The best road cycling routes around Riola

El convent d'Aigües Vives, també anomenat Reial Monestir de Santa Maria d'Aigües Vives, és un antic monestir amb orígens que es remunten al segle XIII. L'edifici actual es va construir durant els segles XVI i XVII, amb els corresponents estils, renaixentista i barroc, si bé l'ala nord es va acabar en el segle XVIII. El monestir va pertànyer a l'orde dels agustins, orde que custodiava la imatge de la Mare de Déu d'Aigües Vives, patrona de la ciutat de La Barraca d'Aigües Vives. A mitjan segle XIX, a conseqüència de la desamortització de Mendizábal, els monjos hagueren d'abandonar el cenobi. Aquest va passar a mans dels barons de Casanova, que el destinaren com a habitatge rural. L'any 1977 el monestir fou adquirit i reformat per a destinar-lo a hotel residència per Antonio Vidal Bellver (fotògraf i empresari de Carcaixent). Actualment és propietat d'un empresari hoteler de Gandia. El 2024, la Generalitat Valenciana va instar els nous propietaris a fer obres per a mantenir aquesta obra major que ha patit un deteriorament progressiu com a conseqüència de robatoris, vandalisme i abandonament.

The port of Barx is a Valencian classic. Its horseshoe bends run over the panorama of the surrounding mountains and the Mediterranean coast.

Mareny Barraquetes (in Valencian and officially, Mareny de Barraquetes) is a minor local entity of the Valencian Community, Spain, belonging to the province of Valencia. Formerly a district of the municipality of Sueca, since 1999 it has been an entity of territorial scope below the municipality (EATIM) belonging to said municipal term. Mareny de Barraquetes is located in the heart of the Albufera natural park and next to the sea. The nearest towns are Sueca 7 km (kilometers) away, 28 km from Valencia and 9 km from Cullera. Its toponym mareny means ‘marshland’, that is, an area very close to the sea and easily flooded. For its part, the term barraquetes indicates the type of habitat that was frequent throughout the area, huts built with reeds and mud, materials from the marshes and the dune cordon. The historical origin of the first human settlements in this area dates back to the period of Roman domination, when the Phocaean colonies were established near Sicania, with El Mareny de Barraquetes being one of them. It survived through the centuries, as an alquería, thus reaching the first historical antecedents, which are found in the first census of inhabitants that was made in Sueca in 1795, by governmental order for the preparation of the conscription, as Spain was at war against Revolutionary France of the Directory (1793-1795). Likewise, until the 1845 census, we do not have a specific list of residents from El Mareny, with nine huts. Its inhabitants are mainly engaged in agriculture. In the last century, the population nucleus based its economy mainly on fishing. There were three fishing settlements where families lived who were dedicated to freshwater fishing (in the canals coming from the Júcar). Until recently, there was a fishing settlement where this work continued, but with modern facilities.

Stop in Beniali at a local bar or restaurant to try a dish with 🍒 from the valley – a true seasonal highlight.

Beniali is the central village of the Vall de Gallinera, a hidden valley in the Costa Blanca surrounded by almond and cherry orchards. This picturesque spot is rich in Moorish history and traditional Mediterranean charm, with narrow streets and whitewashed houses that reflect the authentic character of inland Spain. The Vall de Gallinera is a true paradise for cyclists and hikers, offering winding roads, quiet gravel tracks and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including the Serra de la Foradà. In spring the valley transforms into a sea of blossoms as the cherry trees bloom, making it one of the most spectacular natural sights in the region. Starting from Beniali, you can easily explore the other small villages of the valley, enjoy panoramic climbs and descents, and discover peaceful landscapes far from the coast. With its tranquil atmosphere, local cafés and traditional restaurants, Beniali is both a perfect base and a memorable stop on any cycling or hiking adventure through the Costa Blanca.

The wonderful setting surrounds a fairytale monastery.

Overview along the coast to Denia

The Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Valldigna was founded by James II the Just on March 15, 1298, who gave the Alfàndec valley to Abbot Bononat of Vila-seca to found a monastery of the Cistercian order, a branch of the Santes Creus monastery. It was the first monastery of such importance built in the ancient Kingdom of Valencia, after the Christian conquest. Days after the royal donation, James II, brother Bononat and his entourage met at the place of Ràfol (a Christian village in the valley founded after the conquest of James I) to take possession of the territory, plus one mile inland, the castles of Marinyén, Alcalà and the tower of Mondúber.