de la font roja
English version
Parc Natural de la Font Roja parque_fontroja@gva.es Edificio Font Roja Natura Carretera de la Font Roja s/n 03801 Alcoi (Alacant) Tel. 96 533 76 20 http://parquesnaturales.gva.es Assistance from:
Printing this material has been possible thanks to the Cooperation Agreement signed on 21st April 2006 by the Caja de Ahorros y Pensiones de Barcelona, "la Caixa" and the Generalitat Valenciana (Autonomous Community Authority) for Undertaking the Integral Management Plan for Conservation of the Natural Systems of the Valencian Community s Network of Nature Reserves.
Layout:
Benjamín Albiach Galán Kun.Xusa Beltrán
Photography:
Benjamín Albiach Galán Juan Luís Albors J. Acosta
Map Design:
Pau Pérez Puigcerver source: ICV (Cartographic Institute of Valencia)
Texts:
Environmental educacion team
Printed: Legal Deposit:
Centro Especial de Empleo, IVADIS
Date declared a Nature Reserve: 13th April 1987 Date of approval of PORN: (Plan for Administration of Natural Resources) 16th July 2004 In l'Alcoià county, between the municipal boundaries of Alcoy and Ibi, you will find the ‘Parc Natural de la Font Roja’, one of the best preserved nature areas in Valencian territory. The nature reserve sandal some 2.298 have, and he/she understands the mountainous alignment of l'alt of Sant Antoni, the carrascal of Red Font and Teixereta. The summit of Menejador, with 1.356 m of height is the highest bench mark in the reserve. The range, part of the Bético system, has a position and geological history proper to this chain of mountains. The massif consists basically of lime rocks from the Tertiary geological era. The ‘Cova Gelada’, very close to the ‘Font Roja’ sanctuary, vouches for the existence of the karstification processes commonly associated with this type of rock. A series of cliffs and rubble zones has developed under the crest of the Menejador. The stony outcrops and the finer materials, that come from collapsing cliffs and other limestone rocks, represent the materials of the Quaternary. Keuper's marls are the most ancient materials in the park (Triassic period of the secondary age), and come to the surface at the road for access to the ‘Font Roja’ sanctuary and the Tetuán path.
J. L. Albors
J. L. Albors
Wildcat (Felis sylvestris)
Eagle owl (Bubo bubo)
The existence of a well-preserved wood and different landscape areas in the park, such as the long cliffs, stony outcrops, pines and farmland, all favour the presence of rich and varied fauna.
It is also one of the last nesting redoubts in the southern counties of Valencia of such ornithological species as the eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) or the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), amongst others.
Associated with wood formations there are species such as the robin (Erithacus rubecula) and firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus), common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), great tit (Parus major), short-toed treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla), jay (Garrulus glandarius) and the tawny owl (Strix aluco).
Of all the species of fauna inhabiting the Reserve, there are a few prominent ones through their scarcity or rarity such as Bonelli's eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus), stone marten (Martes foina) and the eagle owl (Bubo bubo). In the invertebrate fauna the presence of the Euphydryas desfontanii butterfly is relevant for its rarity.
As regards mammals, its large numbers make the boar (Sus scrofa) an important part of the fauna. Also found are the genet (Genetta genetta), the weasel (Mustela nivalis), the wildcat (Felis sylvestris) or the badger (Meles meles).
The sunny area is the domain of different species of reptiles such as the lacertid lizard (Psammodromus algirus), Lataste's viper (Vipera latastei), the ladder snake (Elaphe scalaris), southern smooth snake (Coronella girondica) and the ocellated lizard (Lacerta lepida)
Fauna
J. Acosta
sis), the whitebeam (Sorbus aria), the yew (Taxus baccata), etc.. The biogenetic interest of the plants forming this wood and its nature as a relic in the Valencian area give this high ecological value. The seasonal change due to the deciduous and marcescent nature of many of the dominant plants make this countryside an area of great beauty through its wide chromatic range.
Chromatic variety of the vegetation of the parc in the spring time
Vegetation The way the mountain range stretches from northeast to southwest means that the cold damp winds from the northeast prevalent in the reserve are prone to be held up at the north face and leads to rain there. The vegetation also facilitates the condensation of mist, producing the crypto-precipitation that increases the amount of water supplied to the ground. This fact, along with the relief, which is a lot steeper and rougher on the north face, and the dominance of limestone materials in the lithological composition, have led to the presence of different plant landscape systems: Deciduous woods. In the darker and shadier corners of the northern side and at altitudes over 1,250 metres, there are woods of deciduous trees consisting of the gall oak (Quercus faginea ssp. valentina), the ash (Fraxinus ornus), the maple (Acer opalus ssp. granaten-
Shady evergreen oak groves. From 600 to 1,250 metres in altitude there is a wood of evergreen oaks (Quercus ilex ssp. rotundifolia), enriched with deciduous plants such as the ash or the maple, and marcescent trees such as the gall oak in the cooler and shadier zones. The evergreen oak undergrowth is plentiful, with many different species such as ivy (Hedera helix), honeysuckle (Lonicera implexa and L. etrusca), wild madder (Rubia peregrina), spring snowflake (Viburnum tinus) or the hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). Sunny zone brushwood. The greater amount of sunlight and dry nature of the southern face allow these bushes with some scattered evergreen oaks to grow. The species that commonly appear in this unit are the sister cushion (Erinacea anthyllis) from 900 metres in altitude, types of gorse (Ulex parviflorus and Genista scorpius), rockroses (Cistus sp.), junipers (Juniperus oxycedrus), aromatic and medicinal plants such as thyme (Thymus vulgaris), pebrella (Thymus piperella), the Mariola sage (Salvia blancoana ssp. mariolensis), spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and all sorts of gramineae which differentiate the sunny zone from shadier parts, such as Stipa tenacissima. Rock vegetation. On the slopes, extended cliffs and gashes in the rock common on the shady side of the Menejador there are plants adapted to growth in scanty soil conditions, such as the Jasione foliosa, Potentilla caulescens, etc.. Their root-taking strategies enable them to settle in cracks in which there is only a tiny amount of soil.
Rubble vegetation. On the slopes covered with loose stones, at the base of the sheer drops, there are plants adapted to life in a highly unstable medium, such as the service-berry (Amelanchier ovalis), the ash, the maple and the whitebeam.
455 different species of fungi have been found, seeking their nourishment in different ways, either saprophytic, parasitic or symbiotic. In a normal year fructification starts in October and ends in January-February. Lichens, symbiotic associations between fungi and algae, colonise areas where other plants find it hard to grow. These are organisms of great ecological value, providing food and shelter for many animal species, securing atmospheric nitrogen and acting as effective bioindicators of atmospheric contamination. There is a wide range of these organisms to be found in the Reserve.
Pine woods. On the lower levels of the mountain range, in the zones where charcoal production and evergreen oak felling have been intense, the evergreen oak groves have suffered greatly. The Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) woods are to a large extent the result of repopulation introduced in former evergreen oak zones.
The weather conditions prevalent here lead to a plentiful variety of mycological and cryptogamic flora, fungi, lichens and mosses.
One should stress the presence of certain endemisms. A plant endemism is a species whose worldwide distribution is very restricted. In the ‘Parc Natural de la Font Roja’ there are some exclusive endemisms such as Salvia blancoana ssp mariolensis and others with a very limited distribution area such as the "carraspique" (Iberis carnosa ssp hegelmaieri), "Valencian pea" (Lathyrus tremolsianus), rock plant Saxifraga corsica ssp cossoniana and "pebrella" (Thymus piperella).
Evergreen oaks (Quercus ilex)
Valencian pea (Lathyrus tremolsianus) J. L. Albors
J. L. Albors
Crops. The surface area used for crops is of scanty relevance due to the rather unfavourable weather and geographical conditions. The crops found are unirrigated land varieties (cereals, fruit and olive trees).
B. Albiach Galán
Pou de Neu del Canyo
History At the ‘Font Roja’ the traces of the work done by man taking advantage of the natural resources available here can still be seen. The production of charcoal from dry branches of evergreen oak was done by building charcoal kilns, which have left blackened circles with no plant life still visible beside the paths. In some areas of the park there are still remains of ancient lime ovens - cylindrical structures where the limestone was transformed through heat into lime, which was used in building and as a disinfectant. The farmland was used in estates scattered over the reserve, most of them on the skirts of the mountainside, taking advantage of the less steep slopes and seeking areas that were favourable for farming. The heart
of the estate, run by a single family is the mas; a building which played the role of house, stable and farmyard. These farmsteads represented the commonest way of life and agro-forestry work in the Spanish peninsula's Levante region. Special mention should be given to the six ‘cavas’, or snow pits, large deep holes reinforced with masonry walls and roofs, which from the 17th to the early 20th centuries, were used as supplies of ice for neighbouring towns and villages as a gastronomic or medical commodity. In the 18th century the snow trade played an important role in the mountain counties, propitiating the birth of the ice-cream industry in places like Jijona.
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‘Pla de la Mina’ A little later you come to the ‘Pla de la Mina’, where there is a reproduction of a lime oven and two vantage points over this. Here you can appreciate the reddish colour of the clays that come out to the surface among the calcareous rock of which these mountains are made.
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‘Pla dels Galers’ At 1.1 Km from the start you reach the ‘Pla dels Galers’, where it is easy to find boar (Sus scrofa) tracks in the mud and even mudbaths where they wallow. In this tract of the itinerary, the carrascar forms a dense covered with vegetation in the one that different species of mosses, líquenes and climbings are plentiful, favored by an environmental bigger humidity and an appreciable descent of the temperature.
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Pilatos vantage point About 900m further on, on the right you will find the Pilatos vantage point, from which there is a splendid view of the ‘‘Parc Natural de la Serra Mariola’ mountain range and the valley of the river Polop. Looking back across the north side of the ‘Carrascal de la Font Roja’ you can see in the higher zones the profuse deciduous trees which, combined with the holm oaks, form the mixed Mediterranean wood.
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‘Mas de Tetuán’ 2.6 Km from the beginning we reach the ‘Mas de Tetuan’, an example of traditional farming techniques, built in the late 19th century. Beside the threshing floor you will find an ancient specimen of the teak (Taxus baccata), a species of which very few specimens remain in the Park.
‘Menejador’ itinerary This roughly 6 km itinerary is the Park's main route, and tends to take about 2,30 hours. The first half of the route goes along the north side of the mountain range, where you can see the shady holm oak groves characterised by the plentiful ilex or holm oaks (Quercus ilex) with some specimens of the maple (Acer opalus ssp. granatense), ash (Fraxinus ornus) and gall oak or Valencian oak (Quercus faginea ssp. valentinae).
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’Cova Gelada’ Starting from the Visitors' Centre, located at an altitude of 1,050m, you will soon come to the ‘Glorieta dels Paellers’, where the most ancient holm oaks in the Park are found. 20 m away on the left-hand side you will see the ‘Cova Gelada’, characterised by its coolness (7ºC).
CV - 79
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El Preventori
Mas de Merente
Mas de la Borra
Urb. el Baradello
Ermita de Barxell
Xirillen Vell
Urbanización Montesol
796
CV-
El Castellar (yacimiento)
Castell de Barxell
795
CV-
Alcoi El Salt
el Pare Santet
Alt del Troncal
Font del Molinar
Rio Polop
Via verda
-70 CV
Els Canalons CV-785
Ermita de Sant Antoni
Mas de la Safranera
Área Recreativa de Sant Antoni
Racó de Santa Ana
Barranc de la batalla
el Racó de Pellisser Mas del Baró
Mas de Nyego
Mas de Bonavista
40
mirador de Pilatos Cava Coloma
N
-3
el Menejador Cava de Sta. Maria
Pou de Noguera Pou de Simarro
Mas de Foladeretes
Urb. l’Estepar
Pou del Canonge
Pou del Canyo
Mas de Roc
-8 CV 01
Mas de Foiaderes Mas de Canonge 6 A-3
pinturas rupestres de la Sarga
Mas de Mató Ermita de Sant Pascual Casa de Campos
y área recreativa
Venta de Sant Rafel
Font del Mas de Felip N-
34
0
Mas de Castelló Font del Corbó
Ibi
road
E: 1/60.000
Les Foies Blanques Font de la Devesa
0
500
1.000
2.000
4.000 m
‘Menejador’ itinerary
information centre
castle
path
‘Barranc d l’infern’ itinerary
geodesic vertex
hermitage
cave
administrative boundary
The short itinerary
peak
rest area
fountain
viewing point
parking
constructions
snow well
‘cava Coloma’ After a further 800m you reach the ‘Cava Coloma’, an icehouse built with a capacity of 2,200m3, one of the most ancient constructions used for keeping and storing snow, obtained by collecting and pressing inside the snow from the surroundings of the well.
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Going along the forest track you reach the south or sunny side, appreciating the different vegetation in this zone, where the holm oaks are seen scattered and stunted, with a predominance of aromatic plants like thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Gramineae such as esparto grass (Stipa tenacissima) and also scorpion broom (Genista scorpius), rock rose (Cistus sp.) and junipers (Juniperus oxicedrus). In this zone it is easy to see reptiles such as the ladder snake (Elaphe scalaris) or the ocellated lizard (Lacerta lepida). From this point you can see a further three icehouses: Noguera, Simarro and Caño.
‘el Menejador’ After reaching the water tank for fire extinguishing there are still 500m to the top. The Menejador (point 7), with its 1,352m, is one of the highest points in the province, which means that on clear days you can see as far as the Island of Tabarca, or the table of Almansa, apart from the surrounding mountains: Mariola, Aitana, Cabeçó d'Or, Maigmó, Penya Roja... When you go down along the forest track, at 50m from the water tank you will find the Carboneras path which, down fairly steep steps, takes you down the shady side back to the ‘Pla de la Mina’. It is a very narrow path of about 900 m which makes the visitor feel really enclosed by the wood. The path ends in the forest track, which you follow to the right for ten minutes until coming to the Santuario square, where there is the popular ‘Font Roja’ spring.
Cava Coloma B. Albiach Galán
Sight towards the north from the ‘Menejador’ J. L. Albors
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‘Barranc d l’infern’ itinerary This roughly 4’5 km itinerary normally takes about 1:45 hours, leading along the north side at altitudes from 950 to 1,190m. 1
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‘Cova Gelada’ The route starts at the Visitors' Centre, as far as a short distance from the ‘Glorieta dels Paellers’, where the most ancient holm oaks in the park are found. 20 m away you will see the Cova Gelada (point 1) on the left, characterised by its coolness (7ºC). ‘Pla de la Mina’ A little later you reach the ‘Pla de la Mina’, where there is a reproduction of a lime oven, and two vantage points with lovely views. In this zone you can appreciate the reddish colour of the clays that come out to the surface among the calcareous rock of which these mountains are made.
In this area you can see the shady holm oak grove characterised by the plentiful holm oaks (Quercus ilex) with some specimens of the maple (Acer opalus ssp. granatense), ash (Fraxinus ornus) and gall oak or Valencian oak (Quercus faginea ssp. valentinae). ‘Pla dels Galers’ At 1.1 Km from the start you get to the ‘Pla dels Galers’, the highest point on the route and where it is easy to find tracks of boars (Sus scrofa) in the mud and mudbaths where they wallow. From this point, looking towards the higher zones, you can view the mixed Mediterranean wood characterised by the plentiful deciduous trees accompanying the holm oaks. By crossing the Pla to the right you find the path that drops towards the ‘Barranc de l'Infern’ ravine. Amongst the most characteristic vegetation, you can see climbing species such as honeysuckle (Lonicera implexa and L. etrusca) and the wild madder (Rubia peregrina). In the sunnier zones there is also a plentiful presence of bushes such as the wild genista (Cytisus heterochrous), the escobón (Cytisus reverchonii) and the hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). This environment acts as the habitat for many animal species, amongst which you can see birds such as the sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), goshawks (Accipiter gentilis), robins (Erithacus rubecula), warblers (Sylvia sp.), nightingales (Luscinia megarhynchos)... After a ten-minute descent there is a spectacular rocky cliff, where the path takes a turn allowing a lovely view of the valley of the river Polop. As you go on you will see a change in the type of vegetation, going from the shady holm oak groves to a predominance of pine trees, which corresponds mainly to repopulations of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) in zones previously occupied by holm oaks. The bush strata of this ecosystem is poorer as regards the quantity and variety of species, with a predominance of scorpion broom (Genista scorpius), rock rose (Cistus sp.) and some junipers (Juniperus oxycedrus).
B. Albiach Galán
sight of the santuary from the ‘Barranc d’Infern’
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‘Barranc d l'Infern’ After a little over one hour's walk, you come to the ‘Barranc de l'Infern’, a very damp and cool zone, through which water runs at rainy times. Here there are many ferns and moss, and the leaves of the spring snowflake or laurustine (Virburnum tinus) reach a spectacular size. There are also elm blackberries (Rubus ulmifolius), butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus) and ivies (Hedera helix). Walking along the following ravine if you look up you can see the Ecocentro building, and appreciate that at this point you are at the lowest point along the route. In hardly 20 minutes you will have reached the road, after crossing two small ravines. On the right of the curve there is the ‘Font del Rossinyol’, and stairs which lead to a barbecue area. After a ten minute walk along the road you will be back at the Sanctuary.
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The short itinerary This itinerary of 750 m, which usually takes just 25 minutes, runs along the zone for public use on the northern side of the range and allows you to get to know the characteristics of the Mediterranean ecosystem found in the park without getting too tired in the process! The itinerary starts from a path located on the left of the large holm oak found in the parking zone. About 200 m away on the left you can see an old quarry from which stone was obtained for building certain constructions in the area. Along the whole itinerary you can see the variety of species forming this holm oak colony: the holm oak (Quercus ilex), maple (Acer opalus ssp. granatense), ash (Fraxinus ornus), Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) and bushes such as the spring snowflake (Viburnum tinus) or the amelanchier (Amelanchier ovalis).
B. Albiach Galán
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‘Cova Gelada’ A little under 100 m away you come to the Cova Gelada (point 2), a specimen of the Karstic modelling found in mountains consisting of limestone. Another example of structures resulting from erosion processes affecting these rocks is the Penya L'Espinella which is on the left of the track a little further on and acts as a shelter for a maple with a bushy shape. Along the track you will see an emergence of the clayey materials which give the earth a red colour and the name to this spot.
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Sight from the ’Pla de la Mina’
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‘Font dels Xops’ Just 100 m further on you come to the ‘Font dels Xops’ spring (point 1), where there are beautiful specimens of the poplar (Populus alba), one of which is growing sideways along the ground. On these there are ancient stocks of ivy (Hedera helix). Also in this zone there are gall or Valencian oaks (Quercus faginea ssp. valentinae) and in Spring the flowering of bearded iris (Iris germanica) is spectacular. By going up the stairs you come to the controlled camping site, with room for 20 tents (information and permits from Alcoi Council: 965537141). Other stairs lead you to cross the road to reach the forest track which leads towards the ‘Glorieta dels Paellers’, very highly frequented by visitors as it has zones where fires can be lit if alert situation 3 is not declared.
‘Pla de la Mina’ 300m from the barbecue zone you will find the ‘Pla de la Mina’, where it is easy to find boar (Sus scrofa) tracks in the mud and even mudbaths where they wallow. Here there is a reproduction of a lime oven, beside which there are stairs which lead towards two vantage points. The first gives a view of the valley of Alcoi and the basin of the river Serpis on its way towards Gandía. The second, which is accessed by stairs down, shows a beautiful panorama of the valley of the river Polop and the southern side of the ‘‘Parc Natural de la Serra Mariola”. From here we will take the same road, but crossing by the barbecue sites to go towards the municipal old chalets which is located at about 500m. Going down the stairs in front you come to the Sanctuary square, where there is the famous ‘Font Roja’, from which icy cold water gushes. Beside this there are the hermitage and the building Red Font Nature (FRN) that houses the Center of Visitors of the park, provided with a vantage point which gives a spectacular view of the ‘Barranc de l'Infern’. From here you can see the car park where this itinerary ends.
Visits of interest
Accommodation
In the area of the ‘Font Roja’ Sanctuary there is a chapel dedicated to the Virgin of the Irises. The cultural event which most definitely defines the ‘Parc Natural de la Font Roja’ is the extraordinary occurrence on 21st August 1653, when monk Antonio Bonaventura Guerau found the image of the Virgin Mary on the bulb of an iris. Ten years later the first chapel was built, successively reconstructed until taking its present form. This led to the area becoming a centre of religious interest, today remembered by the crowds of people attending the procession held every summer in honour of the Lady of the Irises.
Apart from the hotels available in Alcoy and Ibi, there are hostels and "casas rurales" (rural guesthouses) around the Reserve. The ‘Font Roja’ has a restricted camping zone, but permission must be applied for some time in advance, at the young people's information centre at Alcoy Council (tel. 96 553 71 41).
In the nineteen-twenties a hotel was built beside the Sanctuary which was successfully run for over 50 years. The row of old municipal summer houses also dates back to this time. In the nineteen-nineties the present Ecocentre was built on the base of the former hotel, intended for displaying the natural and cultural aspects connected with the ‘Parc Natural de la Font Roja’.
Cuisine Some typical dishes in the zone are: ‘bajoques farcides’ (red peppers stuffed with rice), ‘la olleta de music’ (bean stew), ‘pericana’ (dry peppers, cod and olive oil) and ‘borreta’ (spinach stew with cod and poached egg) or ‘giraboix’ (meat and vegetable stew similar to cocido) very typical in Ibi. Alcoy sweets are famous, peladilla sugared almonds and ‘pasteles de gloria’ cakes, as well as its café-liquor, a stimulating drink consumed in large quantities at the Moors and Christians festivals.
- ‘La Sarga’ cave paintings. - Iberian settlements in the Puig and Serreta. - Saint Antoni Chapel. - Saint Pascual Hermitage. - Barxell Castle
How to get here
- ‘Serra Mariola’ nature reserve (‘Barranc del Cint’ ravine, ‘San Cristóbal’ beauty spot, ‘Font de Mariola’ spring...) - ‘Racó de Sant Bonaventura’ - ‘Els Canalons Municipal’ beauty spot. - ‘La Serreta’ - ‘Barranc dels Molins’ ravine
At the Alcoy exit heading towards Alicante on the N340, road AP-2001 to ‘Font Roja’ starts (the turnoff is signposted).
The Nature Reserve's Visitors' centre is 11 Km. from Alcoy, taking the road leading to the ‘Font Roja’ Sanctuary.
It is recommended to begin the visit from the Center of Visitors, paymaster in the building Font Red Nature, next to the Sanctuary. Where he/she will find available material audiovisual divulgativo, about the
environmental and cultural values of the Park. Also, in this building he/she will also be able to receive the attention of other two entities like CAM, in their Center of Environmental (CEMACAM) Education, and the Scientific dependent Station, of the University of Alicante. The staff in charge at the Centre can give visitors suggestions about different routes around the Reserve, and the services of a guide can be requested if he wants himself, for school centers and associations.
Walk without leaving any trail behind you Leave the place cleaner than when you arrived, deposit your own rubbish and if possible any other waste you may find in the nearest bin. Respect the path, go by the signs on the tracks, ot taking short cuts, and you will be doing the ecosystem a great favour. Fire is the greatest enemy of the mountains, do not light bonfires nor smoke. Breathe in fresh air. Look at the plants without destroying them, do not pull up plants or flowers - take notes or photos. Observe animals without bothering them, hunting is forbidden in the whole nature reserve. Use hotel and tourist facilities in nearby towns and villages, as you cannot camp in the reserve. Take care of the springs, as these are the most valuable asset of our mountains, and do not contaminate them. Forget all about motor vehicles, and enjoy the silence, noise is another form of pollution. Respect our historical and cultural heritage, avoid any actions which may deteriorate the terraces or buildings. The dogs must go tied, can cause inconveniences (troubles) to the avifauna If you do noise or speak fort, you will get lost the sounds of the forest
In the event of any emergency call 112.