Callosa d´En Sarrià, Les Fonts d'Algar and Castell de Guadalest

This trip is one of the most popular tourist routes and is of special interest due to the beauty of the waterfalls at Les Fonts d´Algar and the traditional mountain village of Castell de Guadalest situated on the summit of a mountain.

Trip to Callosa d’en Sarrià. The route you are now following through the interior has some beautiful countryside and you will pass by the Coll de Rates area, situated around Parcent-Tárbena- Bolulla, although please be advised that this is a very windy mountain road indeed!

An alternative route would be to take the AP-7 motorway, direction Altea, (exit 64). Just before you come to Altea, at the top of the road, you will see a signpost with the turn for “Callosa d’en Sarrià”, and 3 kms from here towards Bolulla you will come to Les Fonts d´Algar (waterfalls) .

CALLOSA D´EN SARRIÀ

Callosa d’en Sarrià is located about 10 kms from this junction.

Callosa d’en Sarrià offers the visitor a full cultural sightseeing programme, with its numerous cultural, ethnological, archaeological, religious, and anthropological places of interest as well as its welcoming festival celebrations.

The town has been completely restored and well signposted to guide you during your visit.

Of great interest in Callosa is the church Iglesia Arciprestal de San Juan Bautista, with its neo-classical façade. Look out also for the Museum of Ethnology and Archaeology, where you can learn about the way of life in the town right up until the recent 1960’s. At the last house on the main street in the town centre, the El Calvario district begins, and leads to a little Chapel up a zig-zag path.

In Callosa you will also find el Portal (the Gateway), with its rounded archway, forming part of the remains of the wall which protected the town in the 14th century. The town also has numerous ceramic plaques portraying the saints after which many of the town streets and various chapels and hermitages are named, amongst which we should mention the Chapels of Sant Antoni, Aurora, Santo Cristo and Santa Bárbara. Of special interest in the village is the Poador de la Fuente Mayor (communal laundry), with its fountain in the shape of an animal´s head and a sculpture depicting King Jaime 1, both of which have been restored and are one of the town´s most impressive features.

Typical dishes: here you should try the following local dishes: stuffed peppers, “olleta de blat”, “conejo al all i oli” (rabbit with garlic) oven roasted vegetables, “olla amb pilotes”, (stew with dumplings), “minxos”, fresh nísperos and other nispero based products (such as syrup, juice, honey, jam and liqueurs), and “pastissets d’aiguardent i a l’aire” (little fairy cakes made with brandy liqueur).

After your visit to Callosa continue your day out with a trip to Les Fonts d´Algar.

Some interesting information about Callosa: this town is the foremost producer of nisperos in the whole of Spain. Look out for the brand name “Nísperos de Callosa d’en Sarrià”!

From Callosa to Les Fonts d’Algar. From the town, continue to the roundabout and take the exit signposted for the waterfalls. Leave Callosa in the direction of Bolulla and after about 3 kms take the right hand turning leading to the rest area.

LES FONTS D´ALGAR

The whole area around the Les Fonts d’Algar waterfalls has been made into a Visitors´Centre, with easily accessible places next to the carpark specially for swimming.

You can gaze at the waterfalls, and learn about how this incredible hydraulic power was harnessed in the past for use as irrigation, by means of a dam, water channels, canals etc. On a fine day bathe in the waters (there are various different ‘tolls’ or natural pools) all along the course of the river. Since ancient times the waters here have been thought to be health-giving and rejuvenating. Walk down the avenue planted with medicinal and aromatic species and visit the Arboretum with its many trees native to the Mediterranean area.

Afterwards you can visit the special exhibition area and shop selling aromatic and medicinal plants, and find out about the distillation process for producing perfumes and essential oils from them. About 800 m from the entrance to Les Fonts d´Algar you will find the picnic area and campsite, clearly marked.

About half way down the path between the campsite and the picnic area you will come across the footpath marked PR-CV48 taking you up to the Fort de Bèrnia built in 1562. This is a prime example of Renaissance architecture, and has been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest (B.I.C. in Spanish) here in Spain.

The PR-CV48 footpath runs for a distance of 5,5 km, and the walk (medium difficulty) will take two and a half hours to complete. The views from the Bèrnia mountain are absolutely magnificent.

Dinopark Algar is located 300 metres away from the campsite and offers a sample of robotic and static dinosaurs in a natural environment. The facilities include a 3D cinema, children’s attractions and a didactic guided auto tour.

There are 5 restaurants to choose from here, serving food ranging from the traditional fare to specially created gastronomic delicacies using local ingredients, such as new nispero-based dishes.

From Callosa to Guadalest. To get to Guadalest, take the CV-755 main road.

CASTELL DE GUADALEST

Castell de Guadalest is perched on the summit of a rocky outcrop and is accessible through a hollow entrance cut into the mountain. This town, in existence since Moorish times, was declared a Site of Artistic Heritage (CONJUNTO HISTÓRICO ARTÍSTICO) by Spain in 1974.

At the foot of the promontory is the Arrabal, where there are many craft shops, museums and restaurants.

The Micro Miniatures Museum and Micro Giant Museum are very popular, as well as the Bethlehem Museum and Dollshouses, Ethnological Museum, Medieval Historical Museum, Historical Vehicles Collection Museum, the Casa Orduña, which in addition to being the Municipal Museum also serves as the access point to the San José Castle.

In Guadalest there are various other interesting historical places for you to visit, such as the church  Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción dating from the 18th century, the Alcozaiba Fort and the 12th Century Prison, situated on the ground floor of the Town Hall.

But, without a doubt, the most outstanding historical site for the visitor is the San José Castle. The wonderful views to be enjoyed in Guadalest from anywhere in the town, and especially from the San José Castle, make this little village in the interior into an international ‘must-see’ tourist attraction.

Optional walk: If you want to spend a day out in the countryside, there is a special leisure area called “Font dels Teixos” situated just outside Castell de Guadalest town. This is an area with waterfalls surrounded by high mountains. To get here, take the turning for the reservoir (a short lane marked PR V-19), and having passed the reservoir, follow the mountain road for 5.4 kms. Then go along the track on the right hand side for a further 5.7 kms until you reach another crossroads; from here turn right and continue along this road until your reach the leisure area about 3.7 kms further on.