Tripartite Natural Park

Visitors to Benidorm, Albir and Altea can't fail to have noticed the Sierra Helada. It's that enormous rock with plunging 300 metre cliffs that divides the towns.

Well last July the Valencian Government declared it a Natural Park area and now it's been decided that the three councils of Benidorm, Altea, and, L’Alfàs del Pi will share joint responsibility for it.

As Natural Parks go it fairly unusual in that of its 5653 hectares, a total of 4908 are actually underwater. Conservationists have realised that the biodiversity of species under the water is just as important as those which inhabit dry land.

The area is full of important specimens of wildlife, both flora and fauna, and is criss-crossed by official hiking trails for those interested in nature and spectacular views of Benidorm from on high.

The three councils will be responsible for protecting the environment, with a little help from the area's diving clubs for the underwater bit, and the distribution of materials via information points in the park.

It sounds like a fascinating way to spend some time away from the beach for visitors to Benidorm, or Albir.

16 March 2006 Stephen White.