The best walks and hikes around Almansa

The hermitage is a prominent natural viewpoint, offering panoramic views of Caudete, the Vinalopó Valley, and on clear days, even the sea. It forms part of the official PR-AB-50 trail, a well-marked circular route of approximately 13.5 km and moderate difficulty (550 m to 1,153 m elevation gain), which allows hikers to enjoy panoramic views, Mediterranean vegetation, and a nearby historic snow well. The area is popular for hiking, mountain biking, and paragliding, with several notable routes.

The Hermitage of Santa Bárbara is located on the summit of the Sierra de la Oliva, also known as the Sierra Santa Bárbara, at an altitude of approximately 1,153 meters, about 5 kilometers southeast of Caudete. Built around 1580 at the initiative of the people of Caudete, following a period of severe storms with hail, the mountain peak was chosen as a place of spiritual protection, with the trust that Santa Bárbara would safeguard the crops and the population. Traditionally under the jurisdiction of the parish of Santa Catalina, the hermitage is visited every May 1st in a pilgrimage: pilgrims ascend steep paths in homage to the saint's martyrdom, reflecting sacrifice and devotion.

The Mirador de la Senda del Museo in the Pantano de Almansa is an ideal place to enjoy panoramic views of the swamp and its natural surroundings. This viewing point is part of the Agua Viva project and serves as a resting point for migratory waterfowl. From the viewing point, you can observe a large part of the swamp and enjoy the tranquility of the place. In addition, it has benches to sit on and an explanatory panel that provides information about the fauna and flora of the area.

The Aquatic Activities Center at the Almansa Reservoir is a perfect place to enjoy various water and outdoor activities, especially during the summer. They offer a variety of options such as paddle surfing, single and double kayaks, guided kayak tours, hiking trails, archery, and more.

The original construction could have been the work of the Almohads, who often used the rammed earth technique for their defensive buildings. The remains of rammed earth walls in this castle, traditionally attributed to the Almohad period, were actually built during the first decades of Christian rule, at the end of the 13th century or beginning of the 14th century. In the 14th century, Almansa and its fortress were incorporated into the lordship of Villena. Don Juan Manuel took advantage of the previous construction and ordered its walls to be rebuilt.

This mill uses a canal approximately 2 km long, divided into two sections. One of approximately 1.5 km upstream and another that covers the rest. The canal is four meters wide and reaches seven meters in the last part of the first section, which serves as a dam. The mill has three floors. The walls perpendicular to the canal are made of stone, while the other walls are made of brick, following the typical construction of the area. Furthermore, next to the mill are the outbuildings that once served as housing for the former owners. If you are interested in exploring more, you can also visit Rambla de los Molinos, located in the old flour mill of the same name. It has been rehabilitated as a Nature Classroom and Environmental Interpretation Center. It offers an interesting overview of the socioeconomic, natural and physical environment of the Almansa district. 😊🌄🚶‍♀️

The original construction could have been the work of the Almohads, who used to use the rammed earth technique for their defensive buildings. The remains of rammed earth walls in this castle, traditionally attributed to the Almohad period, were actually built during the first decades of Christian rule, at the end of the 13th century or the beginning of the 14th century. In the 14th century, Almansa and its fortress were incorporated into the Villena manor. Don Juan Manuel took advantage of the previous construction and ordered its walls to be rebuilt.

Perched on a rocky hill, this fortress overlooks Almansa. It was built in the 14th century and remains an important part of the local festivals here.