Hiking / excursion options near La Cova House (Alcoy) (from easy walks to mid-mountain routes)

1.1. Racó de Sant Bonaventura and Vía Verde de Alcoy

• River area (Polop) between Font Roja and Mariola, with old mills and a recreational area at Racó de Sant Bonaventura.
• Typical routes:
• Easy–moderate 8–10 km loop combining the riverbank, Font del Quinzet and return via the Vía Verde and the Pont de les Set Llunes.
• Variant towards Els Canalons, a bit more technical (walkways and sections with chains).

Important: a flood in September 2024 seriously damaged the area; in 2025 it was still reported as “very affected” with destroyed walkways. Before recommending it to guests, check the current status with Alcoy tourism.

1.2. Barranc del Cint + Ermita/Cruz de Sant Cristòfol

• Iconic gorge of Alcoy on the Serra de Mariola hillside, with a griffon vulture colony and walls over 200 m high.
• Classic circular route from the Preventorio (recreational area accessible via CV‑796): 9–11 km, medium difficulty, about 500 m of ascent, climbing to the vulture cliffs (Projecte Canyet), Alt de les Pedreres and descending along the upper part of the ravine.
• Easier variant: climb from the Preventorio to the Ermita and Cruz de Sant Cristòfol, steep but shorter, part of the yellow “Miradores de Solana” route in the Parc Natural de Mariola.

1.3. Creu del Preventori (Romeral – Preventori – Cruz route)

• Marked route from the Romeral park in Alcoy, passing through Els Llençols to the Preventorio and linking with the natural park trail to the Cruz.
• Ideal as a progressive route for guests: you can do only Romeral–Preventori (more family-friendly) or extend to the Cruz (elevation and views over the valley and Alcoy).

1.4. Font Roja Natural Park (Menejador and signed routes)

• Drive access via CV‑797 to the Font Roja Sanctuary (about 10 km from Alcoy); from there several official routes (blue, yellow, red) are well marked.
• Common combination:
• Route to the Menejador (main summit), a steady climb of ~40 min from Pla de la Mina, medium difficulty.
• Other shorter variants (Pla de la Mina, Barranc de l’Infern) for less experienced guests.

1.5. El Molinar (industrial heritage + nature)

• Molinar area of Alcoy, ~2 km south of the city, with a spring, modernist dome (1912–1914) and remains of textile and paper factories; declared a Cultural Heritage Site.
• Routes:
• Easy 2–3 km walk along the riverbed and industrial remains (good as a short excursion).
• Longer traverse linking Molinar with the Vía Verde and Els Plans range (PR‑CV 132), climbing to ~1,330 m with great views, medium–high difficulty.

Very interesting to combine landscape + Alcoy’s industrial history.

1.6. Pou Clar (Ontinyent) – day trip with swimming pools

• River area in Ontinyent (Valencia) with six natural pools at the source of the Clariano River; highly valued for swimming and strolling.
• Routes:
• Walk along the marked pools of Pou Clar itself.
• Easy 5 km out-and-back to Pou de l’Olleta, following the PR trail along the river (2–3 h), suitable as a summer outing with the option to swim.

Access only on foot/bike from Ontinyent; access is often regulated with reservations in high season.

Cycling routes (road and MTB) from Alcoy and surroundings

2.1. Road: Puerto de la Carrasqueta and major climbs

• Alcoy is a “cycling paradise” with classic climbs used in La Vuelta and the Volta a la Comunitat.
• Featured route:
• Alcoy – Benifallim – Torremanzanas – Relleu – Busot – Jijona – Carrasqueta – return: ~100 km and >2,300 m+, with the Puerto de la Carrasqueta climb (about 14–16 km at 4.5–6.5% depending on variant).

Very interesting for strong road cyclists.

2.2. Road: Alcoy – El Comtat – Font Roja (circular route)

• About 97 km, moderate difficulty: Alcoy – Cocentaina – l’Alqueria d’Asnar – Muro – Margarida – Tollos – Benimassot – Balones – Gorga – Benilloba – back towards Alcoy and final climb to the Font Roja Natural Park (about 9 km of climbing).
• Combines the El Comtat valley with a panoramic final ascent to Font Roja.

2.3. Other popular road routes

• Several loops from Alcoy passing through Banyeres de Mariola, Biar, Onil, Ibi, Benifallim, etc., between 70 and 100 km, with chained climbs (Font Roja, Benifallim, etc.).
• Good base to design options by level (intermediate / advanced).

2.4. MTB: Alcoy – Font Roja – Serra de Mariola homologated route

• Homologated circular MTB route of ~30 km, medium difficulty, between the Font Roja and Serra de Mariola natural parks.
• Starts and ends on the Vía Verde of Alcoy in the Batoy neighborhood; follows tracks and paths, well signposted, passing places like the Salt houses, Ermita de Barxell and Racó de Sant Bonaventura.
• Ideal for MTB/gravel guests who want to “try a bit of everything” without high mountain terrain.

2.5. Vía Verde de Alcoy (families / easy gravel)

• Former Alcoy–Agost railway, now a greenway with lit tunnels and iconic bridges such as the Pont de les Set Llunes; very suitable for bike rides with children or as a link to other routes.

Rules in natural parks

In Font Roja and Serra de Mariola, cycling is only allowed on forest tracks, not on trails or off‑trail, to protect the environment.

Sport and traditional climbing in the Alcoy area
Around La Cova House there are several active climbing areas maintained by the local climbing community:

3.1. Barranc del Cint – Pico de las Águilas / Cova del Morter (Alcoy)

• Climbing sectors on the walls of Barranc del Cint and on Pico de las Águilas, with topos collected in specific guides such as “Escalada Alcoià i Comtat” and online resources.
• Spectacular setting (gorge, griffon vultures) and a mix of sport routes and multi‑pitch lines.

3.2. El Castellar (near Alcoy)

• Sport climbing area on a wall near Alcoy, with 15–25 minutes approach depending on the sector.
• Sectors with mid/high grades; very popular in summer due to orientation and shade in the upper part.

3.3. Peña del Flare (Muro de Alcoy)

• 80–130 m wall, predominantly north‑facing, with athletic climbing; mix of bolted routes and some sections where cams/nuts are recommended.
• Good option for hot days (shade and elevation).

3.4. Other areas in Alcoià–Comtat

• The set of sectors in the area is grouped in guides and resources such as “Escalada en Alcoy” and the list of “35 best climbing areas in Alicante”, including walls near Alcoy, Cocentaina and other nearby towns.
• This allows offering climbers several options within a short drive, with downloadable topos.

Places of interest and cultural activities (approx. 50–70 km radius)

4.1. In Alcoy

• Modernism route and historic center

Alcoy is one of the main modernist centers in Spain and part of the European Route of Modernism.
Key buildings: Casa del Pavo, Círculo Industrial, former Fire Station, Casa d’Escaló, hydroelectric substation, modernist cemetery, etc.
Highly recommended as a guided visit or self‑guided walk for guests.

• Museu Alcoià de la Festa (MAF)

Museum entirely dedicated to Alcoy’s Moors and Christians festival, in the Casal de Sant Jordi (17th‑century building). Displays costumes, posters, audiovisuals and a journey through the festival’s history.

• Museo Arqueológico Municipal Camil Visedo Moltó

Located in the old 16th‑century Renaissance Town Hall, declared a monument; archaeological collection from the Paleolithic to the medieval period, with notable Iberian and Muslim pieces.

• MUBOMA – Firefighters Museum of the Province of Alicante

First firefighters museum in the Valencian Community, housed in a former textile factory by the Barxell river.
Interactive exhibition on Alcoy’s industrial history, the evolution of the firefighters’ trade, vehicles and equipment; with guided visits and workshops for families.

4.2. Ibi – Valencian Toy Museum and Toy Valley

• Museum in the former Payà Hermanos factory, with a large collection of historic toys and permanent and temporary exhibitions.
• Part of the “Toy Valley Route” (Ibi, Onil, Castalla), combining visits to toy factories/museums with inland landscapes.

4.3. Cocentaina

• Historic center
• Castle
• Mercat de Tots Sants
• Moors and Christians festivities in August.

4.4. Banyeres de Mariola

• Castle and the Serra de Mariola surroundings
• Moors and Christians festivities in April and September.

4.5. They combine historic centers, gastronomy and nature, all less than an hour’s drive from Alcoy.

• Bocairent
• Ontinyent
• Ibi
• Xixona

5.1. Alcoy (main reference for your guests)

• What they are

Festival in honor of Saint George recreating the historical/symbolic struggle between Moorish and Christian sides linked to the battle of 1276 and the tradition of the saint’s appearance.
Declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest (1980) and Intangible Cultural Heritage (2019).

• Basic structure

“Festive trilogy” of three main days:
Day of the Entradas: parade of the Christian Entrada (morning) and Moorish Entrada (afternoon), with the 28 filaes, floats, horses, bands, etc.
Day of Sant Jordi: religious acts and processions in honor of the patron saint, with a central role for the “Sant Jordiet”.
Day of the Alardo: embassies and arcabus battles, culminating with Saint George appearing on the battlements.

• Dates

Traditionally around April 23, but the city adjusts each year to the nearest weekend (for example, 24–27 April 2026 or 3–5 May 2025).
For guests it is always advisable to link to the official calendar of Alcoy Tourism / Associació de Sant Jordi.

5.2. Nearby towns with Moors and Christians (same “festive belt”)

All these festivities are within a 1 h–1 h 15 drive from Alcoy, so they are excellent recommendations depending on guests’ dates.

• Banyeres de Mariola

Festivities from April 22 to 25 in honor of San Jordi + an additional reenactment the first weekend of September; declared of National Tourist Interest.

• Cocentaina

Festivities in honor of San Hipólito; held the second weekend of August, with a trilogy (Entradas, religious acts, battle) similar to the Alcoy model.

• Muro de Alcoy

Moors and Christians in honor of the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, the second weekend of May, declared of Regional Tourist Interest.​

• Ontinyent

Moors and Christians festivities on the third/fourth weekend of August, in honor of the Santísimo Cristo de la Agonía; recently declared of International Tourist Interest.

• Ibi

Moors and Christians in September, in honor of the Mare de Déu dels Desemparats, with 14 comparsas; major festivities of the town.