One of the top tourist destinations on the Costa Blanca, Benidorm is famous for its excellent beaches, vibrant life and skyscrapers, but the area offers much more. Today we take a look at the cliffs of Serra Gelada, a magnificent natural park of the Valencian territory.
Serra Gelada is a mountainous alignment of 6 kilometers in length, an abrupt territory between the flat of Benidorm, Alfàs del Pi and Altea. The mountain on reaching the sea rushes into cliffs of more than 400 meters. The mountain, the particular vegetation that is its own and the sea all together give rise to a landscape of exceptional value.
The Serra Gelada in formed by a rugged area which on its coastal side abruptly rises over Benidorm, L’Alfàs el Pì and Altea. It is called Sierra Helada because of its orientation, which creates a colder macroclimate, as well as from the optical effects of calcareous rock when moonlight reflects off it.
It also has vegetation of exceptional value: while Mediterranean forest grows on one side, on the side with the fabulous hanging fossil dune facing the sea, a hardy vegetation is found, capable of surviving in salty ground and abrasive winds Although large patches of sea plants grow and mollusks thrive in this coastal environment, the wealth of its bird life is particularly extraordinary. The Natural Park of Serra Gelada encompasses 5,654 hectares, of which 4,909 are marine environment, and 745 are land. The Park protects the mountains and three emblematic islands: Illot de la Mitjana, the Illot de Benidorm and the Illots of Olla and la Galera. Several routes departing mostly from Benidorm can be taken to enjoy the views and hike.
Cover image via Comunidad Valenciana