Paraje Natural Clots de la Sal y Serra de la Mola

The Clots de la Sal i Serra de la Mola municipal natural site brings together sulphurous springs, pine woods and an old mining area within a single stretch of the Vinalopó valley northeast of Novelda. Regional authorities declared the area protected in 2021, though locals have long used these waters, crediting them with benefits for skin conditions and rheumatism.

The pools and their surroundings

The Clot Roig takes its name and reddish colour from iron oxide settling out of the water; the Clot de les Aigües Negres, the largest of the pools, carries the sulphurous smell typical of its springs. Around them, the Serra de la Mola mixes low scrub with pine woodland, and the site still holds the remains of old quarrying, including quarrymen's shelters that have since been restored. One of the old iron-mine shafts is preserved behind fencing and signposted as part of the route. The area is also home to an endangered endemic fish, the fartet, for which a recovery pool has been set up beside the river.

Getting around

The local SL-CV 127 trail runs through the site, taking in a wooden walkway over the Clot Roig, a viewpoint with a pergola on the Mola — one of several viewpoints near Alicante — and a birdwatching spot beside the Vinalopó. The route passes close to the Castillo de La Mola and the Santuario de Santa María Magdalena, so it is easy to combine with a visit to both monuments. It is best to stay on the marked paths and keep dogs on a leash, since this is an area with sensitive wildlife.