Hiking Trails

Banyeres de Mariola (P.R.-C.V. 4) Features Region: L’Alcoià. Municipality: Banyeres de Mariola. Responsible Body: Penya Roja Hiking Centre. Start: Banyeres de Mariola. Finish: Banyeres de Mariola. Length: 20 kilometres. Approximate Time: 4 hours 10 minutes. Difficulty: Low. Cartography: ONTENIENTE 28-32 (820) 1:50.000 Bibliography: - Montañas Valencianas. Tomo V Rafael Cebrián. Ed. Papers de Muntanya, 1994 - Topoguidebook PRV-4. Banyeres de Mariola. Centre Excursionista Penya Roja.

Services Banyeres de Mariola Town Council: Tel. No.: 966 56 73 15 Penya Roja Hiking Centre: Tel. No.: 966 56 71 30 Mountain and Climbing Sports Federation (Federació d’Esports de Muntanya i Escalada): Tel. No.: 965 43 97 47

Relief According to its height and extension, Mariola Mountains is the most important mountain system in , second only to Aitana Mountains. It is one of the main lungs of the , rich with wildlife and botanical treasures. Through ancient history, the relief characteristics of this land were determinant for the settlement of a great number of peoples, and it has been also a passage for important communication routes between civilizations in the past. It officially belongs to the municipalities of Alcoy, , , , , Bocairent and Banyeres de Mariola. The highest point is located at the Montcabrer peak (1389 m.), rising stoutly at the end of the Cocentaina municipality. The Mariola Mountainsare the source of the most important hydrographic network in Alicante, being the source of rivers such as the Vinalopó and the Serpis. Itinerary The trail begins (or ends) in the Banyeres de Mariola cemetery. A vertical landmark indicates the direction of the path, corresponding to the Mariola road. Following this rural paved trail, we will reach a crossroads with the GR-7. Turning to the right, we will find ourselves before a ravine, extending as far as the Font de la Coveta, one of the springs giving origin to the Vinalopó river. Going south, the road of Alcoy Banyeres will appear before us, which we will follow as far as the crossroads with the Vinalopó river. Next we are to follow the direction towards the Molì l’Ombria camping area, to finally arrive again at the Banyeres de Mariola cemetery.