Route 3: Rivers Guadalest and Algar
Descending from the highest elevations of the province towards the coast, you will appreciate the contrast of the environments.
The itinerary, with spectacular panoramic views and a route of about 58 km, crosses the municipalities of Confrides, Benifato, Beniardá, Benimantell, Castell de Guadalest. against the backdrop of the Guadalest river valley and its reservoir, the castle of Guadalest at the top of the rocky massif and the Serrella, Aixortá and Bernia mountain ranges.
Landscapes that contrast, from the high mountains of Alicante, accustomed to the cold and snow in the winter season, to the landscapes of coast and beach.This contrast is also reflected in other aspects such as flora, fauna, agriculture…. The agricultural activity during the tour, passes from an environment of almond trees and dryland crops to one of loquat and citrus fruits, in the lowest stretch of the rivers Guadalest and Algar.
Water in the route
The Guadalest River is a short river, some 16 km long, which runs entirely over Alicante and rises in the port of Confrides between the mountain ranges of Aitana and Serrella. It is characterized by a very irregular flow, conditioned by abundant rains in autumn and spring, and by a dry summer. These irregularities led to the construction of the Guadalest reservoir, in order to control its flow in order to improve and expand the irrigated areas.
Route 3
Download the chapter about this route.
Itinerario
Download only the itinerary.
Map
Download only the PDF map.
Featured Enclaves
1. Font del Arbre
Located in the municipality of Confrides, about 3 km from its population centre, in a place known as Casas de Aitana. Your environment is conditioned with a recreational area, tables and barbecue.
To reach this enclave we will travel through remote places where there is hardly any reflection of human activity, among coarse limestone massifs. It will be hard to believe that we are in the geographical limits of the tourist and maritime province of Alicante.
2. Font de Toni
This fountain rises on the slopes of the Barranco de Machelis ravine, and also has a conditioned recreation area.
Adjustable and seductive enclave. Upstream from this place is the Machelis spring which gives its name to the ravine and is the main point of reference for the following activities.
3. Font de Mela
The spring or Font de Mela, located in Barranco de Monesillo or Mela, has been supplying the inhabitants of the village of El Abdet since time immemorial.
The spring waters have their origin in the aquifer of Mela, formed by the permeable materials of the mountain.
4. Font de Partegat
La Font de Partegat is located in the municipality of Benifato, about 3 km south of its population centre. The surroundings of the point of emergence have been conditioned with a recreational and rest area, with tables and barbecues, which make this remote place worthy of enjoying a family mountain day.
The use given to its waters, apart from the domestic one, is for irrigation of nearby cultivated areas.
5. Font del Molí
La Font del Molí is located in the municipality of Benimantell, some 1,200 metres south of its population centre. It is born at the foot of a escarpment, in the place known as Font del Molí or Molí de Ondara.
This collection consists of a gallery about 10 m long, closed to the public in the building site, from where a small flow of water is diverted to the pipe as a fountain that is located a few meters from the house.
6. Font de Ondarella
La Font de Ondarella está ubicada en el municipio de Benimantell, a unos 500 metros al sur del núcleo urbano de Castell de Guadalest.
Está escondida en un rincón rural de olivos, rodeada por unos depósitos de agua que abastecen a este último municipio.
7. Embalse de Guadalest
Con el fin de regular el cauce fluvial del río Guadalest y poder utilizar sus aguas para uso agrícola y doméstico, se construyó la presa que da lugar a este embalse de 13 hm3 de capacidad.
8. Fonts del Algar
Se denomina Fonts del Algar a un conjunto de manantiales, presas, azudes, tollos y saltos de agua, existentes a lo largo de la garganta del Algar o el desfiladero en la partida de Sacos.
Esta zona ha sido perfectamente acondicionada con un circuito turístico, área recreativa y baño, siendo uno de los puntos turísticos más visitados en la geografía alicantina.
9. Fuente Los Chorros
Fuente de especial belleza tras episodios de lluvia, ubicada en el municipio de Bolulla, en cuyo entorno se ha creado un área recreativa acondicionada con mesas y barbacoa.
Es muy recomendable visitar este increíble rincón tras episodios de lluvia en los que se crea una auténtica cortina de agua que desborda sobre la balsa.
Excursiones
E1. Font de Mela
El manantial o Font de Mela está abasteciendo a los habitantes de la pedanía del Abdet desde tiempos inmemoriales. No solo ha tenido un uso doméstico, sino que durante muchos años también se ha utilizado para moler todo tipo de grano en tres antiguos molinos cuyas ruinas todavía están presentes hoy en día.
Este corto paseo transita entre almendros, en tierras de montaña, tal y como se aprecia en la fotografía, finalizando en la surgencia de la Font de Mela.
E2. Font de Partegat a Font Forata
Entre frutales de sierra, pedregales y genistas y con la compañía de la espectacular panorámica del valle de Guadalest, ascendemos hasta alcanzar las surgencias situadas a mayor cota de toda la provincia de Alicante.
E3. Embalse de Guadalest
En esta excursión de aproximadamente 9 km, además de las vistas de la amplitud del agua que ofrece el embalse, de 13 hm3 de capacidad y 67,5 ha de superficie, se pueden observar las sierras de Serrella y Aixortá y el castillo de Guadalest.
menu vol 2
