Introduction

The Benicadell is the most emblematic sierra for the “Valldalbaidins” (inhabitants from the region of “La Vall d’Albaida”), an obligatory visit when you are in this region. This mountain, the highest of the region, is 1104 meters above the sea level and is a meeting point with a natural space of outstanding beauty.

This sierra has always been the habitat for human groups who found a shelter in its caves and abundant hunting. The Benicadell offers us magnificent views and important natural attractions. At the same time, if we walk through the sierra and through the towns around it, we can find many monuments, such as the cellars to store the snow; different constructions from Roman and Arab times for the collection and canalization of waters; archaeological sites; watchtowers; castles; palaces; ancestral homes; fountains; caves; and a very friendly people who make us feel at home.

In the shade of this big mountain there is a series of small villages which have many attractions.

Atzeneta d’Albaida, Carrícola, Otos, Beniatjar, Ràfol de Salem, Salem and Castelló de Rugat are the villages we can visit in our route, which let us know some of the best conserved towns of “La Vall d’Albaida” region, regarding the architecture.

The aim of this route is to announce the wealth of monuments as well as the historical-artistic and ethnographic heritage of the towns which are around the Benicadell. Most of these places and resources are out of our route because of distance, thematic and time reasons. Thus, we encourage you to know these attractions located in the municipal areas of these villages. At the same time, we recommend you to read the “Guía comarcal de la Vall d’Albaida; Paisajes, Cultura y Medio Ambiente”: a guide about the landscapes, culture and environment of our region, published by the Mancomunitat, whose author is Paco Tortosa.