The Parc Natural de la Marjal de Pego-Oliva (Pego-Oliva Marshes Nature Park) is located between the provinces of Valencia and Alicante, and covers a surface area of 1,255 hectares. It was declared an official Nature Park in 1994. The marshland – originally a lagoon - is one of the largest biodiversity spaces in the Mediterranean and possibly the wetland area boasting the highest environmental quality along the entire Spanish Mediterranean coast.

It is surrounded by the Mostalla, Migdia and Segària mountain ranges, which form an ‘open horseshoe’ shape with the opening facing the sea and the marshes in the centre. The marshes are formed by water from the Bullent-Vedat rivers to the north and the Racons-Molinell to the south, plus the Mostalla and Segària aquifers. A network of ancient irrigation ditches and canals crosses the park and carries water from underground streams that surface in springs known as ullals.

It is important to note that the delicate balance struck between traditional rice-growing practices and respect for the environment have enabled the survival of numerous species of flora and fauna of great biological interest. Furthermore, and due to its great environmental significance, this marshland is included in the worldwide Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971), as well as being classed as a zone of special protection for birds (ZEPA) and also being featured in the Natura 2000 network of protected nature areas of the EU.

 

Nature Park information telephone: (+34) 679 19 52 27
Email: parque_pegooliva@gva.es 
Web: Natural Park Marjal Pego-Oliva

Getting there

- From the CV-715 Pego-Oliva road, turn off on the CV-728.

- From the N-332 road, take the CV-678 (Les Deveses road), which crosses the Nature Park from east to west.

- From the CV-700 Pego-El Verger road, which borders the Nature Park to the south.

The nearest exits from the AP-7 motorway are the ones signposted for Oliva (sur)-Pego (no. 592) and Ondara-Dénia (no. 62).

 

In the Muntanyeta Verda there is a picnic area and car park. From there you can access the viewpoint and the wooden bridges that cross the Salinar river. It is also the starting point of the walking routes and the birding itinerary.

 

FLORA

The Pego-Oliva marshes has an extensive swampy area in which there are successive parts of open water with islets of vegetation which constitute the main feeding and nesting zone for water fowl. Wetlands are the home of flora and vegetation characterised by the presence of some extremely fragile and rare underwater plant life. Many of the plants are genuine relics and are at present in a regression process threatening their survival. The alteration that they undergo has led to measures being taken to ensure their conservation. The marshland flora is determined, both by the biogeographical and physical characteristics of the territory and by the ones that existed in the past.

 

The vegetation is a result of the ecological conditions and human activity. Studying this allows one to learn the potential of the area and thus be able to implement appropriate territorial planning. The main flower asset of the nature reserve consists of the extensive meadows of submerged vegetation, known as macrophytes, which are the food for countless invertebrates, fish and the basic diet of coots and diving ducks. The most representative plant species of the Pego-Oliva marsh are: the reed, the giant reed, cattail, bulrush, yellow flag iris, white water lily, pondweed, duckweed, etc.

 

The water communities are enriched by the presence of thallophytes, bryophytes and floating water plants. In spite of its cosmopolitan distribution, the water lily is a difficult species to find since it requires a high quality of water. In the nature reserve this can be located in the higher areas of the Marsh.

 

FAUNA

Pego-Oliva Marshes Nature Park is of great importance as regards the fauna that this shelters. The disappearance of a great many of the wetlands of the Mediterranean shoreline over the last few centuries means that today the animals using these habitats are genuine rarities. Of the many species of invertebrates that populate the waters of the Marjal, the most significant is the gambeta or freshwater shrimp (Palaemon zariquieyi and Atyaephyra desmaresti), as well as the endemic Dugastella valentina and several different species of petxinots (clams). The aquatic populations are the most interesting of all and proof of the high quality of the water. The Marjal is home to numerous species of fish, particularly the samaruc (Valencia toothcarp, a species endemic to the wetland areas of the region), the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), the freshwater blenny (Salariopsis fluviatilis), the black-striped pipefish (Syngnathus abaster) and ray-finned fish (Cobitis maroccana). The most characteristic reptiles are the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) and the Spanish pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa). During the summer the park is home to a large variety of dragonflies, and also worthy of note is the colourful plain tiger butterfly (Danaus chrysippus).

 

Wetland birds are the second most characteristic type of fauna in the Marjal. They are nesting species: the purple heron, the little bittern, the little grebe, the black-winged stilt, the whiskered tern, Savi’s warbler, the common reed warbler, the great reed warbler, the marbled teal, and many coots, moorhens and mallards.

Migratory birds include waders, the squacco heron, the common kingfisher, the grey heron, various species of geese and numerous types of passerines from the reed beds and open fields. In the rice fields, watchers can spot frogs, water snakes, water rats, numerous invertebrates and many birds that flock there to feed. The marshland plays an especially important role during the spring and autumn migration periods, as it lies on the route taken by many birds travelling from Western Europe to Africa.

The economic activities traditionally carried out in this area include agriculture, fishing and hunting. Rice is currently grown using the most up-to-date technology, but there are still several factors that make these tasks difficult, such as the weather and the envionment, which are not always favourable.

High-quality native rice varieties such as the Bombón have been developed in the marshlands, in addition to an extensive cultivation of the Bomba variety. The Bombón has been recovered after years of disappearance by Les Tanques Agrarian Transformation Society and is grown across 50 hectares in the Park. It is recognised and protected by the Denominación de Origen Arroz de Valencia official designation of origin.

MUNTANYETA VERDA VIEWPOINT

Check timetable. Access to motorized vehicles is prohibited. There is a gate in the access fence, if it is open you are welcome to enter but please close the door after you to help protect the wildlife.

 

VISITS

The Nature Park organises free guided tours for school groups, aimed at encouraging exploration of the natural environment among children.

If you would like to arrange a guided tour for a group, please contact Pego tourist office in advance.

Access to the Nature Park is free and it can be visited at any time of the year. There are many different options to enjoy the area: on foot, by car, by bike or by horse.

 

BIRDWATCHING

- Bullent birdwatching route

- Racons birdwatching route

 

CYCLING TOURS

There is a 15-kilometre flat circular route, without inclines.

Tracks and pedals (Tel. 646067264) provides a bicycle rental service and guided tours.

 

HUNTING

Waterfowl hunting is permitted on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays from October 12 to the second Sunday in February.

For the safety and comfort of sightseers, the most advisable area to visit at this time is the Muntanyeta Verda.

 

FISHING

The Marjal has been declared a ‘Protected reserve area for eels’, which means that fishing is prohibited along the Salinar, Bullent and Racons rivers, in the Bassa de Sineu and in the Regalatxo channel.

 

REMEMBER

Camping and caravanning are not allowed anywhere in the Nature Park. Minimum fine: €601.