To the north of the province of Alicante, in the evocative Vall de Laguar , we find the Barranc de l’Infern, a spectacular and narrow canyon that the waters of the Riu Girona have been sculpting over thousands of years.
This tortuous gorge is the protagonist of one of the most unusual and popular hiking trails in Alicante: the PR-CV 147 short-distance trail. The fame of the excursion is deserved.
We are facing a circular route of considerable physical demand that, through fascinating landscapes, will take us to discover an outstanding cultural heritage , nestled in a natural setting of great ecological value. This is one of the best examples of the invaluable heritage of dry stone in the province of Alicante. A legacy that must be preserved.
It is possibly due to its more than 6,800 stone steps that this route is known by the nickname of The Cathedral of Hiking .
Do you dare to discover it? Let’s start!
Index of contents
Route Summary
Circular hiking route around the Barranc de l’Infern ( Barranco del Infierno in Spanish), known as “The Cathedral of Hiking” or “The Route of 6800 stone steps”. It is a route of high physical demand , but technically simple (it does not include abseiling or anything similar).
We start from the town of Fleix , one of the three that make up the municipality of Vall de Laguar , in the Marina Alta region of Alicante.
From there, and always following the PR-CV 147 trail markings, this circular excursion will take us, through zigzagging and continuous ascents and descents , to cross the spectacular Barranc de l’Infern on two occasions.
After overcoming the second “descent to hell”, a demanding final ascent will finally take us to Benimaurell , the town above. Now we only have a comfortable descent back to Fleix, ending this beautiful hiking route.
Article originally published in November 2009 in LinkAlicante, and updated in November 2019.
Data sheet
- Difficulty: Medium-High. Physically demanding course
- Circle Route
- Distance: 14km
- Slope: +800 meters
- Approximate time: 5-7 hours
- Signaling: PR-CV 147
NOTE: the hiking route described in this article has nothing to do with the sporty descent of the Barranc de l’Infern , which requires equipment, techniques and extensive experience in canyoning .
Map of Route PR-CV 147 - Barranco del Infierno
recommendations
Although in this case we are not climbing a mountain, keep in mind that it is a demanding route from a physical point of view, especially if you are not used to walking in the mountains.
- Recommended time: In principle any, except the summer, due to the heat. At the end of winter / beginning of spring, you will find it especially beautiful: in February you can see almond trees in bloom, and in March, cherry trees.
- After episodes of intense rain, it is very likely that we will not be able to cross the ravine until a few days have passed.
- Although there are two fountains along the route, it is possible that they are dry (depending on the season and/or rainfall), or that the water is not suitable for consumption.
- Equip yourself properly: mountain shoes, enough food and water, sun protection, etc.
Guided Route
If you want to do this hiking route with complete peace of mind , I invite you to hire a professional mid-mountain guide to do the Barranco del Infierno route.
From €15 / person (groups of 6 people or more), including civil liability insurance and accident insurance , so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Contact me to request more information.
Video: the Valley of Laguar
The municipality of La Vall de Laguar is made up of three population centers: Campell, Fleix and Benimaurell. This small and beautiful valley, hanging from the foothills of the Serra del Penyó, and surrounded by the Sierras de la Carrasca and del Migdia, is located in a very mountainous area of the Marina Alta region. I invite you to watch the video below to learn more:
History of the Valley of Laguar
The Vall de Laguar, and more specifically the Serra del Cavall Verd , was the scene of one of the most tragic episodes in Valencian history.
In the year 1609, the monarch Philip III decreed the definitive expulsion of the Moriscos (Muslims previously converted to Christianity). In the province of Alicante, many of them resist and rise up, forming an impromptu rebellion that ends up being cornered in the Vall de Laguar, where they are finally massacred by the professional army of Felipe III. It was a tragic genocide that occurred in the Serra del Cavall Verd .
After the expulsion of the Moors, these lands were so deserted that it was necessary to bring dozens of families from Mallorca and Catalonia to repopulate them. I quote a sentence from this article in ElPaís: Many of them (the Moors) awaited the moment of return from Africa, keeping the keys to what had been their homes .
I also recommend you take a look at the video Tierra de Moriscos , a fragment of the old Channel 9 program “Medi Ambient” that very well summarizes the facts surrounding the expulsion of the Moriscos from the Valencian lands.
Recommended Accommodations
As you have already seen, it is well worth spending a weekend in these valleys, to soak up their history, their landscapes, and their rich gastronomy . For this reason, I take the liberty of recommending some nearby accommodation:
✔️ Mardenit , adults-only hotel in Orba (8 km from Fleix)
✔️ Hotel Restaurant Casa Julia , in Parcent (10 km from Fleix)
✔️ Hotel Dénia la Sella Golf , in Dénia (24 km from Fleix)
Description of the Route and Photographs
After a long time planning the getaway to the Vall de Laguar , last Saturday we finally had the opportunity to make this circular route around the Barranco del Infierno (Barranc de l’Infern in Valencian). Seven members make up the group on this occasion, including Raúl Sáez, author of the mountain blog “Cuesta Arriba”.
As I joked with my fellow travelers, who did not know this path, if the PR-CV 147 is known as The Cathedral of Hiking , it is because in this place the “baptism” of every self-respecting hiker takes place. Jokes aside, this is an excursion that we could describe as essential in the province of Alicante.
We begin the tour in Fleix , the “middle town” of the three that make up the Vall de Laguar. We leave the car at the exit of the town, next to the municipal schools. From here, we return to the road in the direction of Benimaurell (the town above), and immediately we will see the detour to the right towards Font Grossa and the Fleix washing place, the beginning of the route.
As soon as we pass the Fleix washer, we immediately see the path that branches off to our right, with the signs for PR-CV 147. The stone steps begin, of which it is said there are more than 6,800. This time, we’re going to believe it, and we won’t keep count.
It doesn’t take long for the impressive descent to the dry bed of the River Girona to appear before us (and the no less spectacular climb up the opposite side of the ravine).
But let’s not anticipate events. Before that, we will have to pass by the head of the Barranc del Salt , several tens of meters high. We then cross El Forat de la Juvea , a hole carved into the rock that allows us to continue advancing…
The Barranc del Salt or Fleix
This first part of the PR-CV 147 trail hides a natural wonder that often goes unnoticed. After episodes of torrential rains, the Barranc del Salt (or Barranc de Fleix) gives rise to an impressive waterfall of 65 meters in total height. Next, you can see this natural spectacle in the video I have prepared…
The River Girona
We continue descending and finally arrive at the bed of the Riu Girona , which usually remains dry. Down the ravine, it is possible to visit the Isbert dam , although from this side it is less attractive.
It is time to take a breather and regroup, before starting the steepest climb of the day, in which we will have to overcome a difference in altitude of about 300 positive metres , again with stone steps .
The path is not difficult at all, and it is worth taking it easy and enjoying this fantastic place. It is not hard to imagine the old Moorish settlers, living and cultivating these lands, until their definitive expulsion in 1609.
The zigzagging climb leads us to les Juvees d’Enmig , where we take the opportunity to take a further break and comment on the day’s anecdotes. We pump water from the Pou de la Juvea to refresh ourselves.
Upon resuming the march, a small climb leads us to an esplanade next to some houses. Immediately we return to the path, to the left, which will lead us back to the bed of the ravine, in a new descent .
The descent, which crosses places that seem to have escaped from a dream, leads us to the Font de Reinós , a point that we will take advantage of to have lunch.
After lunch, we finish the descent section that leads us to the bed of the Barranc de l’Infern . Commenting with other hikers we meet, they tell us that the start of the sports ravine is not far, just 200 meters downstream. So we decided to go take a look. The spectacle is overwhelming . Vertical walls that seem to ascend to the sky, populated with exuberant vegetation. One day I hope to have the opportunity to descend this ravine.
This time, however, we retrace our steps to resume the PR-CV 147 trail, a few meters above the point where we take the ravine (be careful not to get lost here).
We now face the second of the climbs, which will lead us to les Juvees de d’Alt . Again, I recommend taking it easy and enjoying each of the thousands of stone steps that make up this magnificent route.
Upon reaching the top, we have spectacular panoramic views of the Barranc de l’Infern , at the foot of the Sierra de la Carrasca (on your left)…
We are in les Juvees de d’Alt , where we find several houses in ruins and a couple of cisterns. From here, we begin a new descent towards the so-called Barranc de Racons, a tributary of the . At this point in the route, the stone steps seem to be better preserved.
Immediately we reach the bottom of the Barranc de Racons , and we begin the last, sinuous and staggered ascent. In the middle of it, we reach a natural viewpoint where we must necessarily stop and take a deep breath, the landscape is overwhelming…
We resume the march. The climb leads us to an area of farmland, on the outskirts of Benimaurell , “the town from above”. We immediately arrive at the Font dels Olbis recreational area, where the arrival of Autumn is noticeable.
Shortly after, we cross the village and arrive at the Font del Benimaurell , next to the village laundry.
This can be a good place to eat and recharge your batteries. From here to Fleix we only have a gentle walk following the paved path between terraces.
As we walk, among the almond trees, the silhouette of the Serra del Cavall Verd or Serra del Penyó appears , on which the three villages of the Vall de Laguar are based: Campell, Fleix and Benimaurell.
Tired but very happy, we go through the last steps while we comment on the anecdotes of the day. We complete the route, we close this “magic circle” of the Vall de Laguar. As I said at the beginning, an essential excursion in Alicante , for all lovers of nature, history and the culture of our land…
Track for GPS
Although the PR-CV 147 short-distance trail is perfectly signposted, I leave you here the gps track on wikiloc , in case you want to download it and take it as a support.
More Routes in LinkAlicante
The Route of the 8 Villages of the Vall de Gallinera
The Route of the 8 Towns is a linear route through agricultural paths of the Vall de Gallinera, connecting the 8 picturesque towns of this beautiful valley of the Marina Alta.
Links of interest
- Vall de Laguar Town Hall
- The PR CV-181 , another path in the Vall de Laguar
- The Cavall Verd massacre , article in El País
- 400 years since the expulsion of the Moors
