Are you planning an autumn trip to Font Roja? If you want to drive your car all the way up, you will need to book your parking space first.
The Font Roja Natural Park in Alcoy is restricting car access on weekends and public holidays from Friday 9 October until Tuesday 8 December, when the area’s autumn colours traditionally attract large numbers of visitors.
Between 09:00 and 14:00 on affected days, an automatic barrier on the access road will stop cars without a reservation.
Motorcycles and bicycles can continue through, while an inexpensive bus service offers another option for anyone who would rather leave the car behind.
Why is Font Roja restricting cars?
The aim is to protect the natural park while avoiding the traffic and parking problems that can develop during particularly busy periods.
Visitor monitoring has found that Font Roja can exceed its capacity at popular times of year, particularly during spring, Easter and autumn.
And autumn is one of the park’s big draws.
The changing leaves bring shades of gold and brown to the landscape around Alcoy, attracting walkers and day-trippers to one of Alicante province’s best-known inland natural areas.
The access system can also help authorities control traffic during difficult weather conditions, including snow, heavy rain, strong winds and extreme heat, as well as during periods of high wildfire risk or other emergencies.
How do you book parking at Font Roja?
The car park near the sanctuary has space for 60 vehicles.
Drivers need to make a reservation through the GVA Parques Naturales mobile app between one and 15 days before their visit.
The booking requires the applicant’s name, DNI/NIE or identification details, date of visit, vehicle registration number and contact telephone number.
The barrier has a number-plate reader, allowing vehicles with a valid reservation to enter.
The restrictions apply from 09:00 to 14:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays between 9 October and 8 December.
Can you take the bus instead?
Yes, and Alcoy Council is reinforcing its bus service during the restricted period.
Buses leave from the municipal cemetery car park at 09:10, 11:40, 13:10 and 14:10.
Return services from Font Roja depart at 09:35, 12:05, 13:35 and 14:35.
A single journey costs €0.90.
For visitors who do not particularly fancy organising a parking reservation, it also removes the question of whether one of those 60 spaces will still be available for the day they want to go.
Who can still drive into Font Roja?
The restrictions do not apply in exactly the same way to everyone.
Customers of rural accommodation, restaurants and other service businesses can access the area after contacting the establishment concerned in advance. The exemption also covers people using the hermitage or campsite and taxis.
Property owners can use the access road provided the natural park has previously registered their vehicle number plate and issued the necessary code.
Motorcycles and bicycles can also pass the barrier without a car parking reservation.
For everyone else arriving by car, the message for an autumn weekend trip is straightforward: reserve before setting off or take the bus.
Turning up and hoping to squeeze into a space is no longer an option during the restricted hours.
Bridging the Gap’s recap
- Font Roja is restricting car access on weekends and public holidays from 9 October to 8 December.
- Restrictions operate between 09:00 and 14:00.
- Cars need a reservation to reach the sanctuary parking area.
- The car park has capacity for 60 vehicles.
- Reservations can be made through the GVA Parques Naturales app between one and 15 days in advance.
- Motorcycles and bicycles can continue through the barrier.
- A bus runs from Alcoy’s municipal cemetery car park and costs €0.90 each way.
- Customers of local establishments and property owners have separate access arrangements.
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