Walking route
Walking through the Marjal de Pego-Oliva Nature Park.
The “Parque natural del Marjal de Pego-Oliva” is the highlight of this walk. Starting at the La Font Salada hot spring, we walk along wide paths through the nature park and between the reed beds, listening to and watching for various bird species. Strolling past the rice fields, we notice the countless sluices and irrigation systems. Information panels with additional details are located everywhere. Apart from the La Muntanyeta Verda viewpoint (open for limited periods), this is a flat walk.
Distance: 16 km.
Time: 4h00.
Grade: Easy.
Type: Circular.
Gps Track: Yes.
Route description: Yes.
Wheelchair: Not suitable.
Dog: Allowed on leach.
Height gain: 50 meters.
Trail: Paved and unpaved.
Marking: None.
Hiking shoes recommended.
Through the land of the Bomba rice.
The “Parque natural del Marjal de Pego-Oliva” is a nature park of 1,248 hectares, consisting of salt marshes and reed marshes, and the surrounding rice fields. It is precisely this combination that creates a habitat for a number of internationally endangered marsh birds. Various birds breed and forage in the area. Additionally, the crystal-clear water of the various streams ensures a rare ecosystem.
The nature park is the only rice-growing area in Alicante. The location of the Pego Valley, close to the sea and surrounded by mountains, provides an excellent microclimate, and the clean spring water and the natural fertility of the soil ensure the cultivation of this unique rice. “Bomba rice” is a short-grain rice variety. The grain expands during cooking, and therefore “opens up” less during cooking. These characteristics, combined with the taste, make this rice suitable for the preparation of all types of paella, risotto, and fried rice.
Download PDF for walking nodes to follow and map.
In the summer, it can be scorching hot there; there is no cooling. After a rain shower, it can be boggy and muddy.
This long walk passes along the rice fields and through the nature reserve, mostly via wide walking paths. However, there are plenty of opportunities to shorten the route as desired and still enjoy the natural beauty.
Binoculars are of course an asset, but depending on the season, there are either a lot of birds to be seen or hardly any at all.
The nature reserve is not closed off, so sporadic car traffic is possible.
POI 1 - La font Salada.
La font Salada is a natural spring located within the Marjal de Pego-Oliva Natural Park. This underground hot spring contains a high concentration of sulfur salts, is beneficial for dermatological conditions, and maintains a constant temperature of 21 to 24º throughout the year. It is also known as "Ullal del Burro" because ullal, in Valencian, means a hole from which water emerges, and Burro means donkey. A local story tells of a farmer who left his sick donkey at La font Salada. When he returned after some time, he discovered that the donkey was alive and healthy thanks to the water from the spring.
No additional information.
POI 2 - Mirador de la Muntanyeta.
De Mirador de la Muntanyeta Verda is een kleine uitloper van ongeveer 50 meter hoog. Het wordt omringd door de rivieren Bullent en Salinar, en vanaf de top van deze heuvel kunt u het moeras, de Serra de Segària en de Montgó zien. De openingstijden zijn van maandag tot en met vrijdag van 09:00 tot 14:00 uur, maar de toegang is afgesloten op zaterdag, zon- en feestdagen.
No additional information.
Walks Alicante.
