Nature Reserve “Sierra de Mariola”

This Nature Reserve is located among the regions of “l’Alcoià”, “el Comtat” and “la Vall d’Albaida”. In this region the Nature Reserve is within the Bocairent municipal area. Its environmental, landscape, social and cultural features are particularly remarkable.

The main access road from Bocairent is the local road which links this town with Alcoy.

There can be found a variety of environments, which are characteristic of the Mediterranean ecosystem. Examples of such ecosystems are the pine forests of white pine, maritime pine and stone pine; kermes oak forests, rupicolous vegetation associated with the many fountains and springs of the mountain; and specific shrubs communities with species such as the blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), the sage of Mariola (Salvia blancoana spp. mariolensis), or the Teixeda (yew forest) of Agres, with its old yew trees (Taxus baccata). There are also signs of sub-humid Mediterranean ecosystems with examples of maples (Acer opalus spp. granatense), flowering ashes (Fraxinus ornus) and oak trees from Valencia (Quercus faginea).

There are currently more than 1 200 superior plant species listed, which indicates the botanical richness of the sierra. Many of these species are used for medicinal, gastronomic or cosmetic purposes, such as the above mentioned sage of Mariola and the blackthorn. However, it is also worth mentioning the royal thyme, the pebrella or the rock tea.

The fauna is very varied and you can find amphibians (frogs and toads), reptiles (flying dragons and snakes) or birds (red-legged partridge, chaffinch, robin, the corvines, etc.). Moreover, you can also find both diurnal raptors (golden eagle, short-toed eagle, buzzard, falcon, goshawk, sparrowhawk, kestrel, etc.) and nocturnal raptors (eagle owl, long-eared owl, barn owl, tawny owl, etc.). It is worth mentioning the reintroduction project of the griffon vulture. Mammals are also very important and the wild cat, the civet cat, the badger or the wild boar are particularly remarkable.

Especially noteworthy is the presence of archaeological remains in the vicinity of the river Vinalopó (paintings and sites from the Neolithic period, Iberian or from the Bronze Age). The “Cavas” to store snow are from a more recent period, and the most important one is the Cava Arquejada (“Curved Cellar”), which is also known as the Cava Gran (“Big Cellar”).

Natural spaces index




What is la Vall? We offer you Our towns Natural spaces Where to stay Where to eat Thematic routes Trekking Recreational areas Museums The Fiestas Map Tourist companies Tourist info Publishing Other sites Contact us Visitors' book Credits
	Nature Reserve “Sierra de Mariola” This Nature Reserve is located among the regions of “l’Alcoià”, “el Comtat” and “la Vall d’Albaida”. In this region the Nature Reserve is within the Bocairent municipal area. Its environmental, landscape, social and cultural features are particularly remarkable. The main access road from Bocairent is the local road which links this town with Alcoy. There can be found a variety of environments, which are characteristic of the Mediterranean ecosystem. Examples of such ecosystems are the pine forests of white pine, maritime pine and stone pine; kermes oak forests, rupicolous vegetation associated with the many fountains and springs of the mountain; and specific shrubs communities with species such as the blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), the sage of Mariola (Salvia blancoana spp. mariolensis), or the Teixeda (yew forest) of Agres, with its old yew trees (Taxus baccata). There are also signs of sub-humid Mediterranean ecosystems with examples of maples (Acer opalus spp. granatense), flowering ashes (Fraxinus ornus) and oak trees from Valencia (Quercus faginea). There are currently more than 1 200 superior plant species listed, which indicates the botanical richness of the sierra. Many of these species are used for medicinal, gastronomic or cosmetic purposes, such as the above mentioned sage of Mariola and the blackthorn. However, it is also worth mentioning the royal thyme, the pebrella or the rock tea. The fauna is very varied and you can find amphibians (frogs and toads), reptiles (flying dragons and snakes) or birds (red-legged partridge, chaffinch, robin, the corvines, etc.). Moreover, you can also find both diurnal raptors (golden eagle, short-toed eagle, buzzard, falcon, goshawk, sparrowhawk, kestrel, etc.) and nocturnal raptors (eagle owl, long-eared owl, barn owl, tawny owl, etc.). It is worth mentioning the reintroduction project of the griffon vulture. Mammals are also very important and the wild cat, the civet cat, the badger or the wild boar are particularly remarkable. Especially noteworthy is the presence of archaeological remains in the vicinity of the river Vinalopó (paintings and sites from the Neolithic period, Iberian or from the Bronze Age). The “Cavas” to store snow are from a more recent period, and the most important one is the Cava Arquejada (“Curved Cellar”), which is also known as the Cava Gran (“Big Cellar”). Natural spaces index Up
	Mancomunitat de Municipis de la Vall d'Albaida