Great time!!

Ecological path for the coast.This trail is an absolute must for anyone visiting Benissa. Enjoy the breeze and warmth of the Benissa coast as you walk along this eco-footpath Benissa has a 4km long rocky coastline with cliffs and small coves surrounded by pine trees. An eco-trail runs along the coastline and can be enjoyed throughout the year thanks to the mild climate. This trail is an absolute must for anyone visiting Benissa. It follows nearly the entire coastline, and it is fitted with information panels that describe aspects of local history and culture, as well as the local fauna and its botanical and geological treasures. You can follow the entire trail or simply take a walk down one of its environmental routes on your way to a cove. Starting point: Benissa Beach Tourist Info - Aula de la Mar | 38°39'49.2"N 0°05'15.0"E Lenght: 45’-1 h | Distance: 3,5 km | Difficulty level: slow Benissa beach Tourist Info - Les Bassetes Nautical Club. 0.6 kms By following this trail, you will discover parts of our natural and cultural heritage, such as the remains of a former aeolianite quarry. Commonly known as “dune limestone”, this rock was used to erect buildings such as the Council Hall (16th c.). There is an environmental micro-reserve which boasts unique botanical species, such as Helianthemum caput felis and Thymbra capitata. With regards to services, you will find the Les Bassetes Nautical Club, a sailing school, a diving school and two restaurants there. Benissa beach Tourist Info- Advocat Cove. 2.9 kms The first stop on the trail is La Fustera beach, a charming and family-friendly beach whose limpid waters allow you to see the lush Neptune grass on the sea floor. The refreshment stand is open year-round. The trail then continues until Pinets Cove, a small and untamed natural locale. It features pebbles and large, flat rocks. During the summer, you can go on an outing by walking and swimming (expand info) along the rocks until you reach the "Mar Morta i Roques Negres", a stunning landscape with highly interesting geological features. Don’t forget to wear sandals! From this point onwards, the next section in the trail continues inland until it reaches the next cove. The trail is marked with blue and white trail signs. Start from Pinets street going towards La Marina avenue along the only paved section and continue along the right, following a path along the Fanadix green area, a pine grove fitted with a picnic area (public bathrooms, tables, a children’s park and an outdoor gym). Following the signs, the trail continues into an undeveloped area, crossing the La Llobella ravine until reaching Camamirla street, which provides access to La Lobella Cove. Once there, turn rightwards to visit La Lobella Cove and, once you are done, return to the same point to continue towards L’Advocat Cove. La Llobella Cove has a pebble beach, and the fact that it is out of the way makes it a very calm location suitable for underwater sports, whereas L’Advocat Cove features a small breakwater that shields it from the waves, a small, sandy beach and a wonderful underwater environment. It also has a refreshment stall in the summer. From here, the trail continues northwards through an area with spectacular seaside cliffs which are a beautiful natural balcony towards the Mediterranean. The trail ends at the Outdoor Gym, with scenic views and where you can work out using the available exercise machines. There is a green area nearby which hosts a number of typical Mediterranean species. There is currently no connection with the last cove, Baladrar, which also has a pebble beach and abundant vegetation in the rocky outcroppings that surround it as it descends towards the sea. It was originally the mouth of the "barranc dels Sesters" and a natural estuary that divides it into Baladrar Cove proper and la Goleta. Did you know about the importance of Neptune grass? Along the path you will see dark spots in the sea. These are Neptune grass prairies; this seagrass is endemic to the Mediterranean sea and is a protected species, as it acts as a refuge for many marine species that feed, breed and take shelter in these plains. Furthermore, these plants filter and oxygenate the water, and their presence points towards its good quality. It plays a vital role. What does it look like? It has long, green leaves, a stem, roots, yellow flowers and fruits. Its flowers are renewed in Autumn and, during the winter, it renews its leaves; the waves then drag fallen leaves to the shore, where they form accumulations that protecet the sand from the rough weather, allowing plants to regenerate naturally. For this reason, it is very important not to remove these accumulations until the beginning of the new season, as they perform a vital role in a very natural way.

The Route of the Castles of the Vinalopó is a historical and cultural itinerary of Spain1 2 3 by some of the most representative fortresses in the province of Alicante, most of them located in the Vinalopó Valley, in the Valencian Community. The route, which is located in the Vinalopó Valley, in the interior of the province of Alicante, reveals a series of castles and fortresses that protected them during the Middle Ages, as these populations, at some point in their history, border of the Crown of Aragon with the Crown of Castile. The Route has around 75 kilometers of route through nine different municipalities. It is located in one of the regions of the Valencian Community and Spain with the highest concentration of castles, which are found in various locations such as Villena, Biar, Bañeres, Castalla, Sax, Elda, Petrel, Monóvar or Novelda. The Vinalopó River is dotted with castles and fortifications. They are inheritance of the passage of the Arabs for their history. The Arab culture first, and then the Christian culture, left in these lands a heritage of undoubted architectural value. The Route of the Castles of the Vinalopó has the following itinerary, in order: Castle of the Watchtower, in Villena. Castillo de Bañeres, in Bañeres. Castle of Biar, in Biar. Castle of La Mola, in Novelda. Castle of Elda, in Elda. Palace of Altamira, in Elche. Castle of Castalla, in Castalla. Castle of Sax, in Sax. Castle of Monóvar, in Monóvar Castle of Petrel, in Petrel. Castle of the River, in Aspe. The Route step by step Villena: The largest of the castles on the route, the Atalaya Castle dates from the 11th or 12th century, it is of Almohad construction and dominates the city of Villena. It controlled the old border line between Castile and the Kingdom of Aragon, dominating the surrounding valleys. It is a key building in important episodes of the medieval history and throughout the warlike confrontations of the history of Spain. It was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931. From its battlements you can see the remains of the Villenense Castillo de Salvatierra. Bañeres: The Castillo de Bañeres is a fortress of Almohad origin built in the XIII century that is located in the center of Bañeres at a height of 830 meters above sea level. Currently it also houses the Festero de Bañeres Museum (Museu Fester). Biar: The Castle of Biar rises on a hill from which it dominates the town of Biar and dates from the 12th century. It gained importance at the time of Jaime I, in what remains as a border castle according to the Treaty of Almizra. In its construction the Almohad ribbed vault was used, which, together with those of the neighboring castle of the Atalaya de Vilena, are some of the oldest in Spain, in addition to the only ones used in a military building throughout the Iberian Peninsula. Novelda: The Castle of La Mola is of Almohad origin, and was built in the 12th century on an old Roman fortification. It stands next to the Sanctuary of Santa María Magdalena, about 4 kilometers from Novelda. Its tower is one of the first examples of civic-military building in the Valencian Community. Elda: The Castle of Elda is a fortress located on a small hill next to the river, built by the Almohads between 1172 and 1243, and which protected the community that would make up the Islamic Elda. The castle has been partially restored. Elche: The Palace of Altamira or Alcázar de la Señoría is located on the banks of the Vinalopó River, in the center of Elche. It was built at the end of the 15th century by the noble Gutierre de Cárdenas. However, it is likely that it was built on a previous work of the twelfth or thirteenth century, which would be part of the defenses of the Almohad walled town. It is currently restored and in good condition and houses the Archaeological and History Museum of Elche. Castalla: Castillo de Castalla is a fortress of Islamic origin built in the 11th century with later Christian reforms from the 14th to the 16th centuries. It is located on a hill that dominates the population and the course of the Verde River. Its state of conservation is good. Sax: The Castle of Sax rises to 524 msnm on a steep crag that dominates Sax and great part of the valley of the Vinalopó between Elda and Villena. The origin of the current fortress is Andalusian, probably Almohad. It was part of the defensive line of fortifications of the Vinalopó Valley. It is municipal property since 1980 and is currently completely restored. Petrel: Petrel Castle is located in a mountainous elevation located in the eastern part of the town of Petrel. From here you can see the entire Vinalopó Valley. Originally from the late twelfth or early thirteenth century, it is a Muslim castle. It is polygonal, it is crenellated and its interior is covered by an embankment. In its tower of the homage exhibitions are realized and it is Historical-Artistic Set of National Interest from 1983.

It is a family route with the starting point located in Plaça Jaume I. Outside the municipality you will find other elements of great historical and heritage value such as the llavador del pou d'avall, the Hermitage of Santa Ana, the riurau of uncle Joan de Vallesa, the Pont del Quisi and the Molí del Quisi. Circular path of medium difficulty. The Quisi mill is considered one of the most important hydraulic works in the area. Built in the fifteenth century and used until 1930, partially excavated in the slope of the land that supports the area where the water is dammed, taking advantage of the great unevenness to obtain pressure for the movement of the turbines.

To be able to do the Via Ferratas, it is necessary to request authorization on this website: https://turismovillena.com/portfolio/vias-ferratas/ The routes combine vertical routes with horizontal crossings. They are equipped with staples, parabolts, rings, handrails, chains, cables and suspension bridges. In addition, it is possible to access them by rappelling (descent down the ropes) if you reach the top of the Sierra de la Villa by car. The orientation of these roads is to the south, so they are ideal to enjoy in autumn, winter and spring. In summer we suggest doing them at night.