Steep, labyrinthine streets shape Benimantell’s appearance; its shady lanes are reminiscent of a medieval street layout. Buildings, archaeological remains and local natural landmarks give the village its varied character. Benimantell also offers practical information for planning: hiking trails vary in length and estimated walking time, while mountain bike routes cover different courses.
Village History and Local Landmarks
The parish church of Benimantell is dedicated to Saint Vincent the Martyr and is architecturally noteworthy. Its square bell tower consists of three sections and has a hexagonal spire. Religious images can also be found on ceramic panels in the streets. The village landscape thus combines a distinctive church building with smaller ceramic motifs.
Extensive remains have been preserved at Castellet de Benimantell: walls, the main tower, several smaller defensive towers and the remains of an Islamic cistern. It supplied the fortress with water. These individual features give a tangible impression of what remains of the complex, though not all the surviving parts served the same purpose.
The “Pi Ver,” a monumental pine tree, is also considered part of the natural and cultural heritage. It is a symbol for the local population and is regarded as a witness to the village’s history. A so-called “Clot de la neu” can also be visited near the Font del MolĂ. The municipality also includes part of the Embalse de Guadalest: the reservoir waters cover parts of Benimantell.
Hiking and Climbing
The Sender de la Serra starts and ends in Benimantell. This partly circular hiking trail is well signposted and approximately 12 kilometres long; it takes about three hours to walk. The PR-CV 9 is longer, at 16.30 kilometres, with an estimated walking time of four hours and 40 minutes. This gives you a clear comparison of the time required, without treating the two routes as equivalent based on length alone.
The PR-CV 9 runs alongside part of the southern slope of the Aitana, parallel to the Arc ravine, climbs to the Comptador Pass and then descends to Benimantell. It ends where it joins the CV-70 road in the village. Several climbing areas in Benimantell offer routes for beginners as well as long climbs; their offerings cater to all ability levels and age groups.
Mountain Bike Routes and Trip Planning
There are different mountain bike routes to choose from. The “Vuelta a los pueblos del Valle” is a circular route that starts in Benimantell and follows alternative roads to the main road, passing through all the other villages in the Guadalest Valley. Another route connects Benimantell with Altea, passes the reservoir and follows the course of the Guadalest River. This route is rated moderate and is 22 kilometres long; this distance is for the one-way journey.
Olleta de Blat is also part of the valley’s culinary character. The dish is considered a traditional staple in the villages of the Guadalest Valley. It takes centre stage during the nine-day Semana Gastronómica de la “Olleta de Blat”: Benimantell’s restaurants offer menus featuring traditional recipes and other specialities. On Saturday, the first day of the gastronomic week, the “Festa de l'Olleta de Blat” takes place in the Plaza Mayor, where the village’s restaurants offer a tasting of the dish.
For getting there, the road connection via the CV-70 is relevant; it connects to the AP-7. This makes it possible to combine cultural discoveries in the village with a hike, a mountain bike route or a culinary highlight. Which option takes priority depends on whether you would rather spend your time exploring the village’s details, tackling a longer route or enjoying the culinary programme.
Discover more destinations: Orba, Abdet, Gaianes, Pego, Ondara, Castalla, El Chaparral, Lorcha.
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