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Biar is set among gentle hills and not too steep mountains. The climate is Mediterranean with some continental factors and little rain. Biar is a very sunny place.The environment of the “Sierra de Fontanella”, “El Reconco” and “Peña Rubia” and “Mariola”, produces a nice effect on the weather and climate, with cool nights, which makes this site a perfect holiday place.

Nearly half of its borough area is a forest area, so you can find all kinds of medicinal and aromatic plants. Likewise, there are many paths and tracks to walk, or discover by bike. You can also practise other sports, like hiking, horse riding, para-gliding, hang-gliding or climbing.


 

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•“Sierra Mariola” nature reserve

The Mariola mountain range is a massif situated some kilometres from Biar, among the towns of Agres, Alfafara, Alcoi, Banyeres de Mariola, Bocairent and Cocentaina. Its altitude and huge size favour the spot diversity. The Mariola mountain range waters supply the Vinalopó river, Serpis river, Barxell river and many others. This mountain range is very important due to its medicinal and aromatic plants, pine forests and the fantastic tree variety: pines, maples, ash trees, yew trees and some oak trees. There are several paths with official signs (“Sendero de Gran Recorrido” GR7 (long route paths) and other “Senderos de Pequeño Recorrido” (short route paths). Two mountain shelters may help your trips on the mountain range.


•“Sendero Botánico del Reconco” (Botanic Path) Route

This botanical path is situated 1180 meters high, and its route is approximately 2 kilometres long. Its slopes are not very hard (10%) and it is well communicated. Roughly, this route will take you 45 minutes. In this place, a good number of botanic species are suitably indicated. The fauna lives exclusively thanks to the plants and vegetables that grow there. You may see insects, arthropods, little mammal animals and some bird species.

We can also emphasize the environmental beauty of this area, and the wonderful outlook over the mountain. From that point, you may see Onil, Castalla, Ibi, Alicante, Villena, Cañada, Campo de Mirra, Beneixama and Banyeres de Mariola. If this is your choice, it is necessary to have a look at the main indications in order to see the most important species and follow the right path.


•“Cova Negra”

The Cova Negra facilities are located in a wonderful area, in the Fontanella mountain range. The path that leads to the facilities is the PRV-35 (short route path), and it goes to Banyeres de Mariola and Biar following the Vinalopó river with marvellous views. In Cova Negra, there are a lot of barbecues for cooking meals and nice wooden tables to sit down. It is important to stress that this is a nature reserve, so please take all the precautions.

•“Buenos Aires” spot.

This area is an enclave near Biar, though mainly at the Fontanella mountain range. There, you will find an indigenous tree, the Pino Carrasco pinus alepensis (Carrasco Pine) and other native species, some holm oaks and many interesting bushes, as for example rockrose, rosemary and other native species. There, you can find many aromatic plants such as rosemary, thyme, lavender etc. There is also an attractive PRV (short route path), this is the PRV-35 route (Banyeres-Biar-Elda) which crosses near the Cova Negra facilities. At Cova Negra, there is a first aid service and an information service. For cooking meals, there are some butane gas grills installed, tables and wooden benches to sit down.

•“Ntra. Sra. de Gracia” entertainment area

At the “Nuestra Señora de Gracia” sanctuary, and getting to the place by car or on foot from the town, you can enjoy a wonderful landscape. Among hundred of native pines, you will find rest areas and specific places to light bonfires and wooden tables to eat.