The Santuario de San Pascual de Orito and the Cueva de San Pascual lie within the boundaries of the Paraje Natural Municipal Sierra de las Águilas y San Pascual. Orito brings together places of religious remembrance and a protected landscape: the Santuario preserves the memory of San Pascual, while the Cueva is associated both with its history of prayer and its former use by shepherds.

Landscape and routes

The protected landscape of Sierra de las Águilas y San Pascual rises to more than 500 metres and offers views of the surrounding area. The Cueva de San Pascual lies at the foot of the Sierra de las Águilas. Its traditional approach is on foot via a steep climb; from there, two viewpoints look out over the Valle del Medio Vinalopó and the coast of Alicante. The climb is an important factor in planning: check access locally before setting out.

Several religious ceramic murals depicting praise and devotion to San Pascual are located on the climb to the Cueva. The named routes also differ in their points of reference: 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. Check route availability and signage before setting off.

For cyclists, the Alicante–Orito stage of the Camino de la Lana offers an alternative road route to the Cueva de San Pascual before rejoining the main route. This alternative is specifically intended for bicycles. To reach the protected area, travel from the town via the A-31 towards Alicante, then take the CV-831 towards Orito-Santuario; afterwards, follow the signs for the Cueva and the campsite. Check road conditions and access regulations before travelling.

Traces of San Pascual

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 nearby. The Santuario de Ntra. Sra. de Orito y de San Pascual was built on the ruins of the Ermita de la Natividad. There, visitors can see a faithful replica of the cell where San Pascual lived.

Just 42 millimetres tall, the Virgen de Orito was found in 1555. It can be viewed at the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Orito; check opening hours before visiting. On 8 September, her feast day, she is carried in a procession. The Cueva was first used as shelter for shepherds in bad weather and later as a place of prayer. The different histories help distinguish the sites: the Ermita commemorates the apparition, the Santuario recalls San Pascual’s life, and the Cueva represents shelter and prayer.

Planning visits and feast days

The Centro de Interpretación de Orito is open during the Feast of San Pascual on 17 May and by prior arrangement. Check the current feast dates if you would like to plan your visit around them. The municipal Zona de Acampada de Orito is at the foot of the Sierra de las Águilas, near the Cueva de San Pascual, and is suitable for recreation, sport and relaxation. A public fee is charged for its use.

The 2026 Fiestas in honour of Nuestra Señora de Orito included music, gastronomy, verbena festivities, competitions and a religious programme. This edition also featured daily tastings of Palomas and Canarios at 1 pm, supported by Destilerías Monforte del Cid and Destilerías Limiñana y Botella. These programme items refer to 2026 and do not indicate a permanent gastronomic offering.

Other events are also tied to specific dates: the second edition of the Festival de Teatro Infantil “Entre Viñas” took place in June 2026 as a family-oriented open-air children’s theatre event on the Plaza de Nuestra Señora de Orito, as part of the summer cultural programme. The sixth edition of the 2026 Cross Virgen de Orito – Milla de Orito was planned as a non-competitive run in Orito, with age-appropriate distances ranging from approximately 75 metres to 1,609 metres. The 2026 programme for the Romería y Feria de San Pascual included a traditional night pilgrimage to the Cueva de San Pascual, starting at the Ermita de San Pascual.

The Feria held on 17 May as part of the Romería de San Pascual has been documented since the 17th century. A giant sundial also stands out in the Parque de la Feria in Orito. The landscape, religious history and individual festival dates therefore offer different ways to plan a stay in Orito.

Discover more destinations: Beniaia, Orxeta, La Carroja, Trencall, Castalla, Cocentaina, Granja De Rocamora, Petrer.

For the broader travel overview: Alicante.