Canyades d'en Cirus: Trails, Chapel and Patron Saint Festivities

Monóvar’s municipal hiking guide comprises 19 routes; Route 12 is one of them.

Hiking Trails and Landscape near Monóvar

Route 12 runs from the Aula de la Naturaleza to Cañadas de Don Ciro via the Cañada Real de los Mudos and the Vereda de los Mudos before reaching the settlement. The route is 10,170 metres long, has a low difficulty level and can be completed by bicycle or on foot.

There is also a drive proposed by the municipality from Monóvar to Cañadas de Don Ciro, covering 22.3 kilometres with an approximate driving time of 24 minutes. This specific connection adds the option of including the settlement in your travel plans on foot, by bicycle or by car.

Landscape with Fields and Wildlife Sightings

In the municipality of Monóvar, roads and paths pass through vineyards, almond groves and olive groves, over stone terraces and past rural homes, cave houses, wells and marble extraction areas. As a result, the surroundings are not a uniform natural area, but rather a landscape made up of agricultural land, rural architecture and traces of stonework.

On Route 12, between El Cabezo and El Calafuch, a fenced plot is considered a habitat for numerous rabbits and hares. A golden eagle can also occasionally be seen there. For walks and cycling trips, this section therefore adds a natural-history aspect alongside the route itself, without guaranteeing any particular wildlife sighting.

Chapel, Bell and Local History

El Hospital on Route 12 is associated with the accommodation of wounded soldiers during the Carlist War. The local chapel was built thanks to financial contributions from all the residents. In 1950, it was inaugurated with the image of Our Lady of Fátima as its patron saint. This history gives the place a clear religious and community connection.

The chapel is home to the Santa Anna bell (1). It is installed in the small bell gable of the Ermita de la Mare de Déu de Fàtima de Les Canyades d'en Cirus and is fitted with a wooden yoke and a crank. This detail also makes the building interesting for visitors interested in local religious architecture and handcrafted elements.

Patron Saint Festivities with Regional Cuisine

Traditional patron saint festivities in honour of the Virgen de Fátima are held in Cañadas de Don Ciro. Recent programmes have included a floral and fruit offering to the Virgen de Fátima, a procession and a fireworks display. A Gatxamiga cooking competition was also included in these programmes. In the festival programme, the father among the well-known Ciros is named Don Ciro Pérez Payá. Together with the chapel and its bell, these festive traditions give the settlement a cultural dimension that extends beyond the trails through the landscape.

Other Places for Orientation

Tormos, San Felipe Neri, Benijófar, Santa Clara, Castell De Castells, Murla, Ontilles and Petrer

Return to the main travel overview: Alicante.