About this place
Parque Natural de la Sierra de Irta is a coastal mountain range stretching along the Castellón shoreline east of Peníscola, covering nearly 7,700 hectares of land plus an adjoining marine reserve in the Mediterranean. Declared a protected natural park in 2002, it preserves one of the last stretches of the Costa del Azahar coast that has escaped large-scale tourist development.
What does the landscape of Sierra de Irta look like?
The range runs parallel to the sea for roughly 15 kilometres, crossing the municipalities of Peníscola, Santa Magdalena de Pulpis and Alcalà de Xivert-Alcossebre. Its highest point is Campanilles peak at 572 metres above sea level. The park is defined by steep cliffs plunging toward the water, among them Torre Badum, one of the tallest cliffs on the entire Valencian Community coastline. Between the rocky stretches lie small beaches and coves reachable mainly on foot or by bike, which is a big part of why they still feel untouched.
What wildlife lives in the park?
Vegetation across Sierra de Irta is classic Mediterranean scrub and woodland, forming dense plant communities of real ecological value. Mammals present include the red squirrel, badger, genet, fox and wild boar, while birds of prey patrol the skies above the cliffs and gulls and cormorants populate the shoreline. The underwater section, protected as a marine reserve, retains a largely intact coastal ecosystem that supports species of commercial fishing interest.
What can visitors do here?
The park is primarily a destination for hiking and cycling along marked trails that trace the clifftops and cut through the interior of the range. These routes lead to isolated beaches and sea-facing viewpoints unreachable by car. Annual visitor numbers sit around 70,000 to 80,000 — a relatively modest figure for a protected area of this scenic scale, which helps the park keep its quiet, low-key character.
What historical traces remain in Sierra de Irta?
The area has been inhabited since ancient times, and two ruined hilltop fortresses stand as evidence: the castle of Xivert and the castle of Polpis. Both have Arab-era origins and were later occupied and expanded by the Order of the Templars. Rising above the park's slopes, their remains give visitors a way to combine a nature hike with a stop at genuine medieval ruins.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the park located? Along the Castellón coast between Peníscola and Alcossebre, covering about 15 km of coastline and hills.
What is the highest point in the park? Campanilles peak, at 572 metres above sea level.
Can you drive to the beaches inside the park? Most beaches and coves are reachable only on foot or by bicycle via the park's trails, which helps protect their natural state.
Are there historical monuments in the park? Yes — the ruins of the Xivert and Polpis castles, of Arab origin and later used by the Templars, lie within or right next to the park.
Does the protected area include the sea as well? Yes, the coastal waters around Sierra de Irta hold marine reserve status, protecting the cliff and reef ecosystem offshore.
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