Benicadell
PR-V 213: Beniatjar - El Ràfol de Salem - Alto del Benicadell
This footpath goes to the northeast part of La Vall d'Albaida. In this area the Benicadell is the highest reference point and it can be seen from anywhere. It is without doubt an obligatory visit. The Benicadell Sierra is 25 kilometres in length and a mountain range with a well-defined structure and geographical demarcation. This is one of the most elegant mountains of the entire Valencian region and is located between the valleys of Albaida and el Comtat. Its peak (1105 metres above sea level) stands out from the rest of the mountain range. The profile of the mountain has conditioned weather and vegetation of both slopes: in the sunniest part the vegetation is scarce, whilst in the shadiest slope it is rich and vigorous.
The
name of the sierra comes from its peak, whose toponymic origin derives
from “Penya Cadiella”, just the way it was called by the
Arabs. There is a well to store snow (in good state of preservation)
next to the peak.
Our route starts from the Forest House “les Planisses”, where you can arrive through a track with any kind of vehicle. This footpath is organized in the following way:
The main part of the footpath is a circular path which covers the surrounding area of the Benicadell. From here you have four different routes.
PR-V 213: Benicadell Circular Route
Forest House “les Planisses” - Forest trail to Beniatjar – connection PR-V 213.4 “el portet” - Path of “les Fontetes” - Path of “el racó de Mingo” - “Les Fontetes” (connection PR-V 213.2 to “les Planisses” and PR-V 213.1 Path to Beniatjar) – Casa Pecnola – Forest trail (Font Freda-Planisses) – Connection with PR-V 213.3 (ascent to the Benicadell) – Forest trail – Forest house “les Planisses”.
PR-V 213.1: Paths of the Benicadell (footpath from Beniatjar to “les Fontetes”)
Beniatjar – Ravine and path to “les Fontetes” - Recreational area and fountain of “les Fontetes” - Connection with the forest house of “les Planisses” in 7 minutes (PR-V 213.2)
PR-V 213.2: Natural spaces and fountains of the Benicadell
Recreational area “les Fontetes” (connection with PR-V 213.1 and PR-V 213) – Forest house of “les Planisses”.
PR-V 213.3: Alto del Benicadell
Ascent to the Benicadell summit. If you follow this path you can see the nevera of the Benicadell, a well which was used to store snow in the past.
Forest trail of “les Planisses” - Umbría del Benicadell (shady spot) – Snow well of the Benicadell – path of ascent to the Alto del Benicadell (summit).
PR-V 213.4: from Ràfol de Salem to the Benicadell mountain
Ràfol de Salem – San Blas' Chapel - “El portet” (crossroads with a forest trail) – Path throughout the umbría (shady spot) and pine forest of the Benicadell (connection with PR-V 213, which leads us to “les Planisses” and “les Fontetes”).
Forest recreational facilities
Refuges:- Casa El Clau (Albaida)
- Refuge D. Bosco (Albaida)
- Font d'Elca (Salem)
- Les Fontetes (Beniatjar)
- Les Planisses (Beniatjar)
- Font d'Elca(Salem)
- La Font Freda (Bèlgida)
