920 hectares and invites visitors to explore by boat, sailing through one of the Mediterranean’s most dynamic underwater environments. The waters feature vast seagrass meadows, locally known as Alguers (Posidonia oceanica), and rocky substrates around La Llosa, contributing to an extraordinary biodiversity that supports numerous marine species. This marine habitat provides critical shelter for fish, invertebrates, and other marine life, illustrating the health and balance of the coastal ecosystem. [citation needed: marine biodiversity report]