PR. CV-313

From the Molí l’Ombria go upriver on the right (E) and you will be able to see, from the very first moment, the diverse and lush riverside vegetation that stands out from the rushes, rosebays, and reedbeds, poplars, nettle trees and elm trees, reflecting on the clean waters of the Vinalopó. This way you will soon arrive at the bed of the river, which you will cross under El Partidor, connecting at this stage with the PRV-35: “Banyeres de Mariola – Biar – Elda” 2. (700 m) (0,93 km) (15’)

On the other side you can contemplate the building of El Partidor, where the waters coming from the main irrigation ditch are distributed to Banyeres, Bocairent and Benejama.. At the same time, we can observe the ruins of several waterwheels that took advantage of the water from the irrigation ditch as a propelling force. Last but not least, there is a cobbled winding track that goes up from the river to El Partidor.

After a short but hard slope (S) you will converge at a transverse track coinciding with the PRV-4: “Banyeres de Mariola” and coming from the source of the Vinalopó river, which goes on the right to the Molí l’Ombria 3. (755 m) (1,5 km) (30’).

Follow the new track on the left (S) and walk into a dense pine wood. Afterwards you will face the track called Camí dels Valencians (Camí de Benasaiz or Barranquet dels Pinarets) 4. (755 m) (1,97 km) (40’).

From this point an extensive and splendid view appears before your eyes. A wide valley is shaped and magnificently surrounded between the Onil mountain range, at south (the tops of which stand out from the dense shadowy area: El Reconco, El Alt de la Creu, El Alt de la Barcella and La Fenasosa), and the not less thick Fontanella mountain range at north. In the valley, among the traditional cereal farming, stand out isolated and peculiar holm oaks, stronghold of which constituted the predominant tree species from the disappeared Mediterranean forest. The whole has an indescriptible chromatic and landscape beauty… Go on along a wide and comfortable track that you should follow on the right (S), (the PRV-4 goes the other way round towards La Font de la Coveta, at the source of the Vinalopó river).

Shortly after going past a hundred-year-old holm oak, and before a junction, leave the main track (along which the PRV-35 continues towards Biar and Elda) and go on the right branch northwestwards.

Along the new track go up progressively among the thick pine wood and some terraced fields having olive and almond trees, and go into the Fontanella mountain range. You will arrive at the countryhouse Mas de la Foia Rodona and at the ruins of another one, with a view to the tops of the mountain range; the peak of La Blasca and the well-defined neck set at the eastern side of the craggy lime walls of the summit. Shortly after this, you will go past an abandoned lime kiln, a traditional building where in the past stone was fired for getting lime or adobe and it consists of the remains of a cylindrical structure of rendered masonry which, as it was usual in this kind of Moorish kilns, is stuck in a border or a slope and on one side of the track there is an overture which was that of the kiln. 5. (940 m) (5,74 km) (1.40’).

50 metres after having gone past the kiln you will have to pay attention because you will leave the track by turning on the right (NW) along a wide and stony path which will take you with a hard ascent to the neck set eastwards of La Blasca. 6. (1058 m) (6,67 km) (2 hours).

From the hill and by making a little effort, it is worth going up along a path, for over 10 minutes, to the highest elevation of the whole Fontanella mountain range; La Blasca and you will enjoy along with its geodesic vertex a wonderful and surprising view to all directions 7. (1120 m) (7,07 km) (2.10’).

When coming back to the neck you will have to follow your route and go down along the northern side of the mountain range, where you could see holm and kermes oaks that flourish taking advantage of the altitude and humidity conditions in the slope. This way and always going down, you will arrive at the countryhouse Mas de Perolit, an example of a traditional rural building where there are two specimens of cypress, next to an old fountain and a washing place facing the façade of the house 8. (775 m) (9,61 km) (2.55’).

From the Mas de Perolit go on towards the NE along a wide track and you will have a view to Banyeres de Mariola town, crowned by its high castle and the Ermita del Santo Cristo (chapel of St Christ).

Shortly before converging at the Biar road, turn on the right (E) along a secondary path that goes parallel to the river, on its left side and you will see at the opposite side the remains of the important factories that were once the mills Molí Pont and Molí Sol, where the particular constructions of the chimneys stand out. It is a protected architectural whole and has to be preserved in order to remind the future generations about such an important part of our ethnographic and cultural heritage.

After crossing the river on a rustic bridge you will arrive at the starting point and will end this interesting and varied route at the Molí L’Ombria 1. (685 m) (12,40 km) (3.40’). (685m) (12,40km) (3h40’).