The Hell´s Ravine and the Route of the 6,000 Steps

This place is located in the known area called La Vall de Laguar (from the Arabic Al-Aghwar = the caves), this municipality consists in three small villages: Benimaurell, Fleix and Campell. The municipality is located in the region of La Marina Alta (Alicante) and consists in an inner valley where used to live about 1500 inhabitants.This valley is located about 500 meters above sea level, between two mountain ranges that make up the Girona valley, where the Barranco del Infierno ( The Hell´s ravine) is; these mountains are the Sierra del Cavall Verd and Sierra de la Carrasca, in which many fountains and springs can be founded.

But the peculiarities that make this locality a special place are the 6000 steps to be travelled to reach the top of the mountain and access the Barranco del Infierno. The origin of these over 6000 steps (6,873 to be exact) is none other than the conquest of territory during the s. XIII by Christian troops of King James I, when the Arabs, dispossessed of their lands, were forced to flee and take refuge in the southern mountains of the current Valencia´s Comunity,

This area was during the XIII century one of the last Arab strongholds, commanded by Al Azraq, arabic leader who after the conquest of Valencia established a covenant with James I, which gained control of a number of fortifications. But however, due to the abuses of Christians with the Muslim population, headed three revolts assuming a major obstacle to the achievements of South Community.

 Settled the Arabs in this area with rough terrain and difficult cultivation, but with enough natural resources for subsistence, the only obstacle to be overcome was the accessibility of the territory and for this reason was built a stepped path with 6,873 steps to access to farmland, they even broke through the mountain to easily cross to the valley in what is known as El Forat of Juvea.

The route is about 14 kilometres long, with zigzagging sections, made up the stone steps built by Arab farmers to access areas of work across the Girona River. The tour starts in the village of Fleix and is marked by fountains and streams with spectacular views, making the tour a real treat for everyone.

© FernandoC.