Guadalest Valley: Benimantell, Beniarda, Benifato, Abdet, Confrides

Discover the mountain villages of the Guadalest Valley, Costa Blanca (Spain).

Castell de Guadalest is the first village Guadalest Valley and a very popular tourist spot. However, Benimantell, Beniarda, Benifato, Abdet and Confrides are quiet rural hamlets with their own remarkable charm.

Villages of the Guadalest Valley

Benimantell

Benimantell is some 2km further up the valley from El Castell de Guadalest village, and the place with the highest number of residents (some 500 persons).

A row of popular restaurants line the main CV 70 road – the peaceful village is just below, a maze of steep winding streets on the hillside with views across the valley and reservoir.

You can see the distinctive hexagonal church tower peeping over the rooftops of the small townhouses, which traditionally had various levels, basements for stabling mules and lofts for drying almonds or grain.

Beniardá

A few minutes later you’ll come to the turning which leads down to Beniardá, a pretty little village located at the end of the Guadalest Reservoir.

Once again winding, steep streets, typical houses and the XVI century Sant Joan Baptista church, one of the oldest in the valley with a characteristic green tiled bell tower. There’s a traditional old wash house by the Font Vella fresh water spring and, further on, Font de la Mesquita is believed to have been the site of an important mosque during the Al-Andalus period.

Walk down from Beniardá village to the reservoir, and follow the path to the Guadalest river, a scenic area where the only person you’ll come across will be the occasional farmer attending the almond and olive groves.

Benifato

Benifato is an unspoilt hamlet, on the left-hand side of the Guadalest to Confrides road, in the foothills of Sierra Aitana… a handful of houses, the quaint San Miguel church, mountain water springs, and not a tourist in sight.

Font de Partegat (Picnic Area)

From here you can drive (or hike) to Font de Partegat, a gorgeous picnic area at the base of Aitana mountain (1,558mt), with a running mountain stream, popular for camping and walkers.

The circular route over the mountain is one of my favourite walks and one of the best hikes in Costa Blanca – it’s not difficult if you’re reasonably fit, but you should wear appropriate footwear and take care at the narrow pass known as ‘Fat Man’s Agony’! The incredible views across four provinces from the top of the ‘Simas de Partagat’ are well-worth the effort!

Abdet

Abdet is located at the foot of Sierra Serrella and is a peaceful, attractive hamlet with few permanent residents, and marvellous views down the valley.

There’s a couple of typical restaurants and rural accommodation for people seeking a relaxing getaway or a base for walking holidays or climbing.

Every church in the Guadalest valley is different! Abdet’s San Vicente Ferrer church is white and nearby you can see the famous ‘trinquete’ court, one of the oldest in the Region (1772), where the traditional ball game Pelota Valenciana is played along the lovingly reconditioned alleyway.

The old stone washing house has also been authentically restored – it’s along a lane some 200 metres from the village.

You can walk up to the ‘Creueta del Penyó mastiff behind the village to the cross for more incredible views. There are a number of canyons suitable for rock climbing in this area, mountain streams and a waterfall in the Fanalic ravine (after rainy weather).

Confrides

After the turn-off to Benifato, the main road zig-zags towards Confrides through attractive countryside, leaving the tourists behind. The ruins of Confrides castle can be seen on the hillside under Aitana mountain.

Confrides is one of the highest villages in Alicante Province, at an altitude of 785 metres above sea level. It snows in this area for a few days most years in the winter, which is a novelty and fun day out for people living on the sunny Mediterranean coast only 30 km away.

At the top of the Guadalest Valley, Confrides is an attractive traditional village with winding streets and an unusual yellow stone parish church.

There are several walking routes nearby through the Sierra Aitana mountains and also to the source of the Guadalest River.

Gastronomy in the Guadalest Valley

Traditional cuisine in the Guadalest Valley uses local ingredients to prepare tasty dishes such as garlic rabbit, rice with beans and vegetables, el mincho, olleta de blat (wheat hotpot) or pilotes de Dacsa (meatballs with maiz). Local game, vegetable and fresh fruit are also popular.

Guadalest Village and the Reservoir

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Continue reading about Guadalest village and the reservoir.

How to Get to Guadalest Valley

Nearest airport: Alicante (74km);
By road from the coast: AP-7 or N-332, exit at Benidorm. Take the CV-70 towards La Nucia, from here either take the new variant via Polop de la Marina or carry on the original CV-70 through Callosa de Ensarriá.

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