Sierra mariola natural park

High Resolution JPEG Picture of Sierra de Mariola Natural Park Countless archeological finds testify to the human presence in the mountains since ancient times, mainly southeast of it and in the vicinity of the Vinalopó River: paintings, deposits (mainly neolithic, bronze and Iberian), castles, cavas, villages, lime kilns and other constructions prove it. This human settlement would be very conditioned by the climate, the relief and the altitude, being the richness of the fauna, the exuberance of the vegetation, but above all, the abundance of water, the elements that would encourage the first settlers to settle in these lands. Over time, the use of natural resources would lead to the emergence of very diverse trades, today many of them disappeared, as a result of technological advances and rural abandonment. Thus, the mountain range is full of infinite paths and paths that served in the vital need for communication between these people: snowmen, “maseros”, hunters, lumberjacks, coal miners, shepherds, or simple walkers, people who have left and continue to leave their mark on this mountain. In order to preserve these and other values, the Sierra de Mariola was declared a Natural Park on January 8, 2002, thus endowing it with a figure of special protection that, hopefully, guarantees that those who have to come can enjoy the privilege of visiting and admiring, today as yesterday, these lands. It includes part of the regions of the Vall d'Albaida, l'Alcoià and the Comtat and through it passes, among others, the long-distance GR-7 trail. In the Sierra Mariola you can practice excursions both on foot, on horseback or by bike. There are signposted trails through which the traveller can contemplate some interesting constructions such as hermitages, farmhouses, snow cellars, etc. You will also discover natural landscapes of singular beauty such as the source of the Vinalopó river, the summit of the Montcabrer (1,390m.), the Font de Mariola or the Sarsa cave.