castell de cabres
VALLIBONA
STAGE 11
PARK
NATURAL OF
THE TINENÇA
DE BENIFASSÀ
CASTELL DE CABRES - VALLIBONA
Vallibona boasts significant heritage, a result of the close relationship between man and nature. Its municipal area hosts extensive forested areas of holm oaks and oaks that, from the Middle Ages until a few decades ago, were used for charcoal production.
SEAL POINTS:
- Vilafranca: Tourist office and Town Hall.
- Cinctorres: Tourist office and Town Hall.
- Forcall: Tourist office and Town Hall.
- La Mata: Town Hall.
- Todolella: Town Hall.
- Olocau del Rey: Tourist information point.
- Villores: Town Hall.
- Morella: Tourist office.
- Vallibona: Tourist information point.
- Portell: Town Hall.
- Herbés: Town Hall.
For more information, please contact any registration point or the Els Ports Regional Commonwealth:
Tlf. 964440306 / 964441266
E-mail: info@mancomunitatelsports.es
The Tinença de Benifassà Natural Park
Natural heritage
As well as a cultural and patrimonial route, GR 331: Els Ports- Camí de Conquesta, allows you to discover and enjoy nature. Part of the trail runs through the Tinença de Benifassà Natural Park, and the municipal districts of Castell de Cabres and Vallibona.
The area was declared a natural park on 19 May 2006 by the Regional Government of Valencia. Around 5,000 hectares are protected and almost 26,000 are included in the Natural Resources Management Plan. It extends throughout the historical region of Tineça de Benifassà and Vallibona and two rivers run through it: Sénia and Cervol (also called Corces).
La Tinença is part of the Ports de Beseit massif shared between Aragon, Catalonia and the Region of Valencia. This Catalan Pre-coastal mountains and the Iberian System range converge in this mountainous massif. This results in a series of steep mountain ranges rising between 400m and 1,300m above sea level.
Tinença de Benifassà is home to many interesting European habitats: fresh water habitats, temperate moors and grasslands, peat bogs, rocky habitats and, particularly, sclerophyllous grasslands, herbaceous formations and forests.
P. N. of Tinença de Benifassà: Flora and Fauna
Natural heritage
The rugged terrain of the Tinença de Benifassà Natural Park, together with the low density of population and scarce agricultural and livestock activity, has favoured the survival of a great diversity and quantity of flora and fauna species.
The holm oak forests form the most important arboreal mass in terms of extension and structure in the entire Region of Valencia. You can also see well-preserved forests of Valencian oaks and boxwoods.
The area is home to 14 plant micro-reserves due to the large quantity of species of special interest or the endemic nature of species such as the carnivorous plant known as large- flowered butterwort (Pinguicula dertosensis), ‘llunetes’ (Biscutella fontqueri), or arenaria (Arenaria conimbricensis).
Birds are the most diverse group of vertebrates found in the area: eagles, falcons and vultures, but the most representative species is the Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica). Other significant species include carnivores such as the common genet (Genetta genetta), the wildcat (Felis silvestris) and the beech marten (Martes foina).The presence of the Spanish moon moth (Graellsia isabellae) and the native Atlantic stream crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) has led to the creation of two fauna reserves.
Mas de Boix
Natural heritage
The traditional image of Tinença de Benifassà is associated with the magnificent natural heritage of the region; majestic mountains dotted with ancient roads and isolated country houses. A ‘masía’ or ‘mas’ is the traditional home in this land. It is generally a farm comprised of a country house with various buildings, pastures, farmland and forests.
Mas de Boix is located in an area predominated by the holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia) and features a series of homes purchased and restored by the Regional Government of Valencia. From this spot you can take in the spectacular views of the Gatellera valley and ravine, as well as the many cows grazing in the area. The griffon vulture and other scavenger birds can also frequently be seen flying over the charnel house (place where animals are deposited) that lies close to the Mas.
Sénia and Gatellera Ravine
Natural heritage
Water from the ravine has been used for many years, as can be seen by the waterwheel of the same name found in the ravine.
A waterwheel is a machine used to capture and raise water, and basically consists of a vertical wheel powered by the force of the water or by animals (donkeys or mules). The Gatellera ravine waterwheel would channel underground water to nearby orchards and was powered by animals.
Gorg Toll
Natural heritage
This area of the Gatellera ravine is home to the Toll de Gorg, an area where water accumulates. ‘Gorg’ comes from the Vulgar Latin gurgus, an alteration of the classic Latin word gurges-itis, meaning deep well in the bed of a stream of water where it is retained or its course is moderated. The erosive action of the water has created a deeper area where water accumulates almost permanently.
The Gatellera ravine collects rainwater and snow that falls in the southern Benifassà mountains, flowing into the Cervol river in Vallibona. Its morphology is typical of the Mediterranean climate with more widespread rainfall in autumn causing watercourses and rivers to overflow.