Orito: Sanctuary, Mountain Views and Paths to San Pascual

Orito between Sanctuary, Cave and Sierra

Orito combines religious history with a striking landscape. 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 in its surroundings. The Santuario de Ntra. Sra. de Orito y de San Pascual was built on the ruins of the Ermita de la Natividad. Inside is a faithful replica of the cell in which San Pascual lived.

The landscape area includes the Paraje Natural Municipal Sierra de las Águilas y San Pascual, with the Cueva de San Pascual and the Santuario de San Pascual de Orito. The cave lies at the foot of the Sierra de las Águilas. Originally, it served as a refuge for shepherds in bad weather and later as a place of prayer. The protected landscape rises to more than 500 metres and offers views over the surrounding area.

Paths with Different Focal Points

The traditional approach to the Cueva de San Pascual is on foot via a steep climb. Two viewpoints offer views from there across the Valle del Medio Vinalopó and the coast of Alicante. Several religious ceramic murals with praises and devotions to San Pascual are located along the ascent. In this way, the route combines exercise with visible traces of the local tradition of faith.

The network of paths includes several routes: 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 between the town centre of Monforte del Cid and the Sierra del Cid. The Camino de San Pascual SL-CV 126 connects the Vinalopó River with the Cueva de San Pascual.

The Alicante–Orito stage of the Camino de la Lana offers cyclists a road alternative to the Cueva de San Pascual before rejoining the main route. To reach the protected area, follow the road from the town via the A-31 towards Alicante and then via the CV-831 towards Orito-Santuario. Then follow the signs to the Cueva and the campsite.

San Pascual as a Visible Focal Point

The Virgen de Orito can be viewed at the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Orito. The tiny figure is only 42 millimetres tall and was found in 1555. On 8 September, the feast day of the Virgen de Orito, it is carried in a procession. The Santuario de la Virgen de Orito y de San Pascual is currently cared for by the Capuchin community from Alicante.

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. The 2026 programme includes a traditional nighttime pilgrimage to the Cueva de San Pascual, starting at the Ermita de San Pascual. On 17 May, a feria is held in the Parque de la Feria on the occasion of the Romería de San Pascual, with origins traceable to the 17th century. A huge sundial is also a notable feature there; visitors can also see a six-metre-high limestone monument to San Pascual, a faithful replica of the sculpture inside the Cueva de San Pascual.

Festivals and Local Highlights

The 2026 Fiestas in honour of Nuestra Señora de Orito include music, gastronomy, Verbenas, competitions and a religious programme. During these Fiestas, tastings of Palomas and Canarios were scheduled daily at 1 p.m., supported by Destilerías Monforte del Cid and Destilerías Limiñana y Botella.

The VI. Cross Virgen de Orito – Milla de Orito is a non-competitive run in Orito with age-appropriate distances ranging from around 75 metres to 1,609 metres. The Centro de Interpretación de Orito is open during the San Pascual festival on 17 May and by prior appointment.

Other Destinations in the Area

Other destinations in the area: Benferri, Castillo de Montemar, L'alfàs Del Pi, Benitachell, Ontilles, Crevillente, Torrevieja and La Vila Joiosa.

The Alicante region: Alicante.