Abric de Seguili

Abric de Seguili is a prehistoric rock shelter with ancient paintings, set on the limestone ridge of the Sierra del Seguili in the municipality of Alcalalí, in the Marina Alta region of Alicante province. The range separates the valleys of Alcalalí, Orba, Benidoleig and Llosa de Camatxo, and the shelter itself sits on its slopes — a spot that offered both a lookout point and cover for people passing through these hills over thousands of years.

What will you see at Abric de Seguili?

The rock overhang preserves paintings combining two styles typical of eastern Spanish rock art: schematic art and Levantine art. Schematic art relies on simplified, geometric forms — dots, strokes and stylised human figures — that most likely carried symbolic or ritual meaning. Levantine art is more naturalistic, and at Seguili it includes female figures rendered in the technique characteristic of that tradition. The paintings are dated to the late Neolithic and the Bronze Age, roughly between 4,000 and 1,500 years BCE.

The rock art at Seguili belongs to the wider group of sites making up the Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage property, and it is also listed in the Valencian Cultural Heritage Inventory. Despite its modest size, the shelter therefore carries real scientific and historical weight, offering a window onto continuous human presence and symbolic practice in the area across several millennia.

How do you get to Abric de Seguili?

A hiking trail crossing the Seguili range leads to the shelter, starting from the area around Alcalalí. The route is not technically demanding — the only tougher stretch is the initial, fairly steep climb onto the ridge. After that, the path continues over gentler terrain with views across the Marina Alta valleys. Because the range is low (around 400 metres above sea level), the whole outing can be completed in a few hours without specialised gear — sturdy walking shoes and water are enough.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn are the best times, when temperatures in Marina Alta are mild and the limestone slopes don't heat up too much under direct sun. In summer, it's worth setting off early in the morning to avoid the heat on the exposed sections of the trail. Winter days can be pleasant when sunny, but it's worth checking the forecast, since the ridge can catch strong wind.

Why visit Sierra del Seguili?

For centuries, the Sierra del Seguili was used as pastureland and for cultivation, visible today in the terracing and dry-stone walls along the slopes. For visitors, it brings together two things: the agricultural landscape typical of inland Marina Alta, and evidence of the earliest human presence in the region, preserved in its rock paintings. The site appeals equally to hikers and to anyone interested in the archaeology and prehistory of the Iberian Peninsula.

Frequently asked questions

What is Abric de Seguili? It's a rock shelter with paintings in the schematic and Levantine styles, dated to the late Neolithic and Bronze Age, located on the Seguili ridge in the municipality of Alcalalí.

Is the walk to the shelter difficult? No, the route is moderate — the only challenge is a short, steep climb at the start of the trail. The rest covers gentler ground.

Can you visit the paintings freely? The shelter sits along a public hiking route and can be visited independently, but as protected heritage it calls for extra care — the paintings should never be touched.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The Marina Alta region, including the towns of Alcalalí, Orba and Parcent, offers a network of hiking trails through almond groves and vineyards, along with other rock art sites forming part of the UNESCO Mediterranean Basin listing.