La Barraca d’Aigües Vives: railway line, monastery route and orange groves

La Barraca d’Aigües Vives combines traces of a former railway landscape with the Aguas Vivas Valley and historic monastic sites in the surrounding area. This creates a destination where nature, regional history and different types of excursions come together—suited to planning a trip that balances cultural interests, physical activity and a more tranquil landscape experience.

Following the Former Railway Line

The Camino Natural de l’Antic Trenet runs along Carrer de l’Estació to the former La Barraca d’Aigües Vives railway station. From the station, the Camino Natural runs parallel to the GR-236, the Monastery Route. A 5.7-kilometre section of the Camino Natural follows the route of the former railway line that connected Carcaixent with Dénia. Its historic use can still be experienced in concrete terms: the area around the former station has been converted into a park, and the only surviving building now serves as a sociocultural centre. A former railway keeper’s hut can also be seen nearby.

The landscape also shapes the character of a stay. On the broad plain near La Barraca d’Aigües Vives, orange groves define the scenery, while the Aguas Vivas Valley is bounded by the Sierra de las Agujas. Open spaces and a clearly defined mountain landscape thus meet here, without reducing the town to a single type of experience.

Monasteries, Architectural History and Regional Tradition

In the area around La Barraca d’Aigües Vives, Carcaixent is home to the Real Monasterio de Santa María de Aguas Vivas. Its original beginnings date back to the 13th century. The present building was constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries in the Valencian Gothic style and was designated a Bien de Interés Cultural in 2007. The surrounding area therefore offers a concrete insight into several periods of Valencian architectural and religious history.

The Monastery Route allows visitors to visit La Murta in Alcira, Aguas Vivas in Carcaixent, Santa María de la Valldigna in Simat, Sant Jeroni de Cotalba in Alfauir and Corpus Christi in Llutxent. Another living tradition is the annual pilgrimage in mid-October, which reenacts the discovery of the Virgin of Aguas Vivas by a farmer in 1250.

Practical Information for Your Stay

The current transport situation for the destination is clear: La Barraca d’Aigües Vives is currently accessible only via the CV-50 road. This information is particularly relevant when choosing your accommodation base according to mobility and excursion plans. For orientation in the local area, AMA Vall d’Aigües Vives publishes environmental information brochures and tracks for walking routes. The Caminos Naturales and Vías Verdes passport also lists the Ajuntament de la Barraca d’Aigües Vives as a stamping point.

Special forms of accommodation are also part of the destination’s character. The Casa de Espiritualidad San Juan de Ribera in La Barraca d’Aigües Vives offers spiritual retreats at weekends or for five days during Advent and Lent. Accommodation for days of retreat or spiritual exercises is possible upon request with the approval of the parish priest or spiritual adviser. La Galiana Golf is also located nearby; it is open daily to all players and offers a golf school as well as introductory courses for children of all ages. After passing through La Barraca d’Aigües Vives, La Galiana Golf is signposted one kilometre further on the right.

More Destinations for Orientation

For further trip planning, you can also consider Jalance, Paterna, La Portera, Serra, Real De Montroi, Quart de Poblet, Playa and Aielo de Malferit.

For the higher-level travel overview: Valencia.