Paths with legend: between Alcalá and La Gallinera

1. Alcalà de la Jovada – La Cruz – Castell de Benissili (1h 30 min. – 2 h)

Alcalà de la Jovada was the capital of the fief of Al-Azraq. In the village is his old palace, in a square with a fountain with the effigy of this Muslim leader. You will leave Alcalà along the road next to the campsite and follow the itinerary that leads you along the track to the ruins of the corral of Andón. Here the track ends and you continue along the path to the Passet de Llombai. From there, turn left (towards the west) and continue along the mountain range. You will pass by La Cruz and arrive at the crossroads of the Castle of Benissili, in a ravine with old terraces that are easy to recognise. Before descending to the castle you can first pass by the Tossal del Xarpolar, where the remains of an ancient Iberian settlement still prevail on the flat top. On the way back from the Xarpolar, you will go down to the Castell d'Alcalà or Benissili, a castle from the 11th century, although it was first mentioned in the Treaty of Pouet, signed between Alfonso of Aragon and Al-Azraq.

2. Castell – Benissili – Alpatró (1 h)

Continue along the path down from the castle towards Benissili. Cross the CV-700 and go down the CV-714 towards the village. After 100 metres from the crossroads, turn off to the right, and 150 metres further on, turn left onto a path that takes you to Benissili. In the village there is a fountain where you can get some water. Leave Benissili and continue along the CV-714 towards Alpatró. You have to walk a kilometre and a half along the road.

3. Alpatró – Foradada (1 h and 30 min.)

Alpatró is one of the eight villages of La Vall de Gallinera. After approximately 3 hours of walking, it may be time to take a rest and sample the gastronomy in the bars and restaurants of this charming village.

To continue, cross Alpatró and come out onto the CV-700. Do not follow the road, but take a path on the left, next to a crossroads. From this road you will also have to turn off to the right onto a path to reach the Font Vella.

After passing Font Vella, cross the road and continue along a steeply sloping track. On this asphalted track you do most of the climb to La Foradada. A little before the end of the track, or at the end of it, there are a couple of paths that link up with the R.2 route from Benissivà to la Foradada. Once on the main route you go up to the pass (there are directional posts). From the pass you can go left (towards the east) to the Cova del Moro, a corral made from a walled cave. After returning to the pass, head west to climb the majestic Peña Foradada. This is a natural rock arch that is an important visual reference point for the valley. In addition, on dates close to the autumn equinox, the sun's rays that pass through the arch illuminate the remains of the old Franciscan convent of Benitaia.

4. Peña Foradada – Alcalà (1 h)

Halfway down from La Foradada there is an obvious path, heading south, along which you follow the route. The path widens and becomes a dirt track. This is the path from Atzuvieta to La Foradada. There are no signs, but it is not difficult to find your way around. At the two crossroads you pass, keep to the right. You reach an asphalted track, which you follow to the left. You pass the despoblado de la Atzuvieta, an old Moorish farmhouse.  If you continue along the track, you come out onto the CV-712 and return to Alcalà.