Captivating: Nature, Trails and Culture

Captivador is an old farmhouse between Altea and La Nucía. Key features to consider when planning your trip include the CEM El Captivador visitor centre, marked circular trails, mountain biking routes and sites connected with local history. This helps you decide how to explore the destination, whether you’re mainly interested in walking the trails, mountain biking or visiting cultural sites.

Nature and circular trails around Captivador

The CEM El Captivador is a visitor complex designed to introduce the public to Mediterranean nature and the history of La Nucía. It lies between the Serra Gelada Natural Park and the Ponoig-Puig Campana protected area; the latter is west of the CEM. The municipal green area of Tossal del Captivador is also part of the area's natural landscape and has a large number of trees.

The Red de Senderos de La Nucía comprises four marked circular trails totalling 20.5 kilometres and includes the CEM El Captivador. The trail network is a useful reference for travellers wishing to include circular walks in their plans. Rest and picnic areas are set in the extensive pine forest, and there are also several drinking water points. Extensive signage and educational panels provide information about the natural surroundings and their resources. This combination of trails, places to take a break and information gives walking its own focus alongside the CEM's cultural sites.

The CEM includes an arboretum, a botanical garden dedicated to conserving, researching and interpreting plant diversity. It features traditional crops, aromatic and medicinal plants, and cacti and succulents. This brings different plant groups together, from traditional crops to plants that stand out for their distinctive characteristics. The CEM grounds cover a total area of 15,189 square metres.

Mountain biking routes and bike park

The La Nucía mountain biking network comprises four circular routes of varying difficulty, which pass through the bike park in the central area. There are five descents there with wooden features, designed for different mountain biking ability levels. The circular routes and the descents in the park therefore differ in format: some are circular trails, while others are descents with wooden features.

One mountain biking route leads into the Captivador pine forest and has two technical sections with several steps. It then passes the Ermita de Sant Vicent, where there is a spring. A mountain biking route runs through the Captivador area and the La Nucía sports complex. In the Ciudad Deportiva–El Captivador area, 70 percent of a route runs along uphill and downhill paths through the pine forest. These different features make it possible to compare route descriptions by terrain and character, without reducing the options to a single type of ride.

Hermitage, festival and local history

The Ermita de Sant Vicent del Captivador was built in 1804 in honour of San Vicente Ferrer. According to local tradition, the saint preached at this site in 1410 while travelling from Teulada to Orihuela and the territories of Castile. The sermon is part of local tradition; no document confirming it has been found. The hermitage is also where the San Vicente festival is celebrated in the Cautivador natural area: it takes place on the Monday after Easter Monday. The festival includes regional dances, performances by Valencian folk groups, running competitions, barbecues and concerts.

Other historical references also shape Captivador. El Captivador was a Morisco settlement until 1609. The Séquia Mare irrigation system was established by Beatriz Fajardo in 1666; part of its route passes through the CEM. The CEM's Museo Etnológico has three exhibition rooms covering almost 180 square metres, dedicated to local culture, traditions, crafts and agriculture. Visitors can see the animals at the Granja Escuela. The cultural themes thus range from the historic site and its traditions to agriculture and everyday culture.

Planning your visit and stay

To reach Captivador and the hermitage, take the road from La Nucía to Altea. After about five kilometres, a sign points the way to the destination. This approximate distance refers to the distance to the sign. When planning your stay, you can consider nature trails, mountain biking and cultural history as distinct areas of interest, and shape your trip around whichever appeals to you most.

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