Font Roja Natural Park
Protected reserve covering 2,298 hectares, featuring a Mediterranean forest of oaks, pines and rare species near Alcoy and Ibi. Its highest point, Serra del Menejador at 1,356 m, offers panoramic views; the area, declared a protected zone in 1987, is home to wildlife such as mountain cats.
The Carrascar de la Font Roja Natural Park protects one of the best-preserved stretches of Mediterranean forest in the Comunitat Valenciana, split between the municipalities of Alcoy and Ibi. The regional government declared it a natural park on 13 April 1987, and it now covers around 2,298 hectares, taking in the Alt de Sant Antoni ridge, the Carrascal de la Font Roja itself, and La Teixereta.
The most biodiverse forest in the region
The park is considered the most biodiverse protected area in the Comunitat Valenciana, with more than 2,400 catalogued species. Its highest point, the Serra del Menejador, reaches 1,356 metres and offers wide views over the whole L'Alcoià district. Mammals in the forest include the wildcat, the genet, the badger and the wild boar, alongside birds of prey such as Bonelli's eagle and the eagle owl, which nest on the rocky cliffs of the Carrascal.
At the heart of the park stands the sanctuary of the Mare de Déu dels Lliris, Alcoy's patron saint, whose current hermitage was built starting in 1886 and opened in 1891. The area around the sanctuary, with well-marked trails and picnic spots, is one of the most visited parts of the park for families, while more determined hikers climb to the Menejador or tackle longer circular routes through the rest of the park.
Font Roja is easy to visit from Alcoy and pairs well with other attractions in the municipality, such as the Museo Arqueológico Camilo Visedo Moltó or the Puente de Sant Jordi. For another natural area nearby, the Sierra de Mariola lies on the other side of the city.
Frequently asked questions
Is the park free to enter?
Yes, access to the natural park is free.
Is it a good plan with children?
Yes, the area around the sanctuary has easy trails and picnic spots, though the climb to the Menejador is more demanding.
What's the best time to visit?
Spring, for the wildflowers and mild temperatures, though the forest is also pleasant in autumn.
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