Orxeta can be explored through two clearly distinct interests: walks through a fertile river valley and a cultural heritage that ranges from rock art to buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. The town lies by the Sella River, close to striking mountains. When planning your trip, it is worth considering both: trails reveal different aspects of the landscape, while rock art, the church and historic paths showcase the area’s history in different ways.

Valley, Gorge and Hiking Trails

The fertile valley along the Sella and the nearby mountains form the landscape setting. The L’Estret Gorge is considered a habitat for large birds of prey and numerous endemic plant species. The natural landscape thus encompasses both the river scenery and a distinct gorge environment. Other scenic destinations include the Amadorio Reservoir, which can be reached from Orxeta on walks along old drovers’ roads.

One specifically named hiking trail is the PR-CV 353. It can be accessed via the CV-770 road between Villajoyosa and Sella. Public parking is available at the entrance to Orxeta, next to Restaurante Paco; check the parking situation before setting out. The Rutas Verdes project is a separate initiative: it proposes a network of routes for pedestrians and cyclists that would run entirely along traditional paths and drovers’ roads.

Rock Art and Architectural History

Orxeta has two rock-shelter sites with post-Palaeolithic depictions. Their dating to the 4th to 3rd millennium BC is provisional; the depictions belong to styles known as schematic and Levantine art. These sites add to the collection of rock-art sites in the Mediterranean arc of the Iberian Peninsula. The rock art of this wider area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.

The area’s architectural history can also be understood through specific dates and features. The Ermita de Santo Tomás was built in 1665 and marks the endpoint of Orxeta’s traditional Calvary route. The Iglesia Parroquial de San Jaime Apóstol was built between 1759 and 1761, is dedicated to the Apostle James and has a neoclassical floor plan. Orxeta’s Cruz de Término consists of circular steps, a shaft and an iron cross.

Historic Routes and Events

The historic mule track Camí del Peix offers a regional perspective. It passed through eight municipalities: Alcoi, Benifallim, Orxeta, Penàguila, Relleu, Sella, La Torre de les Maçanes and La Vila Joiosa. Unlike the Calvary route, which ends at the Ermita, the Camí del Peix is defined by its route through several municipalities.

The Fiestas Patronales en Honor a Santo Tomás y San Nazario are held every year in the penultimate week of September. They begin on Thursday afternoon and end on the night of the following Monday. The programme includes, among other things, a Correfoc, a large communal barbecue, masses, processions and the ascent of Santo Tomás to the Ermita. If you would like to plan your trip around this festival week, check the dates and specific programme for the relevant year. Various editions of Orxeta’s Fira Gastronòmica have combined food and tastings with family activities, hiking excursions, competitions, music and theatre. Alongside the patron-saint festivities, these events offer different culinary and cultural facets of the town.

Discover more destinations: Els Poblets, Aigües, El Chaparral, Salinas, La Nucia, Petrer, Ondara, La Encina

For the broader travel overview: Alicante.