Route 2: Seafront Caves
We will become corsairs in search of treasures, in this case, landscape scenic and didactic.
This route takes us from one cave by the sea to another, from Cova de l’ Aigua Dolça in Dénia to Cova del Moraig in Benitatxell. It is not a metaphor, since in this route we must use our imagination to understand the secrets it holds, to understand why the waters of a river disappear or how they circulate through groundwater caves to the feet of spectacular cliffs.
Route of 59.5 km that starts in Dénia and ends at Cova del Moraig (Benitatxell). It is recommended to be done in good weather to enjoy a bath in the crystal clear waters of the sea. Caves formed by the action of the waves will be seen, in addition to the Moraig fault and the Gorgos river.
On this route return trips have been included corresponding to:
- Camino de Les Rotes: (CV-7340): 5 km (100% car).
- Cabo San Antonio: 6,8 km (100% car).
En el recorrido total no se han incluido los trayectos (ida y vuelta) siguientes:
- Cova de l’Aigua Dolça: 400 m (100% on foot; 20 min).
- Cova Tallada: 2,4 km (100% on foot; 1,2 h).
- Río Gorgos en Xaló: 1 km (recommended on foot; 45 min).
Highlighted Places of Hydrogeological Interest
The Gorgos River and Groundwater
Between the towns of Llíber and Gata de Gorgos there is a deep valley naturally excavated in the rock of about 8 km long by which the Gorgos river bed meanders.
It is one of the shallow courses of the Júcar District that flows directly into the sea.
In this valley, apparently without special interest, one can observe, however, in a very clear way, an example of what is called in the scientific literature as influent river or loser, since its waters infiltrate due to the permeable character of the bed and the ground water level (phreatic or piezometric surface) is below the base of the bed.
The Moraig cave
This submarine spring known as The Moraig Cave and the visitable Cova dels Arcs, are located in a place of exceptional landscape and tourist attraction, next to a hidden cove of clean and transparent waters, flanked by imposing rocky cliffs.
Access to the sea from the Moraig Cave waters to the emergency point is relatively complicated, as it is a cave open to the sea where the swell can impede access and where the ground is often wet and slippery.
The submarine surge is located on the seabed and to have a direct view of the cavity entrance requires diving practice for very experienced divers.
Other Places of Hydrological Interest
The Toix Morro sinkhole
Sometimes surprising and difficult to interpret facts occur in nature that can only be explained in an acceptable way after years of research.
One of these exceptional events takes place in the so-called Morro de Toix, an impressive limestone promontory that goes into the sea about 2 km south of the town of Calpe.
Just at the base of the cliff and about 8 m below the surface, a 1.5 m diameter gallery opens on the sea floor that penetrates inland and acts as a seawater sinkhole most of the time, so that seawater enters the aquifer and not the other way around, as would normally be the case.
menu vol 2
