La Vall de Laguar

Means "place of many springs" and refers to the region made up of three villages; Campell (Poble de Baix), Fleix (Poble d’Enmig) and Benimaurell (Poble de Dalt) as well as including the Sanatorio San Antonio de Borja de Fontilles. The area lies within Marina Alta in the north of the province of Alicante and is some 500m above sea level. It sits between two sierras; on one side we have the "Barranco del Infierno" gorge formed by the passing of the river Girona and on the other, like a huge green sleeping horse is the "Sierra del Cavall Verd and the Sierra del Penyó (800 m)

Population 1.000, Made up of the villages of Campell, Fleix and Benimaurell, 25kms from Denía (20min by car)
Hour and a half from airports of Valencia and Alicante, 400 meters above sea level, Good all round climate

Climate:

It has a typical Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers, softened by the influence of the sea some 15-20km away. One can see not only the coast but also on clear days away to Ibiza. Although close to the coast it is a long way from the noise and crowds, closer to nature and peace and quite.

see the temperatures month by month

El Barrancó, walking, hiking:

One of the best walk in the area, the "Barranc del Infern", or Hells Gorge, is the official walk PR V-147, considered the cathedral of all walks! Between Fleix and Benimaurell it is a closed curcit of some 14Km which takes in 5,946 steps, 3,343 up and 2,603 down, with an accumulated height of 1,690m. It is considered of medium difficulty within the walking world.

details of walk

Sanatorio de Fontilles

The 100 years old leper colony, is noted for it's agreeable setting amidst woods, parks, gardens and fresh springs. The old wall to keep residents separate from the locals can be seen crawling up and down the surrounding hills.

Population:

It is essentially a small agricultural community dedicated to cultivating almonds, olives, figs, algarrobos, oranges and above all cherrys. Due to the different harvest time enables these products to support the population through out the year. About 1,000 people live in Laguar Valley.

Plants and animals

Pine, holly-oak, poplar and holm-oak grow on the hills alongside aromatic herbs; rosemary, heather, lavender and thyme. 

Local wildlife include crows, hawks, owls, partridge, and turtledove. 

Further afield:

Three Nature Parks: the Montgó in Denia, the Pego-Oliva Marshlands and the Peñón of Ifach in Calpe http://www.cma.gva.es/cidam/espacios/parques/espnaturales.htm

The Marine Reserve of San Antonio, between Denia and Javea

Prehistoric Caves in Benidoleig (8Km) and the Ebo Valley (10Km) with important Neolithic cave paintings www.cuevasturisticas.com/cueva11.html

Rupestrian paintings in Pla de Petracos, near Castell de Castells (25 Km.)

Moorish castle remains in Orba (4 Km) and The Gallinera Valley (15 Km)

Iberian and Moorish settlements in the Segaria mountain range and the Alcalá valley

The Albufera of Valencia (90 Km.) www.albufera.com

Antique and flea markets (Jalón – 7 Km.; Pedreguer - 6 Km.)

Crafts centres: pottery in Orba (6 Km.) and basketwork in Gata de Gorgos (10 Km.).

The Safari Park in Vergel (6 Km.)

Water sports and beaches: only 20Km you will find some of the best, sandy beaches along the Mediterranean Coast (Denia & Oliva); ideal for swimming, sun-bathing, wind-surfing, kite-surfing, water-skiing, snorkelling, boat trips or yacht charter. www.cndenia.es www.marinadedenia.com

Walking routes: The proximity of several mountain ranges offers the possibility of walking, hiking or trekking routes, mountaineering, speleology, rappel or canyon descent.

Cycling and Mountain Biking: this an ideal location for cyclists. The nearby Coll de Rates (10Km) with its serpentine curves and breathtaking views forms part of Spain’s Vuelta Ciclista (Cycling Tour). From Gandia (30Km), there is a cycling route along the old Gandia-Alcoy narrow gauge railway. (Greenways)

Horse-riding: There are several horse-riding stables, which offer excursions or classes. (La Sella, Oliva, Benissa)

Tennis: Tennis courts in the next village (3Km)

Bird watching: The proximity of the Pego marshlands and the Montgo Nature parks make this area a bird-watcher’s paradise, where many and rare species of birds can be seen throughout the year (eagles, heron, egret, little bittern, warblers, larks, blue rock thrush, etc) Some of these species can even be seen from our retreat centre.

FIESTAS AND CELEBRATIONS

 All year round, but especially during the summer months, a full agenda of fiestas and local celebrations held in nearby towns, add the festive touch to this region which will leave its mark on your memory.
January The Three Kings Parade
February Carnival in Denia and Pego
March The famous Fallas in Valencia, Gandia and Denia
April Easter week processions, Cultural week in Benimeli
May Moors & Christians parade in Alcoy
June San Juan celebrations in Javea and Alicante; the Cherry festival
July & August Patron saint fiestas in many different towns and villages and Valle de Laguar
August Moors & Christians in Denia & Vergel Fiestas in Benimeli (3rd week)
September Fiestas in Javea's port  
October Fiesta of the Valencian Community
November Benimeli: Saint Andew's day; popular meal for all the village. Medieval markets in different towns; Cocentaina