Road Access:
Through Ctra. A-18, connecting Yecla with Montealegre del Castillo. Turning off on the road on the left until its kilometre 15. On the Ctra. A-18, Yecla- Montealegre del Castillo, by turning off on the road on the left until its kilometre 15. After 1,8 km, on this road, we take the right path running through Casa de Vicente which will lead us to the mountain. It’s also accessible by the road MU-404 (Yecla-Fuenteálamo), by turning off the road at the level of Casa Don Lucio.
Best time of year to visit:
Throughout the year.
Visit conditions:
Hiking activities with more than 10 participants must have the pertinent municipal license. To be consulted at the Town Council on 968 75 41 00.
Location:
North-west of the town of Yecla.
An area of approximate:
650 hectares
Altitude:
750 – 1,065 metres above sea level.
Protection regime:
Heritage of humanity and Property of Cultural Interest.
Administrative authority:
Yecla Town Council
Topography:
An enormous mass mountain where erosion has created caves, coves, hexagonal shapes.
Vegetation:
Aleppo-pine woodlands, with some holm oaks and many species of flora, such as kermes oaks, Juniperus phoenicea, strawberry trees, ephedra, buckthorn, rock rose.
Fauna:
There are many species of vertebrates and invertebrates, the main ones being: Ergates faber (long-horned beetle), spiny-footed lizard, Tarentola mauritanica (a species of gecko), horseshoe whip snake, wild cat, fox, different species of birds of prey, corvidae, stock doves, blue rock thrush, black wheat ear, European serin, Rock sparrow.
What’s so special about it?:
It’s a big mass mountain creating a beautiful, rocky and singular landscape.
The most appealing things are the erosive phenomena, which have caused the formation of big round blocks, hollows, caves, coves and enormous areas with hexagonal shapes or cells.
It is an area of great archaeological value, in which the “Mediodía” cave and Cantos de Visera stand out, as well as the so-called cup and ring marks (“cazoletas”) at the foot of the well-known Monte de los Moros or El Arabilejo, on which there are several legends. The vegetation is dominated by Aleppo pines (Pinus halepensis), although we can find some holm oaks in shaded spots and many species of flora, some of them endemic.
It also has an abundant and varied fauna composed by invertebrates, reptiles and mammals. But, above all, it stands out for having the greatest diversity of bird species in the Altiplano Jumilla-Yecla.
The main points of interest are:
“Puerta de la Iglesia”
“Pozo de la Buitrera”
“Cueva de la Horadada”
“Cantos de Visera”: It’s an art rock station (paintings) included in the Declaration of UNESCO World Heritage Site for the group of Rock art of the Iberian Mediterranean Basin in 1998.
“The Mediodía” Cave: Another art rock station
El Arabilejo and its cup and ring marks: engravings called “cazoletas” (cup and ring marks) which are located in the southern part of el Arabilejo, a small mountain with a wide plain on its summit, which we must consider to be part of Iberian schematic art.
“Cueva del tesoro”: There are several popular legends linked to the cave regarding the existence of a treasure inside it, hence its name.
Casa Marta’s chapel: It’s a chapel located in a small village called Casa Marta, in the surroundings of Monte Arabí. We know that it was built in 1794.
Caserío de los Ibáñez: It’s a group of two storey workers’ houses with small ironwork crop-shaped balconies. A large well with waterwheel for animal traction stands out of the ensemble.
