The Valencian Community is synonymous with sun and beaches, but those who dare to go a little further will discover a natural wealth that may surprise. Yes, the Levante and the waters of the Mediterranean combine perfectly in summer, but there is another side, greener and less sandy, which offers many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors surrounded by nature.
The natural parks in this region are an example of the region’s landscape diversity: from wetlands full of life to imposing mountains, river canyons and dense Mediterranean forests. Protected spaces that are the ideal place to disconnect and enjoy activities such as hiking, cycling, bird watching or boat or kayak trips.
In total, there are 22 natural parks distributed between the provinces of Castellón, Valencia and Alicante. From Tinença de Benifassà, in the north of the autonomous community, to the lagoons of La Mata-Torrevieja, completely to the south, in between are numerous environments that give us the opportunity to interact first-hand with nature, offering different plans to share with family or friends.
So if you want to break with the typical image of the Valencian beach, take note because we are going to propose you to discover some of the most remarkable natural parks of the Community and the activities that you can do in each of them.
Albufera Natural Park
- Location: province of Valencia, 10 km south of the city of Valencia
- Activities: boat trips, bird watching, hiking
The Albufera Natural Park is one of the most important wetlands in Spain and a natural jewel just a few kilometres from the city of Valencia. This park is famous for its large freshwater lake, surrounded by rice fields and dunes, which is home to a great diversity of aquatic birds: around 300 different species throughout the year. It is an idyllic place for nature lovers, especially for those interested in bird watching, since the Albufera is home to species such as flamingos, herons, ducks and many more. This guide to the birds of the Albufera can be useful to know them all.
One of the most popular activities in the Albufera is the boat trip on the lake. The traditional albuferencassmall wooden boats, allow you to explore the calm waters and enjoy spectacular views at sunset. In addition, hiking trails surround the park and allow you to explore the paths of the rice fields and dunes on foot. For cyclists, there are prepared routes that combine sport and nature in a rugged environment.
Sierra de Espadán Natural Park
- Location: province of Castellón
- Activities: hiking, biking, bird watching
The Sierra de Espadán Natural Park is the ideal place for mountain lovers. Located in the interior of Castellón, it is one of the easternmost mountain ranges of the Iberian system and offers stunning landscapes as it is home to the largest cork oak forest in the Valencian Community. This park has an extensive network of trails that allow you to explore its mountains and valleys, making it an ideal destination for hiking. Among its most outstanding routes are those that lead to the Pico de Espadán, at 1,099 meters above sea level, from where you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views.
Mountain biking is another of the star activities in the Sierra de Espadán. The bike paths that run along its trails allow us to test our legs pedaling through some of the most beautiful corners of the park. In addition, it is a privileged place for bird watching, since it is not difficult to find species such as Bonelli’s eagle, the Jean-le-Blanc fish eagle, the booted eagle or the goshawk.
Hoces del Cabriel Natural Park
- Location: provinces of Valencia and Cuenca
- Activities: rafting and hiking
The Hoces del Cabriel Natural Park is an impressive river canyon that is part of the course of the Cabriel River, on the border between Valencia and Cuenca. The deep gorges and imposing cliffs that line the river make this park an ideal destination for adventure activities. It rafting This is one of the most exciting experiences you can have here, as the Cabriel Gorge offers perfect white water to make this sport even more exciting.
In addition, hiking is another fantastic option to discover the secrets of the park. There are different routes, including six marked in different colors, that run through the gorges and allow you to observe the native flora and fauna, where you can find peregrine falcons and many mountain goats.
Marjal de Pego-Oliva Natural Park
- Location: between the provinces of Alicante and Valencia
- Activities: bird watching, cycling trails, hiking
The Marjal de Pego-Oliva Natural Park is a wetland located between the provinces of Alicante and Valencia. This system of wetlands and dunes south of the Serpis River was once a lagoon and forms a unique ecosystem full of biodiversity. In fact, it is one of the most important spaces with these characteristics in the Mediterranean basin. The park is ideal for birdwatching enthusiasts. With more than 50 species present, this place is home to herons, stilts, coots, grebes, teals, redfish and numerous species of ducks.
In addition, the park has marked and signposted routes that can be traveled on foot or by bicycle, so that we can explore different corners of the park, crossing sugarcane fields and rice paddies.
Tinença de Benifassà Natural Park
- Location: province of Castellón
- Activities: hiking, wildlife watching, cycling trails
We are located between the regions of Castellón d’Els Ports and El Baix Maestrat, in the Tinença de Benifassà Natural Park. What could be one of the most unknown and surprising corners of the Valencian Community, attracts attention for its steep relief and its vast biodiversity, being the habitat of species such as the deer, the wild cat and the golden eagle, in addition to being able to find vultures and, with a bit of luck, even bearded vultures.
Hiking is one of the most recommended activities in this park, with routes that cross pine and oak forests and take you to remote places of great beauty. They can also be done by bike and, so that you can find the one that best suits your tastes and needs, here are five routes and a map to discover the Tinença de Benifassà Natural Park.
Montgó Natural Park
- Location: province of Alicante
- Activities: kayaking and hiking
The Montgó Natural Park, located between Dénia and Jávea, is known for its important mountain range and for the spectacular views it offers of the interior and the Mediterranean coast. Here we find hiking routes for all tastes and levels, which take us either through the villages of the area or to the top of the park, which can be a good place to contemplate the sea without having to walk on the sand.
But in addition to its trails, the coastal area of the park, especially in Cabo de San Antonio, is a privileged place to practice kayaking. Navigating its crystal clear waters allows you to discover hidden sea caves and enjoy a different landscape seen from the sea. There are guided kayak excursions to Cala del Pope and the micro-vegetal reserve of Illot de la Mona, in which we can discover up close the beauty of this area but also the dangers and threats it faces.
