Discover Orito

In Orito, places of religious significance meet a protected mountain landscape. The Santuario, Ermita and Cueva de San Pascual tell the story of devotion to the saint; several routes lead to different destinations in the surrounding area. If you’re looking for hotels in Orito, you can plan your trip around whether you’re most interested in the cultural sites, viewpoints or a particular route.

Sierra de las Águilas and viewpoints

The Paraje Natural Municipal Sierra de las Águilas y San Pascual includes both the Cueva de San Pascual and the Santuario de San Pascual de Orito. The Cueva lies at the foot of the Sierra de las Águilas. This protected landscape rises to more than 500 metres and offers views of the surrounding area. From two viewpoints near the Cueva, you can see across the Valle del Medio Vinalopó and as far as the Alicante coast.

The traditional way to reach the Cueva is on foot via a steep climb. Several religious ceramic murals along the ascent depict praise and devotion to San Pascual. Before your trip, check access to the Cueva and the viewpoints on site.

Santuario, Ermita and Cueva de San Pascual

The Ermita de la Aparición was built in the 17th century to commemorate the appearance of the Blessed Sacrament to San Pascual when he was still a shepherd. A ceramic depiction of this miracle can be seen near the Ermita. The Santuario de Ntra. Sra. de Orito y de San Pascual was built on the ruins of the Ermita de la Natividad. Inside the Santuario is a faithful replica of the cell where San Pascual lived.

The Cueva also has both a religious and a practical past: it first served as a place of prayer and had previously been a refuge for shepherds in bad weather. The tiny Virgen de Orito is just 42 millimetres tall and was found in 1555. It can be viewed at the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Orito; if you’re planning your visit around it, check the visiting arrangements in advance.

Festivals and special visiting times

On 8 September, the feast day of the Virgen de Orito, she is carried in a procession. The Romería y Feria de San Pascual is considered one of the municipality’s most representative celebrations and is designated a festival of tourist interest. A Feria is held on 17 May as part of the Romería, continuing a tradition that dates back to the 17th century. A giant sundial also stands out in the Parque de la Feria in Orito.

The Centro de Interpretación de Orito is open during the festival of San Pascual on 17 May and by prior arrangement. If you’d like to plan your visit around the festival, check the dates in advance.

Routes to different destinations

The routes differ mainly in the places they connect. The Sendero de San Pascual PR-CV 179 and 179.1 runs between the Santuario de Orito and the Sierra de las Águilas. The Sendero del Cid PR-CV 342 passes through Orito and connects the town centre of Monforte del Cid with the Sierra del Cid. The Camino de San Pascual SL-CV 126 connects the Vinalopó River with the Cueva de San Pascual. Before setting off, check that the routes are open and review their signposting.

Another option is designated for bicycles: the Alicante–Orito stage of the Camino de la Lana offers an alternative road route to the Cueva de San Pascual before rejoining the main route. This alternative is specifically indicated for bicycles.

Getting to the protected area

To reach the protected area, take the A-31 towards Alicante, then the CV-831 towards Orito-Santuario. From there, follow the signs to the Cueva and the campsite. As road conditions and access restrictions can change, check the route before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Jijona, Lorcha, Beniardá, Castillo de Montemar, Abdet, Cocentaina, La Canalosa, Aigües.

For the main travel overview: Alicante.