Paseo ecológico de Benissa

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.