The Costa Blanca is an excellent place to live and tourism thanks to its climate. But the province of Alicante is more than just beaches and chiringuitos.

Here’s a list of beautiful places to visit in order to enjoy Spain’s nature and beauty!

Contents:

• Fuentes del Algar and Dinoparc Algar
• Fuente Roja Nature Park
• Forat de Bernia
• Route through the Barranco del Infierno Gorge
• Route to the source of the Río Vinalopó (Ruta al nacimiento del Río Vinalopó)
• La Encantada ravine
• Jardín de L’Albarda
• Parque Natural Montgó
• Other Nature Parks in Alicante province
  • El Hondo Natural Park
  • Torrevieja and La Mata Salt Lake Nature Park

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Fuentes del Algar and Dinoparc Algar

Fuentes del Algar, located just 15 km from Benidorm, is a protected natural area with a great ecological heritage.

A visit consists of a 1.5 km circuit along the course of the River Algar: impressive waterfalls; numerous springs gushing from the rock; water tanks where one can take refreshing baths in clear, crystalline water; an old dam, an impressive canal and centuries-old irrigation channels that are still in use today.

All the necessary facilities are available – tourist office, car parks, toilets, first aid, arboretum, picnic area and category 2 campsite.

Also nearby is the Dinopark Algar, ideal for visiting with children, as well as 5 restaurants where you can enjoy the gastronomy of the area.

Forat de Bernia

The Forat de Bernia is a beautiful route through the Sierra de Bernia. The ascent to the mountain, with unbeatable views over Javea City, is through the Forat de Bernia Tunnel, a tunnel cut through one of the mountain’s rocks. You have to crouch down to walk through it – artificial lighting is not required as it is about 50 metres long. This passageway leads to the other side of the mountain – a kind of balcony with amazing views of the Mediterranean Sea and Benidorm.

The Barranco del Infierno Gorge route

This is another of Alicante’s stunning routes. It has many names including: “Hell Hollow” (“Barranco del Infierno”), “cathedral of hiking” (“La Catedral del Senderismo”) or “La ruta de los 6000 escalones” (“The Route of 6000 escalones”).

The trail is located in the Laguar valley. It passes through a beautiful canyon created by the Girona River. It is quite a challenging hike of 14 kilometres, during which you have to climb more than 6,800 stone steps.

Route to the source of the Río Vinalopó (Ruta al nacimiento del Río Vinalopó)

The Sierra de Mariola is one of the greenest areas in northern Alicante. The nature park has many beautiful trails to walk around surrounded by extraordinary beauty.

One of the most emblematic walks in the area is from the village of Bañeres de Mariola to the Fonte de la Coveta, considered the source of the Vinalopo River.

The main attraction on this walk is the Toll Blau waterfall (la Cascada de Toll Blau), a beautiful waterfall in the forest.

La Encantada Gorge

Few excursions combine so much charm in such a short distance as this tour of the Planes, in the Val de Gallinera, known as the Valley of the Cherry Trees. It’s actually not one excursion, but four in one. Firstly, the Way of the Cross, which leads from the village to the chapel of Santo Cristo, where you can enjoy a walk through fields of cherry and almond trees. Next, the trail passes through the Barranco de la Encantada ravine with its waterfall and descends along its backfilled bed, before finally crossing the fields back to Planes, a village that also deserves your visit.

Jardín de L’Albarda

If you like botanical gardens, the Jardín de l’Albarda is the place for you! Created by Enrique Montoliu in the 1990s, the garden, located in Pedreguer, has more than 700 species of Valencian plants.

However, in addition to the rich vegetation, the garden has beautiful mosaics, fountains and small temples that create the feeling of being in a little Renaissance Eden.

Montgó Nature Park (Parque Natural Montgó)

Between Javea and Denia is another of the province’s outstanding natural parks, the Montgó Nature Park. Montgó is a limestone massif that reaches 753 metres in height but this park is much more than just a mountain, as it also includes the plains of Les Planes and the cliffs of Cabo de San Antonio.

The park’s flora numbers over 600 species and the park itself is a great place for birdwatching.

The Cueva del Agua (Water Cave), used by the Romans to supply water to the Montgo slope, is also recommended.

Fuente Roja Nature Park

Located in the l’Alcoià region, between the municipalities of Alcoy and Ibi, this is one of the best-preserved natural areas in the Valencian Community.

Some of the best attractions include: the sanctuary, the forest with its oaks, ash and maple trees, the Cova Gelada cave, the viewing platforms with unbeatable views and the snow wells.

Its 2,298 hectares of protected land include the l’alt de Sant Antoni, the Font Roja grove and the peak of La Teixereta. One of the peaks in the park, Menejador, at 1,356m, is the highest point of the park.

Other natural parks in the province of Alicante

• El Hondo Natural Park

• Torrevieja and La Mata Salt Lake Nature Park (Lagunas de Torrevieja y la Mata)

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We encourage you to visit the places shown in this article – none of them will leave you untouched! Get a boost of natural energy whether you’re already living in Spain or visiting for tourism!

If you are considering buying a property in Spain, please contact our agency Terrasun – we will advise and assist you throughout the entire buying process!