The surface designated as a park occupies 31,180 hectares. This makes the area the largest protected natural space in the Province of Castellón and the second largest of the Valencian Community. 11 of the 19 municipal areas involved are completely within the limits of the natural park: Aín, Alcudia de Veo, Almedíjar, Azuébar, Chóvar, Eslida, Fuentes de Ayódar, Higueras, Pavías, Torralba del Pinar and Villamalur; whereas the remaining 8 townships are only partially included: Alfondeguilla, Algimia de Almonacid, Artana, Ayódar, Matet, Sueras, Tales and Vall de Almonacid.
Sierra de Espadán mountain range offers visitors a wide variety of plant life: woods of maritime pine, riparian forest, the typical Mediterranean oak forest and Aleppo pine as well as interesting rarities such as small Chestnut woods. However, without doubt, the Cork oak woods are the most representative ecosystem of the Sierra de Espadán Natural Park, due to their uniqueness and good conservation.
The fauna found in the park is the result of the diversity of landscape and environment within the park itself. Starting with the amphibians, various species such as the Common toad or the Natterjack toad can be found. However, the most interesting species is the Iberian ribbed newt, which lives in the irrigation pools.
The reptiles are represented by species such the Ocellated lizard or fardatxo, the Large Psammodromus, the Ladder snake and the Montpellier snake.
With regard to the birds of the area, worth mentioning are the birds of prey. The rare and endangered Bonelli’s eagle, which lives in the mountain range and woods. Other birds of prey which find an ideal habitat are the Short-toed eagle, Booted eagle and the Northern goshawk. Among the nocturnal birds of prey are the Tawny owl, Long-eared owl and the Eurasian eagle-owl. Other typical birds of this mountain range are the Eurasian jay, Eurasian nuthatch, Robin, Wryneck or Chaffinch, etc.
Location
At the southern part of Castellón province, amongst the counties of Alto Mijares, Alto Palancia and La Plana Baixa, bordered by the basins of the Mijares and Palancia rivers.
