There is a moment, halfway through a route in the Guadalest Valley, when you realise you haven’t checked your phone in a while.
Not because you decided to put it away. But because the landscape makes it easy to forget.
The inland area of Alicante has that effect. Mountains, silence, trails through pine trees and almond groves, villages with a charm all of their own. It is the kind of inland tourism that needs no explanation: you understand it the moment you experience it.
And autumn is, without question, the best season to discover it on foot.
The Guadalest Valley in autumn: why now
Summer in inland Alicante can be tough for walking. Autumn transforms it: temperatures drop, the landscape turns green again and the light of September and October has a quality that makes any hiking route unforgettable.
It is also the time when the prettiest villages in Alicante that surround the valley recover their quiet rhythm after summer. No crowds, no exhausting heat. Just the sound of the wind through the pines and a horizon that seems made to be looked at slowly.
For those looking for inland tourism in Alicante outside peak season, the Guadalest Valley in autumn is one of those options that never disappoints.
Beyond the castle: what to see in Guadalest and its surroundings
Guadalest is known for its castle and its reservoir. Both are worth a visit, but if that is all you see, you are missing the best of it.
The prettiest villages in Alicante that surround the valley — Benimantell, Beniardá, Benifató, Confrides — have an identity of their own that rarely appears in conventional travel guides. Stone streets, fountains, natural viewpoints with views that take your breath away. Places that only reveal themselves when you go on foot and without rushing.
The castle and the reservoir are the valley’s calling card, but there is much more waiting for those who wander a little further from the historic centre. Walk, stop, look. And if you find a terrace with views over the reservoir, stay a little longer than you planned.
Three hiking routes in Guadalest for all levels
The Guadalest Valley has more than 5,000 registered routes on hiking platforms. These three are a good starting point, depending on your level and the time you have available.
Easy — A Walk Around the Guadalest Reservoir
9.35 km · Elevation gain 338 m
The most accessible route in the area and one of the most popular. It circles the reservoir with constant views of the castle and the surrounding sierras. Suitable for any level, well signposted and with a landscape that changes at every bend. A great option for a gentle first outing or for walking with children.
Moderate — The Guadalest Reservoir and River: from Venta del Río to Beniardá
15.80 km · Elevation gain 274 m
A route that combines the reservoir with the river bed and the Mediterranean forests of the Rastell. It passes through Beniardá, one of the least-known pretty villages in Alicante, and offers a completely different perspective of the valley. The elevation gain is gentle for the distance covered, which makes it particularly rewarding.
Difficult — Benimantell. Penyó Roc from Font del Pí
13.53 km · Elevation gain 1,117 m
The most demanding of the three and also the most spectacular. It starts from the Font del Pí in Benimantell and climbs to the Penyó Roc, with views that stretch from the inland province all the way to the sea. Recommended for experienced hikers with proper mountain footwear.
Every metre is worth it.
If you prefer to explore the valley in a different way, VIVOOD also offers an electric bike service to ride through the mountain trails and Mediterranean landscapes at your own pace, effortlessly and with complete freedom.
Back at the hotel after the route
There is something that makes all the difference on a hiking trip: where you come back to when the route is done.
VIVOOD Landscape Hotel, in Benimantell, is one of Alicante’s most charming hotels and one of the nature hotels in Spain most integrated into the landscape. It sits in the heart of the Guadalest Valley, just a few minutes from the main trails. A hotel in Guadalest where the setting is not just a backdrop for photos, but part of the experience itself.
After a day on the trail, the Ritual of the 5 Elements at the VIVOOD 5E Spa is what you need to complete the experience: sauna, hammam, bithermal tunnel, flotarium and infinity pool with views over the valley. A spa in Alicante integrated into nature, designed to release everything the body has held onto during the route.
And when the body is finally at rest, it is time to sit down at the table. ConTemple offers an author cuisine recognised with a Michelin key, with local produce from the Valencian Community and panoramic views over the valley — ideal for lunch. And for dinner, the Panorámico restaurant rounds off the gastronomic experience. The perfect way to end the day.
For those looking to combine hiking routes in Alicante with wellness and gastronomy, VIVOOD has everything in one place.
Inland Alicante has something the coast cannot offer
Inland tourism in Alicante is still, for many, a discovery waiting to happen. The coast takes all the attention, and the interior gets left as that destination always saved for later.
But the Guadalest Valley, with its trails, its pretty villages and its silence, is one of those places that changes the perspective of everyone who visits. Not because of any single attraction, but because of the sum of everything: the light, the pace, the landscape, the feeling of being somewhere that has not quite been discovered yet.
Autumn is the time to go. And on foot, one of the best ways to do it.
