Gestalgar

From Valencia, take Ademuz CV-35 highway to Lliria. Take the Pedralba detour (CV-376) and then continue towards Bugarra and Gestalgar (CV-377). You can also take the A3, taking the Manises detour to Pedralba (CV-370) and then towards Bugarra and Gestalgar (CV-377). Finally, you can also get there by taking the A3 to Cheste. Then the CV-384 and CV-379 or the A3 to Chiva. From there the CV-379 towards Gestalgar.
These 3 regional roads pass through town: CV-377, CV-379, CV-395.

Once in town, go to the river, and you will find the natural pools. To get to Peña Maria, you’ll need to cross the river and walk or go by car on a dirt road for about 8 minutes.

You can get to Gestalgar by car or bus and from there go walking to the swimming hole. Peña Maria can only be reached with your vehicle or on foot from Gestalgar.

There is a fee in summer for the public parking next to El Motor de Gestalgar. Cars and motorhomes €5, motorcycles €3 and buses with more than 30 seats €40. The road to the car park is blocked when it’s complete between June 15 and September 15. Hence, you might have to walk for about 10 minutes. In the Peña Maria area, you don’t pay to park. There is a large car park amidst nature, next to the river. Climbers often stay here a couple of days and sleep in their small vans.

Easy. It’s signposted on the CV-379 road. Once you enter Gestalgar look for the river. Getting to Peña Maria is more complicated since it’s not paved and not signposted.

If you arrive by car, it will be less than a minute walk to get to either Motor de Gestalgar or Peña Maria.

El Motor de Gestalgar has a schedule from June to September. Peña Maria and Fuente el Morenillo do not have opening hours.

From June to September, there is a fee to access El Motor de Gestalgar (except residents). Access to Peña Maria and Fuente el Morenillo is free since it is wilder and there are no facilities of any kind.

Wild swimming, river swimming, picnic, hiking, climbing Peña Maria

El Motor de Gestalgar is ideal to go with young children as there are many services. It’s not deep and it’s easy to keep an eye on children. Peña Maria and Fuente el Morenillo are also suitable to go with children. They have shallow waters and plenty of space to run around.

Pets are welcome, but they must be kept on a leash at all times at El Motor de Gestalgar. In Peña Maria, they can run around and swim.

No

Camping, littering, making fires and diving head first (as most areas are not deep enough) are not allowed.

Respect the environment and use rubbish bins.

Avoid carrying coolers (and chairs, hammocks, tables) and playing loud music.

Remember that soap and detergents should not be used in rivers and pools. Also, most sun creams contaminate the water, try to apply them well before taking a dip.

(Scientists have discovered that sunscreen releases significant amounts of titanium dioxide, which damages aquatic life. Soaps have phosphates, are also non-biodegradable and harm the environment).

In Gestalgar you can see the Palace of the Lordship, the Parroquiallos church and the remains of the castle walls which crowns the town and offers impressive views over the valley.

Hiking routes: enjoy a walk on the left bank of the river. This will take you along a beautiful hiking route that leads to Chulilla. Other good areas for hiking are El Barranco del Regajo, La Sierra de los Bosques and La Tierra de Roya. You could also check the cave paintings of Clochas shelter and The Devils cave.

Check out other amazing natural pools & places to swim in the province of VALENCIA.

El Salto de Chella is an awesome 25 m cascade. There is a viewpoint that at the top of the village of Chella. The views of the waterfall, swimming hole, countryside, and surroundings are impressive. You can visit the historic centre of Moorish origin, called Barrio de la Peña. It’s in the highest part of Chella, where the old Muslim fortress (currently Calle el Castillo) is.

In the village of Anna, there is a beautiful and well known Lake called ‘La Albufera de Anna‘. There are also 3 waterfalls at the other end of Anna, which can be enjoyed doing the 3 waterfalls hiking route.  The best waterfall for swimming is the Gorgo de la Escalera, an awesome waterfall.

For wild swimming, check out the impressive Chorradores de Navarrés waterfall. It’s on the outskirts of Navarrés. It also has a signposted route that is easy to do on foot with young children.

To take a dip in the natural pools of Valencia’s rivers, check out Bolbaite, Pou Clar, and Bugarra.

The province of ALICANTE is to the south of the province of Valencia. Check out these swimming holes!
Toll Blau, El Barranco de la Encantada or the Algar Waterfalls, close to Benidorm.