Alcoleja: Mountain Landscape, Local History and Waterways

Alcoleja Between Mountain Setting and History

Alcoleja lies northwest of the Sierra de Aitana at an altitude of 740 metres. This location gives the town a clear profile: mountain landscape and historic townscapes are the main features. Alcoleja’s historic centre is a place you can explore on foot. The historic town centre has Muslim origins. The parish church of San Vicente Ferrer in Alcoleja is a place of worship. Beniafé is a small group of houses belonging to Alcoleja. The Verge dels Desamparats Chapel in Beniafé is also a place of worship.

Hiking with Specific Local Points of Reference

The historic centre of Alcoleja and Beniafé are about a 20-minute walk from each other. The PR-CV 21 is a 15-kilometre-long linear hiking trail, and Alcoleja is its reference municipality. The trail begins 250 metres from Puerto de Tudons in the direction of Alcoleja. This means that the area around the town combines a short route between two specific local points of reference with a longer linear route – a difference that may play a role in planning your day. No quality checks have been carried out for the PR-CV 21 in recent years; therefore, it cannot be guaranteed that the signage and maintenance are optimal.

Water, Springs and Protected Landscapes

The PR-CV 21 is associated, among other things, with the Aitana, Serrella y Puig Campana Site of Community Importance (SCI) and the Penya de la Font Vella flora micro-reserve. Water and springs form another focal point. Toll de Cabrera is a pond fed by a waterfall on the Frainós River. The E3 Alcoleja excursion: Springs, Mills and Waterfalls leads to Salt de Silvia and also includes the Cascada del Rincón de los Enamorados and the Manantial Ull de la Font spring. In addition, the approximately 60-kilometre-long Ruta 6: Amadorio, Sella and Penáguila Rivers is a water route that passes through Alcoleja, among other places.

Festivals with a Religious Tradition

Alcoleja’s patron saint festivities take place in August in honour of Saint Vincent Ferrer and Our Lady of the Forsaken. The patron saint festivities include a large paella in the village square. The Romería de la Virgen de los Desamparados takes place on the second weekend of May and leads to the chapel in Beniafé. During this romería, women from Alcoleja carry the Virgin. When selecting a hotel or accommodation in Alcoleja, you can tailor the focus of your stay to these specific local features: townscape, hiking, water or festival traditions.

More Destinations to Consider

If you would like to explore more destinations besides Alcoleja, you can find Guadalest, Castell De Castells, Beniarrés, Relleu, Portichol, Crevillente, La Encina and La Vall D'alcalà here.

For the overarching travel overview: Alicante.