When choosing La Vall De Laguar for hiking, you can choose between a circular route through terraced landscapes, trails along ridges and the technically demanding crossing of the Barranc de l’Infern. In Benimaurell, a detailed description of a church building and the settlement’s history add to the picture. Planning therefore involves more than just trail distances: technical requirements and access to individual places also matter.
Hiking among terraces, ridges and ravines
The Vuelta a la Llacuna is an 8 km circular route through terraced farmland, past water sources and across rocky terrain and scrubland. From Benimaurell, the route climbs to the ridge of the Serra del PenyĂł and returns to Benimaurell via the CamĂ de Baix. Both the circular route and its landscape features are clearly outlined.
The PR-CV 181 La Volta a la Llacuna runs from Benimaurell via the Senda de l’Ombria to the Coll de la Garga, then along the ridge of the Cavall Verd. The PR-CV 181 Fleix–Benimaurell–Cresta del Cavall Verd is listed as 7.57 km long, with 395 m of positive elevation gain and a duration of 3 hours and 15 minutes; its technical difficulty level is high. Check trail conditions before setting off. The information on difficulty and duration can help you avoid choosing this route based on distance alone.
In the Barranc de l’Infern, distinctive zigzag mule tracks with steps overcome the major elevation differences between Fleix and Benimaurell. The 9 km crossing of the Barranc includes jumps, waterfalls and pools. It requires agility, caving skills and climbing equipment. Suitable footwear, plenty of water and provisions are recommended for this hike. The ravine is therefore not a regular walk: its stated requirements should be taken into account when choosing the route.
There is also a specific route for a cycling circuit through the valleys of the Marina Alta: it leads to the Font de Benimaurell and then into the village. Before continuing to the Coll de Garga, cyclists are warned of a very steep final climb and advised to dismount. This section is an important difference to bear in mind when planning a cycling trip rather than a hike. The Font d’Olbis recreation area lies at the end of the PR-CV 147, before the route continues towards Benimaurell.
Benimaurell: church architecture and history
The Iglesia Parroquial Santos Cosme y Damián parish church in Benimaurell has a rectangular, single-nave layout with side chapels. All its structural elements date from the 18th century and follow the Mediterranean model. The described design makes the church a specific stop for anyone interested in learning about the village’s architectural history as well as its trails.
Benimaurell’s history includes two dates more than three centuries apart. On 16 August 1248, Jaume I granted houses and plots in the AlquerĂa Benimaurell in the Vall de Laguar to 20 settlers. On 14 June 1611, a settlement charter was granted for Campell, Alfeig and Benimaurell within the Vall de Laguar seigneury. More than three centuries separate the 13th-century land grant and the 17th-century charter.
Visitor information and festival dates
From Benimaurell, a few metres along the path towards the mountains will bring you to the Cova del TamborĂ, also known as La Cambreta de les Buixes. Prehistoric tools and human and animal remains have been found there. The cave is currently closed to visitors because of the risk of collapse and unstable conditions; check local access information again before visiting.
The final days of Benimaurell’s patron saint festivities include the release of young bulls in the village square and a Toro embolado. If you would like to include these festivities in your trip, check the current dates in advance. This makes it possible to tailor your stay to a particular interest: a route with a clearly described course, a technically demanding ravine crossing, or Benimaurell’s architecture and history.
Discover more destinations: Xinorlet, Polop, Benimassot, Tibi, Parcent, AlcalalĂ, Ondara, Albatera
For the main travel overview: Alicante.
