Take a breath, slow down and fill your lungs with fresh air. Oropesa del Mar gives you multiple possibilities to immerse yourself in nature. Hit the trails, enjoy mountain forests without losing sight of the sea, go down to the coves, climb to viewpoints. From the city itself you can cycle or simply stroll along the Vía Verde del Mar, which links Oropesa del Mar with neighbouring Benicàssim. With a route of 6 kilometres, 5.5 of which are in Oropesa del Mar, you will find a complete route in which to do sport, but you can also stop at the beach of La Concha or go into the natural environment of Monte Bovalar, whose viewpoint is worth taking the foot ashore to observe a view over the marina that also allows you to get lost in the horizon of the sea to see the Columbretes Islands if you are lucky. The route continues along the sea, with beaches such as La Renegá or Cala de Les Platgetes cove.
Nearby, inland, rises the Serra D’Orpesa mountain range. You will see a green wall that protects the city, but zealously guards a series of paths and trails through forests overlooking fruit orchards and the Mediterranean that invite you to the adventure of nature with different levels of difficulty. You can find among them the Camí de la Serra that stretches to places like the Barranco del Diablo. Let yourself be carried away by this green alternative.
The exceptional geographical and natural characteristics of Oropesa del Mar, strategically located between the sea and the mountains, offer endless possibilities for active tourism.
Many of them take place in the Sierra de Oropesa, a majestic range of mountains that, besides having beautiful panoramic views of the many fields of the town, has several trails that give you an opportunity to exercise while discovering the characteristic flora and fauna of the area.
Among the different natural spaces in Oropesa del Mar, there are privileged enclaves on the coast such as the cove of Orpesa la Vella and the cove of Retor, small beaches with crystalline waters protected by beautiful cliffs where you can relax and rest from the hustle and bustle of the world.
It is also worth mentioning the Serra d'Oropesa, a natural wall located to the west that protects the municipality from the inclement weather, offering long paths and beautiful views of the orange groves, almond trees and other crops that extend around the town. From here, you can link up with other routes that will take you to another of the places that border Oropesa del Mar, the Desert de les Palmes, an extensive natural park that will offer you landscapes of Mediterranean forest and postcard panoramic views.
Finally, there is Mount Bovalar, which beautifully caresses the sea and lies next to the town's marina. Here you will find El Mirador, from where you can see the Columbretes Islands when the sky is clear.
The Columbretes Islands Natural Park is made up of 4 groups of islands of volcanic origin located 24 miles off the coast of Castellón. It is considered a nature reserve due to the great richness of its flora and fauna, as well as the immeasurable beauty of its seabed. Seabirds such as Audouin's gull, Eleonora's falcon and the shag reside on these islands, while its waters are home to laminaria algae and red coral, among many other species.
The archipelago covers a total of 19 hectares, most of which correspond to l'Illa Grossa, the only inhabited island and where the Columbretes lighthouse is located. La Ferrera, La Foradada and El Carallot form the other groups of islands.
This small Mediterranean paradise lacks tourist infrastructures, but it is a reference point for diving enthusiasts from all over the world. If you wish, you can visit it in pre-arranged groups on board a boat that sails from the port of Castellón.
