Natura 2000 Network: The Mountain Ranges and the River

Protected Natural Area in the Heart of the Ricote Valley

The Ricote Valley is part of the Natura 2000 Network, the European network for biodiversity conservation. More than 40% of its area is covered by some form of protection that recognizes the uniqueness of its ecosystems.

The Ricote and La Navela mountain ranges are Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPAs). These Mediterranean mountain ranges are home to the peregrine falcon, the eagle owl, the black-winged stilt, the stone curlew, and the red-billed chough, among many other protected species. The Gaitán plains in Ricote are also a birdwatching spot of particular interest.

The Estrecho del Solvente, in Ojós, is perhaps the most spectacular spot in the valley. Designated a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC) in 2020, it is a gorge through which the Segura River winds its way between rock walls, stretching from the Ojós weir to the town’s orchards. Here, natural conservation, historic hydraulic engineering, and the orchard landscape come together in a setting unlike any other.

The Yesos de Ulea are a Site of Community Interest (LIC), featuring geological outcrops of red gypsum-rich marl that add another layer to the region’s diversity.

All this natural wealth isn’t confined to display cases: it’s on the trails, in the river, and on the hillsides. You explore it on foot, at a leisurely pace, with all your senses open.