Route 14 From Alcoy to La Vila Joiosa

Route 14From Alcoy to La Vila Joiosa

From the Sierra de Aitana to the Serra Geladathrough ancient Arabic lands

1 • La Serreta

2 • Castle: Castillo de Penella

3 • Paraje del Salt

4 • Ravine: Barranc dels Horts

de Marra

5 • Mount: Sierra del Rontonar

6 • Summit: Cumbre del

Rontanar

7 • Castle: Castillo de

Benifallim

8 • Hermitage: Ermita de

Torresena

9 • Castle: Castillo de Penáguila

10 • Ares del Bosc

11 • Aitana

12 • Farm: Partida de Xarquera

13 • Waterspout: Font del Arbre

14 • Waterspout: Font del Espinal

15 • Waterspout: Font de Forata

16 • Castle: El Castell de Guadalest

17 • Caserío de Abdet

18 • Waterspout: Fuente de

Partagat

19 • Castle: Castillo de Sella

20 • Reservoir: Embalse de

Guadalest

21 • Waterspout: Font de Les

Salines

22 • Pas del Comptador

23 • Waterspout: Fuentes del Algar

24 • Fortress: Fort de Bèrnia

25 • Mount: Puig Campana

26 • La Lloma

27 • Beach: Playa de la Olla

28 • Beaches: Playas del Cap

Blanch

29 • Altea la Vella

30 • Beach: Playa de l’Albir

31 • Mount: Serra Gelada

32 • Islet: Illeta de l’Olla

33 • Islet: Islote de Benidorm

34 • Racó de l’Oix

35 • Beach: Playa de Poniente

36 • Theme Park: Parque

temático Terra Mítica

37 • Beach: Playa de Levante

38 • Beach: Playa de la Vila Joiosa

RUTA14y15_142a172_da OK ingles.qxp:rutas 15/07/10 8:19 Página 142

This route will allow us to explore the Aitana sierra and the

spectacular valleys with beautiful towns nestling on their

north-facing slopes. Former land of Moors [post-

reconquest Arabs converted to Christianity], in this

territory it is noticeable how the former inhabitants of this

territory exploited nature in the most beneficial and

respectful way: terraces of dry-stone walling and irrigation

channels to irrigate just a few metres of places where

nature is the undisputed powerful queen. From the Aitana

sierra we have spectacular views that enable us to see,

among other places, our next destination: the Bèrnia

sierra. We will be left in wonder and delight getting to

know these spots and, if the heat gets too much, we will

visit the waterspouts of the Fuentes de Algar, a real natural

water park in the Region of Valencia. Travelling through La

Marina Baixa we will reach the coast, where the city of

Altea awaits, muse of artists and craftworkers. From this

point, and until we reach Benidorm, the end of our route,

we will pass though the Serra Gelada, a coastal sierra with

beautiful cliffs and magical small islands just off the coast:

a spectacular route through mountains and along the

coast that will allow us, in a few short kilometres, to pass

through places as different as the Aitana sierra and

Benidorm, a capital of tourism.

From Alcoy to Benifallim over thehillsides of the Hontonar sierra

From Alcoy to Benilloba we will have to take the CV-70.

Along this road, close to Alcoy, we are accompanied by

the pleasant pinewood of the Serreta and, when the

landscape changes and on the slopes of the ravines we

glimpse crops of almonds and olives, vines and cereals,

on our left we will discover Penella castle, belonging to

the municipal district of Cocentaina. Penella castle,

situated in a delightful setting, is a 13th century Spanish

construction located on the Cerro de Sant Cristòfol. A few

kilometres further on we come to the town of Benilloba.

This former Arab hamlet responds to that with its steep,

narrow streets surrounded by whitewashed houses.

Benilloba is a rich and prosperous town, forged in the

heat of the powerful textile industry of the region to

which it belongs: El Comtat. We notice in this

municipality the delightful places there are around it.

These spots are the result of the river Frainós running by

the town. So, we will visit the spot named Salt [from the

Spanish for “leap”, not the English word!], where there are

remains of an Arab aqueduct, the course of which is now

covered under a green mantle. Following the river we will

El Castell de Guadalest 38º 40' 61'' N 0º 11' 9'' W

- 143142


reach the Cuixot ravine, where we find the remains of an

arch-shaped bridge of Arabic origin. From Benilloba we

head along the CV-787 as far as Benifallim, on a

continuous uphill climb along the length of the Horts de

Marra ravine. Having reached the tiny town of Benifallim,

its single-storey buildings with wrought iron grilles

immediately attract our attention. At the foot of the

Rontanar sierra, in this space next to the village, we find

spots with abundant masses of Holm oaks and pines, so

much so that the place has been declared a micro-

reserve for its flora. At Benifallim, another of the

outstanding features is the castle, set on a rocky ridge

commanding a very wide visual domain that takes in the

castles of Cocentaina, Penelles, Penáguila and La

Costurera. From the town we can also make an excursion

taking us to the summit of the Rontanar, at 1,330 metres,

following a road that will take us past the great snow-

storage pit of this sierra.

Over the hillsides of theAitana sierra on the way to ElCastell de Guadalest

Our next destination is Penàguila. From

Benifallim we will have to take the CV-785 to

reach this municipality. On the way we will find

ourselves in the harmonious and relaxing spot

formed by the farmstead, the hermitage and the

Sena tower. Having arrived at Penàguilar, its rich

architectural heritage gives the impression that the

town has been a privileged witness to the history of

this area. After the conquest by Jaume I, at

Penàguila, due to the abuses from the Spaniards, the

Moors of the area rebelled. The Arab leader Al Azraq,

who dominated the Gallinera valley came to the aid

of the infuriated rebels although the Spaniards

eventually put down the rebellion and Al Azraq died

in Alcoy in 1276. Due to Penàgulla’s strategic

importance, Pere III of Aragon did not restrict himself to

facilitating the arrival of Spanish colonists, but rather, in

1278, when he signed Penàgulla’s town charter, he

obliged the hundred Spanish colonists by contract to look

after the castle and build houses and defensive walls

around it. Later, Penàgulla was besieged in 1356 by the

troops of Pedro I, the Cruel, who ended up being

defeated, which made the king of Aragon concede

Penàguilar the right to be called Villa Real [Royal Town]

and to have a vote in the courts. As a royal town,

Penàguilar sheltered the houses of the nobles of different

dominions of towns in the region and so, we can find

different houses of the nobility, of great architectural and

heritage value. Of the former defensive wall, only a few

towers and portals remain, outstanding amongst which is,

undoubtedly, El Portalet, a curious gate that impeded

entry into the town in a straight line, obliging those

entering to make two right-angled turns, thus increasing

control over the people who entered. The castle, for its

part, declared of Cultural Interest, is in a half-ruined state.

In the vicinity of its urban centre we will visit the palace

and Garden of Saints with its museum-house. This is a

Route 14From Alcoy to Vila Joiosa

El Castell de Guadalest 38º 40' 64'' N 0º 11' 9'' W


- 145

romantic garden which displays within its interior

botanical species unique in the area and a charming tree-

lined maze. We leave Penàguilar on the CV-781 in the

direction of Alcoleja and, before reaching this town, at the

point where the road divides and becomes the CV-770, on

a there and back stretch we will make a visit to the

peaceful and beautiful town of Benasau. Walking around

the streets with their harmonious vernacular architecture,

we come to the palace-tower of the Barons of Finestrat,

declared a Place of Cultural Interest. Within its municipal

boundary, we come to the town of Ares del Bosc, where

the 16th century palace of the Marquises of Bosc is

situated. In the environs we will find the remains of what

was the Arab town of Frainos, abandoned in 1609. Having

returned to our route, we come to Alcoleja where we are

pleasantly surprised by the ruggedness of its mountainous

setting, at the foot of the Aitana sierra, with a landscape

dominated by crops of olives and almonds, that drive the

economy of this mountainous population. Its closeness to

the Aitana sierra turns it into one of the favourite access

points for hikers to set out on the different routes there

are in the sierra. Within the town we will visit the

mediaeval part of the village, presided over by the remains

of the Marquis of Malferit’s palace. The most outstanding

features of this palatial house are the unusual tower

adjoining the building, in a good state of conservation,

and the great gateway with a semi-circular arch. From

Alcoleja we will take a pleasant quiet rural road. On this

stretch we will visit the town of Beniafé. We will pass

through the district of Xarquera, negotiating next a

narrow pass at over a thousand metres above sea level.

Once we have reached the top of this hard climb, the

views that open out before us are impressive. Confrides

Castle presents itself on a seemingly inaccessible hill, and

the Guadalest valley and some of the hamlets that shape

it today are glimpsed in the incomparable natural setting

of the Aitana sierra. And we say they shape it today, given

that before the expulsion of the Moors there were twenty

centres of habitation in the valley, and in present times

there are only six: Confrides, Abdet, Benifató, Beniardà,

Benimantell and Guadalest castle. The repopulation of the

area after the expulsion of the Moors in 1609 was slow

and scant and the Arab traces are perceived in modern

times in the water channels and ways in which the springs

are made use of. These are intelligent water management

systems that are today part of a living cultural landscape;

small dams, irrigation ditches, public washing places,

watering pools, cisterns, waterwheels… We can find these

demonstrations of Arab engineering both in the

mountain areas (with public waterspouts such as those of

Forata, Arbre, Espinal, Partagat, Xorrets, Salines or Molí) and

in the urban areas. They are a singular human work and

heritage to make beneficial use of water, in a readily

accessible and convenient way. We can also see signs of

the Moors passage, in the terraces, crops in impossible

places that form spots of unique beauty, such as when the

green of the olives blends with the whitey-grey of the

limestone rocks. In the area of the shaded side of the

Sierra Aitana 38º 38' 61'' N 0º 10' 24'' W

144


highest close to the coastline of the entire Valencian coast.

The Aitana sierra stretches out over an area of

approximately two thousand hectares. In the landscape of

the sierra rocks and boulders are overwhelmingly

predominant. What is most eye-catching about the

summits of Aitaina are the sheer cliff-like rock walls caused

by a fault running west to east and which has

spectacularly split the anticline that forms the sierra, as we

can splendidly see from the Fuente de Partagat. From

there, climbing up a little further, we will reach the Simas

del Partagat: huge rock formations, hanging over a void

and split apart with huge fissures over eighty metres deep,

a breath taking natural spectacle that also includes the

quirky rock formation of the Penya Forata. Incredibly from

the Simas del Partagat, on clear days, we can enjoy wide

panoramic views that enable us, at a glance, to make out

without any difficulty almost the entire territory of

Valencia. Southwards there is the whole of the coast

between the Penyal d’Ifac and the Orihuela sierra; only

Benidorm remains hidden by the impressive limestone

mass of Puig Campana. To the east the urbanisations

along the coast, the Bèrnia sierra, the Montgó and, if we

look really keenly, the island of Ibiza. To the north, this

panoramic view is closed by the unsurpassable sierras of

La Serrella and Alfaro, between which we glimpse the gulf

of Valencia and the sierras of the interior of Castellón.

Away to the west, above all, the summit of Montcabrer

stands out. The potential vegetation in the area is the

Holm oak, although today they only remain in isolated

patches. The most attractive to travellers are the bush or

tree varieties that develop in humid spots, as is the case of

yew, ash and Montpellier maple. We highlight this last

species, of which we find numerous examples in the

vicinity of the Fuente de Partagat, as it is one of the

southernmost outposts of the species on the peninsula.

Walking through the sierra it is possible to enjoy the

Aitana sierra, on the different plains we come across at

great altitudes, farmsteads are situated, hundreds of years

old. They are the nerve centre of an agrarian life formed by

fields of crops worked in dry-stone walling. Along with the

farmsteads, the Aitana sierra does not lack more modest

constructions either, like the corrals, houses, lambing

sheds or refuges. Another unequivocal sign of the passage

of the Moors through this area are the spectacular castles,

like that of Confrides, already mentioned, and those of El

Castell de Guadalest or Sella, which had the function of

refuges, lookouts and the defence of the outlying hamlets.

We now arrive at the town of Confrides, former settlement

of Aljófar, already in the interior of La Marina Baixa region

and in the upper part of the Guadalest valley. It has,

therefore, the dual function of being the first mountain

village, but also the last of La Marina. At the town’s plaza

we find the symbol of Confrides, a magnificent walnut

tree hundreds of years old. As we leave for Benifato, on the

left we will see the small and charming hamlet of Caserio

de Abdet. Here we can see the first “trinquets” [where a

local traditional ball game was played] in the Region of

Valencia, dating from 1772. This trinquet is, moreover,

unique in that its particular dimensions are such that it is

possible to play the historic game of pilota: Pilota grossa.

The trinquet was remodelled in 2006. Once at Benifató,

what most attracts our attention in this town is the parish

church of Sant Miquel, with its original belfry set apart

from the rest of the building. From Benifató, we will get to

the Aitana sierra along a road that leads to the Fuente de

Partagat and its recreational area. This is a good place to

mention that the Aitana sierra, with its 1,558 metres above

sea level, is the highest spot of the mountains in the south

of the Region of Valencia. Close by, almost an extension of

Aitana, the 1,410 metres of the Puig Campana make it the


Sierra Aitana 38º 38' 61'' N 0º 10' 24'' W


- 147146

presence of birds of prey like the peregrine falcon, golden

eagle and Bonelli’s eagle. Spotting mammals is more

complicated, since the possibilities of coming across

species like the mountain cat, marten, fox, wild boar or

badger are unlikely, as they are nocturnal. Easier to see

might be the hedgehog, wild rabbit, hares and rats, as

well as a whole series of reptiles like the ladder snake, the

Montpellier snake, and the snub-nosed viper [none of

which are dangerous]. In the Aitana sierra we can also

come across the snow pits (in this area called “pous de

neu”), so characteristic of the Alicante mountains. After

having got to know the Aitana sierra and returning to

Benifato, we now head for the village of Beniardá. We

discover there a small town, situated almost on the shores

of the Guadalest reservoir. Like the rest of the towns in the

valley, it presents streets set out at the service, in its time,

of a mediaeval society in which the location, structure and

materials, not only served for living comfortably - narrow

streets cool in summer, walls of limestone and clay - but

they also served as defensive lookouts and to watch over

the crops and livestock. The most attractive activity we

can undertake in Benardña is, perhaps, to take a stroll

around the environs of the Guadalest reservoir between

peaceful fields of olive and almond trees. We must also

visit the Font Vella, with four waterspouts, surrounded by

strong, fat, ancient eucalyptus trees giving shade to the

whole of the little plaza where there is also a former public

washing place. Another place of interest is the Font de la

Mesquita, which is set in the environs of where it is

believed the second largest Mosque in Al-Andalus was

sited. From Beniardá we now head for the next town of

Benimantell. The steep streets of this town have their most

representative example in the Trencacames (leg breaker), a

street so named for its steepness. We reach the parish

church dedicated to San Vicente Mártir, which is a

building of architectural interest for having a curiously

hexagonal tower. From this town we can undertake

outings to various spots within its municipal boundary. We

can visit different public waterspouts like the Font Major,

Pi, Salines or that of Molí, with a very well-appointed

recreational area. Also interesting are the ruins of the

castle on the Peña del Castellet, declared a Place of

Cultural Interest. Before heading for the municipality of El

Castell de Guadalest we should visit the Pas de

Comptador, on the Aitana sierra, thus named because it

was so narrow the shepherds could count their sheep

through it one by one.

From El Castell de Guadalest’s castleto the Fortress of the Serra de Bèrnia

Shortly after leaving Benimantell we enter El Castell de

Guadalest. Historical capital of the valley, the whole

village has been declared a Place of Cultural Interest.

This town is reached through a natural opening in the

mountain, on which the municipality is situated. It is a

hill over five hundred metres high on which the town

sits. The most outstanding feature of the village, and

not just for being on the highest rock of the town, is

undoubtedly the castle of Sant Josep, from where there

are some extremely beautiful panoramic views of the

area. The castle played a very important role

throughout the Middle Ages and in modern times,

thanks to its strategic position. The earthquakes in 1644

and 1748, and being blown up in 1708 during the War

of Succession were responsible for its destruction. There

is another castle in the town of El Castell de Guadalest,

that of Alcozaiba, raised by the Arabs in the 11th

century, and of which in present times only a half

ruined tower remains. In the old quarter we find

different houses of the nobility of great architectural

Almond trees in Valle de Guadalest 38º 39' 61'' N 0º 12' 1'' W


interest, amongst which stands out that of the Orduña

family, former lords of the valley, which have various

floors arranged according to the level of the mountain

on which they are situated. In El Castell de Guadalest, it

is striking how many museums there are in a small

village. Thus we can visit the museum of instruments of

torture, the municipal museum Casa Orduña, the

museum of micro-miniatures, the Guadalest

ethnological museum, the micro-gigantic museum (of

miniatures and gigantic sculptures), the museum of

nativity scenes and dolls’ houses, the historical vehicle

museum, and the Ribera Girona museum. Nowadays El

Castell de Guadalest has become an icon of La Marina

Baixa tourism as a supplementary offer to the coastal

sun and beach tourism. Its fame is more than deserved

given its history, architectural heritage, its daring and

defensive location on some inaccessible crags over five

hundred metres high and the total conversion to

tourism of its traditional agrarian economy. As we

come down from El Castell de Guadalest towards

Callosa d’en Sarrià, we can observe how all types of

crops are grown up the lower slopes of the Aitana, from

oranges in the southern and lower areas of the Puig

Campana and Palop, passing to loquats or Japanese

medlar, and then on the steepest mountain slopes,

olives and almonds. The magnificent natural and

cultural landscapes of these sierras have in recent years

been at the centre of attention of the more sensitive

foreigners and lovers of our cultural heritage. The result

is a tendency towards cultural and environmental

tourism, which has given rise to the appearance of new

economic activities that we could include in what is

generically referred to as rural tourism. This dedication

to cultural tourism has encouraged the recuperation of

a large part of the dwellings of the rural world not only

in the built-up areas, but also in the rest of the territory

of each municipal district. The restoration of buildings

has a variety of ends that enrich the resulting new

cultural landscape: rural hostels, mountain hotels,

refuges or dwellings of new residents in the area, from

the townspeople retiring and returning to their roots,

passing through the children of émigrés of the 1960s

and ’70s who return or remain in the town, and ending

up with the British, German or French people who have

discovered their own personal paradises in the

mountains of the two marine provinces. Even a

farmstead located in the vicinity of Tudons harbour has

been converted into an art gallery. So, the hotel and

catering trade, accommodation, handcrafts, the

gathering of aromatic herbs… all are the modern work

and activities in the Aitana-Puig Campana area that

have given a new character and reality to some

mountains that seemed abandoned to their fate at the

beginning of the 70s, when tourism was concentrated

along the coastal strip. Our route now reaches Callosa

d’en Sarrià. This town was famous for its historical

disputes over property rights and municipal

boundaries, due to the richness of its waters, since

Callosa is surrounded by the rivers Guadalest, Bolulla

and Algar. Such abundance of water and a benign

climate has favoured the production, on the classic

terraces, of Mediterranean crops such as almonds and

grapes, and of tropical fruit such as kiwi, mango and,


Polop 38º 37' 08'' N 0º 7' 53'' E


- 149148

above all, the loquat. Callosa produces over half of the

total national production of loquat, which has been

granted a Denomination of Origin for the entire area.

Today Callosa is a beautiful, white and ochre-coloured

city with an old quarter in which its church of San Juan

Bautista can be visited, with an original neoclassical

portal, as well as the Portal or mediaeval arched

gateway that gave access to the mediaeval town, or

again, the remains of the mediaeval wall situated above

all at the Plaza del Castell, originally the site of the

feudal lord’s residence. Within the municipal boundary

of Callosa d’en Sarriá we find two hits with Valencian

tourism: the Fuentes del Algar and the Fort de Bèrnia.

To reach the Fuentes del Algar there is a three-kilometre

stretch there and back from our main route. So we head

for the famous gushing waters of the river Algar, a leafy

and exuberant spot, formed by the river Algar at the

foot of the Bèrnia sierra: waterfalls and spectacular

natural pools of crystal clear water surrounded by

exuberant vegetation. Visitors must be aware that in

order to enjoy this impressive spot of nature they must

pay a small admission fee. In exchange, at the Fuentes

del Alagar you will find all types of services. In the

vicinity of the Fuentes del Algar a path leads up to the

defiant summits of the Bèrnia sierra. A circular route

through this sierra and returning to the Fuentes del

Algar, could take some six hours

of stiff walking. The outing is

more than worth the trouble. The

path goes up dizzyingly until it

reaches the Xaló pass. Here the

circular route begins which will

take us, in the first place, to the

Casas de Bèrnia. On the way

there the Bèrnia sierra surprises

us, with the image of a shaded

ravine with nearly vertical

walls that plummet

dizzyingly: a lonely, spot

worthy of the high mountain,

extremely spectacular.

Leaving behind the Casas de Bèrnia, we see that the

impregnable appearance would have been more real in

mediaeval times, when the social marginalisation of the

Moors turned the crags and gravel pits into a subversive

refuge hard to control. Today, however, Bèrnia offers us

no more than motives, sites of both natural and cultural

heritagefor the intense enjoyment of a surprising

mountainous area. There is only one waterspout on the

circular route, at Cabanes, so it will be necessary to take

water and remember to refill flasks. The steep incline

opens up an amazing landscape at our feet. We now

head for the Forat de Bènia along a delightful path,

embedded in the steep slope, from where we can

appreciate spectacular crests of stone that crown the

sierra. Having reached the Forat de Bèrnia we will realise

that we are looking at one of the most impressive

caprices of nature existing in the Region of Valencia. El

Forat de Bèrnia is a tunnel formed without human

assistance which provides a perfect connection

between the shady side of the sierra and the sunny

face. It is also the most original and unusual means of

communication between the regions of La Marina Alta

and La Marina Baixa. Given that it is not very high, you

have to go through the Forat crouching down. The

narrow opening we enter on the shady side opens out

Serra Gelada 38º 31' 82'' N 0º 5' 43'' W


into a great cave which, like a balcony, leaves all of La

Marina Baixa at our feet. On a clear day we will be able

to see the Serra Gelada, Alacant castle, Tabarca island

and Santa Pola cape all stand out clearly. Looking inland

we glimpse other mountainous ‘balconies’ that, like

Bèrnia, look toward the sea: Cabeçó d’Or, Peña de

Migdia, Sierra del Maigmó, Sierra de Crevillent… Further

inland, the most emblematic mountains of these

regions dominate the landscape: Puig Campana, Aitana,

Serrella and Montecabrer. After the Forat, the path

heads for the Fort de Bèrnia, witness to one of the

darkest chapters in the history of the Region of Valencia.

In the year 1562 Felipe II ordered the construction on

the southern slope of the sierra what was named Fort

de Bèrnia. The aim of the building was, on the one

hand, to prevent Moorish rebellions, and on the other,

to defend the coast against the frequent Berber pirate

attacks. During the Moorish rebellion of 1609 the rebels

took charge of the fort, entrenching themselves in it for

a year until, exhausted and demoralised, they preferred

to die throwing themselves over the precipices of the

sierra rather than surrender and be expelled. As from

1612 it started to be dismantled, since provisioning it

was very complicated due to its remote location and

the Spanish Moors had already been expelled.

Nowadays numerous remains of the fort may be

observed: stretches of defensive wall, vaulted

constructions, moats and towers of the Fort. After our

look around the Fort de Bèrnia, the road brings us back

to the Xaló pass and, from there, to the Fuentes del

Algar. Returning this way to Callosa d’en Sarrià, we

resume our route in the direction of Polop.

From Callosa d’en Sarrià to l’Alfàsdel Pi amongst loquats

We arrive in Polop through a traditional rural landscape

with agriculture which, among the almond, olive and

loquat trees, allows citrus crops to be glimpsed. Polop

was the historic capital of La Marina Baixa. The town is

found situated at the foot of Mount Ponoig, 1,181

metres high, on a hill, surrounding its castle. Polop

castle is of Arab origin and was built at the beginning of

the 12th century. It was an important stronghold with

great strategic value in the region but, because of the

conflicts in which it played a leading role, the

constructions in its interior were pulled down, the

materials also being made use of for the building of the

neighbouring hermitage. Among the aforementioned

conflicts, it is worth summarising the occurrence during

the Germanías, when a new Moorish rebellion had its

centre at Polop castle, where the rebels fortified

themselves until they were defeated by lies and trickery

and practically massacred. After wandering around the

village of Polop and discovering its pretty vernacular

architecture, we head for the village of La Nucia, just a

kilometre away. La Nucia, like nearly all the hamlets in

the area, was originally an Arab ‘alquería’ or country

estate. The surrounding landscape shows an original

topography for the presence of various hills that have

been made use of for the location of different urban

developments. In La Nucia, the influence of coastal

tourism has cornered its former agricultural activity. Its

urban layout stretches quite harmoniously over an

agreeable plain at the foot of the Cerros de les Forques.

Walking through the streets of La Nucia, we come

across the Seu Unversitària, a building which was

formerly the San Rafael state school, situated right in

the urban centre and opened in 1936. The building was

altered and extended in 2007, to become the

permanent seat of La Universitat d’Alicant in La Nucia.

The project, designed by the local architect José

Campos Rosique, represents a bold bid to reconcile the

old with the new and is destined to become a

reference point for the whole region. From La Nucia we

reach Altea by means of the CV-760; nevertheless, those

who prefer the peace and quiet of a cycle ride or a walk

may reach Altea through rural landscapes by means of

agricultural roads such as that of La Lloma. If El Castell

de Guadalest is an icon of tourism in the mountain

region of La Marina Baixa, the cupola of the church of



- 151150

Altea, all in blue with white geometrical decoration,

crowing the hill of the old quarter, is that of the coast;

not in vain is it known as “the cupola of the

Mediterranean”. The quietness of the old quarter has for

decades, made Altea a place for artists and craftspeople

to visit and live: Eberhard Schlotter, Rafael Alberti,

Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, and Josh Rouse. In its urban

layout of sheltered steep, narrow alleyways opening out

every so often onto vantage points and tiny tree-lined

squares, we come across the Galera tower, declared a

Place of Cultural Interest. In spite of, or perhaps because

of, its tourist renown, Altea has never stopped being a

small fishing town with its white houses, flowers and

cobbled streets. As if this were not enough, to the north

the Bèrnia sierra creates a shield of solid rock, which

prevents the cold winds and external influences from

penetrating into the bay, creating a magical

microclimate. If we move away from the urban centre

towards the line of the coast, we must not miss the

beautiful spots like those of the beaches of: La Roda,

Cap Blanch, Cap Negret, Cala de Soio or Cala de la Olla.

Or the gravel beach like La Barreta. On the other hand,

at the foot of the Bèrnia sierra the original site of Altea.

We refer to Altea la Vella. If we go there today, we can

enjoy a close-knit centre of population with a beautiful

Calvary [route with the Stations of the Cross] lined with

eye-catching cypresses. After Altea our route makes its

way in the direction of L’Alfàs del Pi

along peaceful rural roads of

Arcs and Altea. L’Alfàs del Pi

has acquired international

renown for its Film Festival

held in July. At L’Alfas del Pi we

come across a curious detail

and it is that more than half the

population is foreign. In fact,

L’Alfàs del Pi has the second

largest concentration of

Norwegian citizens resident

outside their country (London has

the most). Two kilometres from

L’Alfàs del Pi, within its municipal boundary, we find

l’Albir beach, situated at the foot of the Serra Gelada.

Continuing from l’Albir beach in the direction of the

lighthouse along the same coast, we come to a naturist

beach with unrestricted access. From this beach an

excursion sets out to l’Albir along the old road, set out

as an ecological route, offering recreational areas and

magnificent panoramic views of the coast. Beside the

lighthouse there is the Bombarda tower, declared a

Place of Cultural Interest. We can also reach the summit

of Serra Gelada by a well-signposted path.

Benidorm 38º 32' 23'' N 0º 7' 74'' W


Along the cliffs of the Serra Gelada,on the way to Benidorm and La VilaJoiosa

The Serra Gelada is one of the most unusual nature

parks in the Region of Valencia, being the first land and

sea park in the territory. The Serra Gelada is a small

mountainous range orientated northeast-southwest,

separating the bays of Benidorm and Altea.

It is characterized by its asymmetric shape which is

obvious along the whole of its six-kilometre length. In

addition, the group of various islets must be added, two

within the municipal boundary of Benidorm (l’Illa de

Benidorm and l’Illa Mijana), and two within the

municipal boundary of Altea (l’Olla and the tiny islet of

La Galera).

Within its waters we can find some of the most

interesting and surprising areas of the entire peninsular

coast of the Mediterranean, the most outstanding

being extensive meadows of the protected sea grass

known locally as Alguers (Posidonia oceanica) and rocky

seabeds, such as La Llosa, with an exceptional biological

diversity.

The easiest and most direct way to get up the 435

metres to its summit is by taking the road that starts

out from the water treatment plant, in the Pla del

Cuartel district.

Almost at the edge of the cliff there is a trig point, from

where we can contemplate the majesty of these

precipices, where examples of yellow-legged gulls

flying hundreds of metres below us seem miniscule.

The route over the sierra continues up

and downhill, passing the ruins of a

former coastguard house and a small

water well on the watercourse.

Halfway along we come to an area

where there is a small stand of pines

that will serve to rest in the shade,

offering us a delightful view of l’Illa Mitjana. The final

stretch of scrubland that we will travel through passes

over a high point where we can look, once again, at the

cliffs. From this landmark on we have to watch out so as

not to miss the path running through low vegetation or

over bare rock.

A few minutes later we reach a cross placed on top of

the Racó de l’Oix, where an asphalted track starts that

leads to Benidorm. Travellers will have mixed feelings at

the sight of Benidorm, but what is certain is that the

Valencian tourist resort will not leave you indifferent. Its

image is unmistakable as few others on the Valencian

coast, not only for its model in height offered for

tourism but also for the sheer amount on offer for

leisure and the quality of its hotels.

But above all for its weather, beaches and location, on

the southern slope of the utterly beautiful Aitana sierra

and the Puig Campana, which protect the city from the

cold north winds. Benidorm is the town with most

skyscrapers per inhabitant in the world and the second

in the number of skyscrapers per square metre after

Manhattan.

What would be the tallest building in Spain, the Hotel

Bali III, is in Benidorm, and is the tallest hotel in Europe.

Also, building has begun on the tallest residential

building in Europe, which will be called Intempo

(200m). As well as skyscrapers, in Benidorm we ought to

visit the vantage point on the Poniente beach with its

balustrade of white stone.

Away from the old quarter, the Aigüera green park is

relevant, designed by the architect Ricardo Bofill,

situated in the centre of the modern city. And all of

that, without forgetting the numerous leisure parks like

the Terra Mitica [land of myths] theme park or that of


La Vila Joiosa 38º 30' 15.60" N 0º 13' 51.60" W


Terra Natura [land of nature]. A pleasant stroll of two

kilometres will enable us to look around the Levante

beach and the peaceful Poniente beach. Both have

assiduous visitors throughout the year.

From Benidorm a nice boat trip can be taken to L’Illa

[the Isle of Benidorm], with exceptional flora and fauna

on its sea beds. We leave Benidorm to head for Vila

Joiosa.

Having reached this city which closes our itinerary, we

find ourselves in the historic and administrative capital

of La Marina Baixa.

It still maintains its ties with the sea, complementary to

the tourist industry. In this sense we can enjoy the fish

auctions in the afternoon, as well as the brightly

coloured façades for the fishermen, in bygone times, to

make out their homes from afar when out at sea. Other

places we should visit in the Vila are the Casa Barbara,

the Roman funeral tower of Hercules and the different

beaches, of which we highlight the beaches del Centro,

del Paradis, the little cove of Racó Conill, where scuba

diving or naturism can be done, and the transparent

water coves of Bol Nou and La Caleta.

Practical information

Fiestas, food and craftsThe cuisine of these towns offers

fish and rice dishes, more

frequently the closer we get

to the coast, and thick hearty

stews in towns further inland.

Inland and around Alcoy,

dishes such as: pericana [cod

and dried peppers], olleta

[stew], bajoques farcidas

[stuffed peppers], pastel de

carne [meatloaf ], arròs caldós

amb conill [rice in rabbit stock]

and giraboix [cod, green beans

and potato]. It is traditional

cooking in which other dishes stand out: gazpachos

manchegos with pieces of game [rich stew with rabbit

and chicken pieces cooked with tomatoes, nothing to

do with the cold tomato soup “gazpacho de Andaluz”],

fraseures [meatballs], rice with rabbit, gazpacho tibero

[from Tibi, with rabbit and partridge, tomatoes and

mushrooms], llegum amb penques [pulses and

vegetables], caragols [snails], minchos [unleavened

bread with wheat and corn flour], coca de sardina and

coca de cebolla [sardine and onion tarts]. Without

forgetting the putxero amb tarongetes [stew and

dumplings], and potaje [thick broth of vegetables and

pulses]. On the coast we shall taste all kinds of rice

dishes, especially with fish, like caldero [rice in fish

broth] and arròs a banda - rice with good fish and

seafood. Neither can we forget the oranges, grapefruits,

mandarins and nisperos [loquats or Japanese medlar],

which colour the costal landscapes on the fruit trees.

Among the sweets that stand out are: torrat ensucrat

[sugared pulses], brazo gitano [like a very fat Swiss roll],

dulces sequillos [dry almond biscuits] and peladillas de

l’Alcoià [sugared almonds]. A special mention is

deserved by the chocolate in Vila Joiosa. With regard to

the fiestas, the splendour of the Moors and Christians is

Altea 38º 35' 92'' N 0º 3' 16'' W

- 153152


a reference that cannot be missed on the festive

calendar.

The festivities of Sant Antoni, in January; the countless

romerías [local pilgrimages and religious festivals] to the

sanctuaries and hermitages in the area; carnivals

[marking the start of Lent] in February; the feast days of

the patron saints of every town and city; Holy Week; the

Hogueras de Sant Joan [bonfires of St John] in June…

Of all the towns and cities through which the route

passes, the celebrations of Benifallim stand out: on the

first Sunday in September the festival of Pan Bendito

[Holy Bread] is held, organised by the unmarried men,

in which a procession of unmarried girls carry loaves of

bread on their heads until they reach the church; in

addition, other noteworthy fiestas are the Nit de l’Olla

[marking the start of the Moors and Christians

festivities] in Benidorm in August; dances in honour of

Sant Jaume, held on the 25th July and the Jesuset, on

24th December, in Callosa d’en Sarrià; the landing of the

Moor at the end of July or the maritime procession in

honour of Mare de Déu del Carme in La Vila Joiosa; or

the spectacular music and fireworks display at the

castle of l’Olla in Altea in August.

With regard to handicrafts in the area of the route, bags

and shopping baskets are made from palm leaves, as

well as rope soled shoes from esparto or needle-grass,

blankets, saddlebags, cardboard and glass boxes,

crocheted and woollen shawls and hair adornments.

All this without forgetting the embroidery and

needlework, or the tanned sheepskin covered balls for

Valencian pelota, and glass objects.

A mention apart is deserved by the craft displays held

regularly at Altea.

Recommended time of yearAny time of year is good for visiting, although during

spring and autumn is best. In summer the hours

around midday must be avoided.

In autumn the fields of loquat trees colour the

countryside with beautiful shades. The almond

blossom between January and February, and cherry

blossom at the beginning of March are also good

times of year to undertake this route.

Public transportThe RENFE regional trains stop at Alcoy station for the

start of the route. For the return, at Vila Joiosa we can

take the narrow gauge railway of the FGV (Ferrocarriles

de la Generalitat). Bicycles are transported free of

charge on the aforementioned transport services.

RecommendationsIn the case of wishing to travel the route just as it is set

out in the guide, by bike or on foot, a word of warning: a

mountain bike is best, or as a minimum, the hybrid type.

We do not come across many public waterspouts to

quench thirst and refresh oneself away from the urban

centres, so we should fill up with water whenever we get

the chance.

Both the early hours of the day and at dusk are the times

of day with the best light and most agreeable

temperature. The trips on foot or by bike that are

proposed for the sierras of Aitana, Bèrnia and Gelada

demand a minimum state of fitness. If anyone wants to


Altea 38º 35' 3'' N 0º 3' 21'' W

Altea 38º 35' 91'' N 0º 3' 03'' W


- 155154

make use of the car, on the tracks where it is possible to

drive motor vehicles, the main track should never be left,

as it is much better and more respectful to the

environment.

In order to get to know each area of nature we propose

in greater detail, it is recommended that you leave the

car parked somewhere safe and secure and undertake

trips on foot.

RECOMMENDED MAPS TO FOLLOW THE ROUTE CORRECTLY:

National Geographic Institute: Scale 1:25,000, sheet numbers: 821-III and IV; 847-I, II and IV; 822- III; and 848-I and III.Further information: www.comunitatvalenciana.comInformation on regional and local trains: Renfe 902 24 02 02. www.renfe.es

TOURIST INFO OFFICES FOR THE ROUTE:

Tourist Info AlcoyC/ Sant Llorenç, 2 03801 AlcoyTel. 965 53 71 55 Fax 965 53 71 [email protected]

Tourist Info AlteaC/ Sant Pere, 9 03590 AlteaTel. 965 84 41 14 Fax 965 84 42 [email protected]

Tourist Info Benidorm-AutobusesAv. Comunidad Europea, s/n 03502 BenidormTel. 965 85 96 [email protected]

Tourist Info Benidorm-CentroAv. Martínez Alejos 16 03501BenidormTel. 965 85 13 11 Fax 965 86 36 [email protected]

Tourist Info Benidorm-EuropaAv. Europa, s/n (crossing C/ Ibiza)03503 BenidormTel. 965 86 00 95 [email protected]

Tourist Info Benidorm-Rincón L’OixAv. Derramador, s/n(intersection C/ Gerona)03503 BenidormTel. 966 80 59 14Fax 965 86 36 25 [email protected]

Tourist Info Callosa d’En SarriàC/ Sant Antoni, 2 03510 Callosa d`En SarriàTel. 965 88 01 53 Fax 965 88 01 [email protected]

Tourist Info Castell de GuadalestAv. Alicante, s/n.03517 El Castell de GuadalestTel. 965 88 52 98 Fax 965 88 53 [email protected]

Tourist Info L’Alfàs del PiC/ Federico García Lorca, 11(Town Hall ground floor) 03580 L'Alfàs del PiTel. 965 88 89 05 Fax 965 88 71 [email protected]

Tourist Info L’Alfàs del Pi-PlayaPaseo de las Estrellas., Platjade l’Albir, 23 03581 L'Alfàs del PiTel. 966 86 70 22 Fax 965 86 70 [email protected]

Tourist Info La NuciaAv. Marina Baixa, 1 - Parquede la Font de la Favara 03094 La NuciaTel. 966 89 56 [email protected]

Tourist Info La Vila JoiosaAv. País Valenciá, 10 bjo. 03570 La Vila JoiosaTel. 966 85 13 71 Fax 966 85 29 [email protected]

Tourist Info La Vila Joiosa-La CalaAv. de los marineros, s/n 03570 La Vila JoiosaTel. 965 85 10 45 Fax 965 85 10 [email protected]

Tourist Info Polop de LaMarinaAv. Sagibarba, 15. 03520 PolopTel. 966 89 60 72 Fax 966 89 54 [email protected]


Documents

Route 14 From Alcoy to La Vila Joiosa