Paraje Natural Municipal Los Algezares

The Municipal Natural Area of ​​Los Algezares is declared by Decree 167/2013, of October 31, of the Consell de la Generalitat Valenciana. This protected area has some 507 hectares that extend into the easternmost sector of the municipality of Aspe, around the Vinalopó River, bordering Elche and Monforte del Cid. The territorial scope extends, from north to south, through the landscapes of "El Rabosero", "El Río", "La Coca", "La Temerosa", "Los Barrancos", "Sierra del Tabayá" and "El Pantano" . This enclave treasures interesting natural, historical and cultural elements that make its conservation obligatory. The environment presents a great variety of materials, among which clays, marls and plasters stand out. These despicable rocks, subjected to torrential rains, generate a totally undermined landscape, where ravines predominate. The mountain supports a desert-like scrub known as spine, with a wide variety of shrubs accompanied by esparto grass and other herbaceous plants. This landscape is shared with olive trees, carob trees and reforestation of Aleppo pine. The Vinalopó River and its ravines have other species: as reed, oleander or tamarisk. On the other hand, the gypsum conditions the development of the gypsícolas tomillares. In addition, it has a great historical value, contains a multitude of archaeological remains and ethnological infrastructures among which stand out the marsh itself and the Castle of the River, declared of cultural interest. There are also remains of old flour mills that appear along the entire Vinalopó river bed, work houses or the important water pipes that extend throughout the area, some of the eighteenth century. The fauna has a wide representation, for example, common frog, corridor toad and even viperine snake, are present thanks to the water. Other common reptiles are the ladder snake or the ocellated lizard. The birds have raptors like the buzzard or the owl; although, there are other smaller ones, among them the coalfish, the reed warbler or the real whistle; The redfish and the stilts are the easiest waterfowl to observe in the sheets of water. Mammals are elusive and nocturnal, although rabbit observations are frequent during the day. In addition, this protected area contains numerous historical elements that, together with the natural heritage described, make Los Algezares a place of enormous importance from a recreational, scientific and educational point of view. The network of approved paths of small route and the different paths and paths existing in the area allow to enjoy this wealth in a responsible manner and compatible with its proper conservation.