Friday 12th April 2024 (this walk replaces the one originally planned for the Hoces del Cabriel Natural Park)
In 1892 a railway line was built between Alcoy and Gandia to transport precious raw materials and to develop the industrial fabric of the area. This railway was active until 1969 when it fell into disuse and now part of the route has been adapted for the use and enjoyment of walkers and cyclists. Known as the Serpis River Greenway, it is a route of just over 13 km, between the towns of Lorcha, in the Alicante region, and Villalonga in Valencia.
It is said to be a “route with gentle slopes, simple and very accessible, suitable for all levels of walkers, and one of the most impressive in the Valencian Community”, taking approximately 3¼ hours. You will go through several tunnels and cross two bridges, while strolling along the banks of the river Serpis, in the middle of a forest bordering the river.
The “Fábrica del Infierno”, an historic hydro-electric installation, is located halfway along the route and is in a good state of conservation. Crossing the Barranc de l’Infern, a protected landscape, the walker will arrive at “El Racó del Duc”, an impressive natural area considered to be one of the largest in the Valencian Community.
From Javea we will travel to Villalonga in a 25-seater minibus and on arrival, there will be time for refreshments and to don our walking gear at the Ca Elsa Bar/Restaurant. After which we will reboard the minibus and travel a short distance to the starting point of our walk.
As we walk, there will be views of the Vilallonga valley, with the terraces of orange trees, carob trees and the pine forest; figs grow wild and often take root on the very rocky walls. Before long we will come to the first railway tunnel, of which there are eight in total, five in the Vilallonga-Lorcha section. The first, known as the Long or Fosca Mine, at 250 metres, is the longest of the five tunnels on the Vilallonga – Lorcha route (take a torch as there is one section where it will be almost totally in darkness).
Geological formations from the Jurassic in the Racó de la Roja.
The Morú weir rises above the river, surrounded by tall trees, possibly one of the quietest and most pleasant places on the route. The riverbed widens noticeably, with striking and exotic ailants (Ailanthus altisima), willows, tamarisks and sorrels. About 10 minutes later, the 4th tunnel begins, the Mina de la Garrofera which is the shortest, being only 20 metres long. At the exit, banks of orange trees landscape the route next to La Garrofera, an old railway box, number 15, which is named after and shadowed by an old and large carob tree.
We continue along a dirt track, surrounded by carob trees, elms and lindens, that leads directly to the Factory of Hell. It is a an interesting building from the last century hidden in the shade of two slender poplars (Populus nigra ), behind which a service path connects it to the hermitage of the Immaculada, now in ruins.
Factory of hell, hermitage, and railway platform at the site of the Inferno factory.
Continuing on, we will start to see signs that we are approaching the outskirts of Lorcha.
Once we reach the Pont de l’Orcha, our minibus will be waiting for us and we travel the short distance to the Restaurante Alberque del Serpis for a menu del dia lunch, before our return to Javea late afternoon.
ITINERARY
08.45 hrs: Departure from Golden Star Apartments, Calle Bruselas (layby next to the pétanque park), Javea Arenal.
09.00: Departure from Interiors, Avda Ausius March (opposite side of the road), Javea port.
09.15 hrs: Pick up at Mas y Mas on the N322 (if required).
10.00 hrs: Arrival at the Ca Elsa Bar/Restaurant, Villalonga; time for refreshments.
10.40 hrs: Reboard the minibus for the short journey to the starting point for our walk.
10.55 hrs: Walking the Via Verde Serpis.
14.20 hrs: Reboard our minibus at the Pont de l’Orcha.
14.30 hrs: Menu del dia lunch at the Restaurante Alberque del Serpis.
16.00 hrs: Reboard our minibus for the return journey.
17.30 hrs: Approximate arrival in Javea.
COST
€28 per person on reservation + the cost of a menu del dia lunch. There will be no guide for this walk as it is a linear route following a well-marked track – we will commence the trail at Villalonga and end at Lorcha.
Members participate at their own risk and are responsible for their own insurance cover. Please note that refunds are only possible if another member takes over the cancelled booking. If you would like to join this walk, please send an email to the group leader, Angela Chantry:
getaway.guided.walks@u3ajavea.com
