Guadalest valley day trip from Moraira

Vall de Guadalest – reservoir, mountain villages and a drive through the valley

The Guadalest valley (Vall de Guadalest) is more than the famous mountain village. The valley lies in the hinterland of the Marina Baixa, between the Aitana, Serrella and Xortà ranges, with a turquoise reservoir in the middle. From Moraira the drive takes about an hour (some 60 km). This page is about the valley as a whole; for the village with its castle and museums see our article on a visit to Guadalest.

The Guadalest reservoir

The Embalse de Guadalest has been in use since the nineteen sixties. The dam is 77 metres high and the lake can hold about 16 million cubic metres of water. The blue-green colour shows well from the road and from the dam, and the finest view over the lake is from the villages higher up.

In July and August Kayak Beni hires out kayaks on the lake, daily from 11:00 to 17:30, in 2026 around € 15 per person for an hour and a half (cash only). Outside high season by appointment only, on +34 653 78 27 74.

Place: Embalse de Guadalest
Google Maps

Walking around the lake

A well-known walk is the circuit of the reservoir from Beniardà: about 10.5 kilometres with some 400 metres of ascent, allow three to four hours. You park at the entrance to the village, as the streets are too narrow for cars. The municipality of Benimantell describes a variant of its own starting at the church of San Vicente Mártir and running along the dam, with views of Aitana, Serrella and Xortà. In summer take plenty of water and set off early; there is little shade. You will find more walks on our page of walking routes around Moraira.

The villages of the valley

Six villages ring the lake: El Castell de Guadalest, Benimantell, Beniardà, Benifato, Confrides and Abdet. Guadalest itself stands at 587 metres and draws the most visitors. The others are smaller and quieter, and good for a coffee or lunch along the way. Llorente Bus route 055 links the villages with Callosa d’en Sarrià and Polop, but for a day out a car is far more practical.

A drive through the valley, combined with Algar

There are two approach roads from the coast: the CV-755 from Altea via Callosa d’en Sarrià and the CV-70 from Benidorm via Polop. A sensible day out from Moraira starts along the AP-7 and Altea at the Algar waterfalls near Callosa d’en Sarrià. From there it is about twenty minutes further to the reservoir and Guadalest. On the way back you can take the CV-70 towards Polop and Benidorm, so you do not drive the same road twice.