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.