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Parque natural de la Sierra de Irta / Natural Park of Serra d'Irta
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
The combined mountain park and marine reserve offers good opportunities for hiking and mountain biking, and has several sights of historic and architectural interest. The park can be also be accessed from Peñiscola; the Peñiscola tourist office has an online list of hiking trails with trail descriptions in English; an official trail map (in Spanish) can be downloaded here.
Serra d'Irta Natural Park is a natural park in Valencian Community), Southern Spain. It contains 7,744 hectares of land, as well as a shoreline of marine nature reserve of the adjacent Mediterranean Sea. It was declared a protected area in 2002.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Faro de Irta / Irta Lighthouse
The lighthouse was built in 1985, and can be accessed from Platja de les Fonts.
Ebrí Tower
The watchtower from the 16th century was built as part of a defensive network of coastal forts and towers against Barbary pirates.
Playa de las Fuentes
The smaller, arc-shaped beach has clear, ice-cold water which is fed by groundwater from the nearby mountain nature reserve. Facilities include a lifeguard and first aid station, toilets, showers, volleyball nets, snack bars, and disabled access. Jetskis can be rented here. There are restaurants and snack bars next to the beach, and a nearby bus stop and paid carpark.
Ermita de Santa Lucía y San Benito / Hermitage of Saint Lucia and Saint Benedict
Accessible via a serpentine road from the neighbourhood of El Pinar, or from a signed footpath beginning on the Les Fonts road, this small white-washed chapel dates from the 17th century and has been restored. Also in the complex are an old pilgrims' hostel, a stable, two wells, and the remains of a 16th-century watchtower. At an elevation of 315 m, the site offers excellent views of the Costa de Azahar as far south as Oropesa de Mar, and on clear days it is possible to see the volcanic Columbretes Islands without binoculars, some 50-60 km distant. It is especially lovely at sunset and twilight. A number of picturesque signposted hiking trails lead directly from the complex into the mountains.
Playa del Cargador
At 720 m this is Alcossebre's largest beach. Has lifeguard and first aid stations, toilets, showers, volleyball nets, paddleboat rental, disabled access, and a playground. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available to rent, and there are restaurants and snack bars next to the beach. There is a nearby bus stop and paid carpark.
Playa Romana
The second-largest beach is separated from Carregador by protected sand dunes. There are lifeguard and first aid stations, toilets, showers, disabled access, volleyball nets, and rental facilities for a variety of water sport. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available to rent (in high season €5/day), as are paddleboats (€15/hr). There are plenty of restaurants and snack bars nearby, as well as a bus stop and free parking (usually full in high season).