Orito between Pilgrimage and Sierra

Culture

The Ermita de la Aparición in Orito was built in the 17th century to commemorate the apparition 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, a faithful replica of the cell where San Pascual lived can be seen.

The Cueva de San Pascual originally served as a place of prayer and, before that, as a shelter for shepherds in bad weather. The Virgen de Orito, measuring just 42 millimetres, was found in 1555 and can be viewed in the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Orito. 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.

Landscape

The Cueva de San Pascual lies at the foot of the Sierra de las Águilas. The protected Sierra de las Águilas y San Pascual landscape rises to more than 500 metres and offers views of the surrounding area.

The traditional approach to the Cueva de San Pascual is on foot via a steep ascent; from there, two viewpoints offer views across the Valle del Medio Vinalopó and the coast of Alicante. Several religious ceramic murals featuring praise and veneration of San Pascual are located along the ascent.

From the town, access to the protected area is via the A-31 towards Alicante, followed by the CV-831 towards Orito-Santuario; then follow the signs to the Cueva and the campsite. The municipal Zona de Acampada de Orito lies at the foot of the Sierra de las Águilas, near the Cueva de San Pascual, and is suitable for recreation, sport and relaxation.

Trails

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.

For cyclists, the Alicante–Orito stage of the Camino de la Lana offers a road alternative to the Cueva de San Pascual before rejoining the main route.

Festivals and Events

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 Romería y Feria de San Pascual is considered one of the municipality’s most representative festivities and has been designated a festival of tourist interest. The 2026 programme includes a traditional night-time pilgrimage to the Cueva de San Pascual, starting at the Ermita de San Pascual.

A Feria documented since the 17th century takes place in the Parque de la Feria in Orito on 17 May on the occasion of the Romería de San Pascual; a huge sundial is also a notable feature there. A six-metre-high limestone monument to San Pascual can be seen, a faithful replica of the sculpture inside the Cueva de San Pascual.

The VI. Cross Virgen de Orito – Milla de Orito is a non-competitive race in Orito with age-appropriate distances ranging from approximately 75 metres to 1,609 metres. The Festival de Teatro Infantil “Entre Viñas” is a family-oriented open-air event for children’s theatre held in the Plaza de Nuestra Señora de Orito in Orito.

The Centro de Interpretación de Orito is open during the San Pascual festival on 17 May and at other times by prior arrangement.

Further destinations

Further destinations: Agres, Castillo de Montemar, Benimarfull, Tabarca, Sax, Benejúzar, La Vall De Gallinera, Beniarrés

To the overview of higher-level travel destinations: Alicante.