Guadalest Reservoir

How do I get to the Guadalest Reservoir?

It is easy as it’s well signposted and the roads are paved and in good condition. You have several accesses, in Guadalest and Beniardá. Both are an hour’s drive from Alicante. The fastest way to get there is to take the A-7 highway and the CV-70 regional highway.

There is a parking lot next to the reservoir at the feet of Guadalest. Yet, since the ‘Beach of Guadalest‘ is close to Beniardá, we recommend parking there and walking down. In Beniardá you can leave your car at the entrance of the town (next to the restaurant La Mezquita). Or a little further down at the public car park. Go down to where the Town Hall is, continue down the street and go under an arch. Leaving the village you can enjoy great views of the reservoir. Keep walking down the road and pass the municipal swimming pool until you reach the bridge crossing the Guadalest river. Before crossing the river, on the left, you will hear a waterfall. Cross the Guadalest River bridge and follow the road that continues to the right. There is a sign of ‘Presa de Guadalest’ (dam of Guadalest). Follow the curvy road until you reach a junction with a new sign. At the crossroads, go right, following the road around the dam. You will have magnificent views of the mountain of Aitana and the villages (Guadalest, Benimantell, Benifato and Berniardiá) as you arrive at Guadalest swimming lake.

There is no public transportation to Guadalest Reservoir but there is to the nearby villages. From there you can go by car or on foot. The easiest way is to drive to Guadalest or Beniardá and walk from there.

Around the reservoir, there is a narrow, winding road that is very quiet. It has beautiful views of the reservoir, the mountains and the valley. It’s not recommended to go with a large motorhome, but if it is a small one it should be fine.

There is a small parking lot right on the edge of the reservoir, where the dam is. It does not have many spaces so it fills up early on summer weekends. You can cross the dam on foot or by car.  Follow the road towards Callosa d’en Sarria to get to the dam. Turn following the ‘Presa de Guadalest’ (Guadalest Dam) signpost.

You can also park in several car parks in the village of Guadalest that cost €2 a day. From there you will have to walk down the road that leads to the Sports Center until you reach the dam.

You can also park in Beniardá, which is closer to the Beach of Guadalest. You will have to walk through the town, follow the road that goes down to the reservoir and cross the river.

Beniardá (300 m), Guadalest (300 m), Benimantell (700 m), Benifato (1600 m)

Guadalest valley is surrounded by mountains and this influences its characteristic climate. It has summers with milder temperatures and more moderate winters. It is a place that you want to visit at any time of the year. It’s always open. During the summer and even weekends, it is not a place that gets crowded like many other lakes for swimming.

The climate and the dryness of the land of Guadalest favour the development of the almond tree. The flowering of the almond trees is from mid-February to the end of March approximately. It’s a beautiful natural spectacle.

Swimming in the lake, paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking and picnic. A solar boat gives a tour of the reservoir (summertime by appointment). When the water is high, people take their boats, especially in summer.​

Although dogs are officially not allowed to take a dip, they go swimming on the part of the reservoir close to Beniardá.

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Things to do near Guadalest Reservoir

There is a 9.63 km circular hiking trail that goes around the lake. At one side of the lake, the path runs parallel to the reservoir. It is 2 km and takes about 30 minutes. Yet, on the other side of the lake, the route is very winding. In total, the route is about 3 and a half hours.

You can also cross the dam by car and follow the road that takes you around the lake. In half an hour you will be back in the village of Guadalest. It is a very narrow road, recently paved and with many curves. It’s not busy, so you can enjoy the landscape.

We recommend a visit to one of the villages in the valley. Guadalest (200 inhabitants) is the most touristy and well-known, but all are worth it. The views of the valley and reservoir from Guadalest are impressive. The castle (Castell de Guadalest) is at the top of the cliff, at 595 m of altitude. It’s surrounded by Xortà and Serrella mountains to the north and Aitana mountain to the south. It was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1974. Besides, it’s one of ‘The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain’. Guadalest also has many quirky museums (salt and pepper shakers, microminiatures, dollhouses, vintage cars, bicycles and historical vehicles, ethnological and torture tools).

Check out these amazing natural pools & places to swim in the province of ALICANTE!

Algar Waterfalls are close to Benidorm and possibly are the most beautiful waterfalls in Alicante. The crystalline natural pools in the course of the river invite bathing or having a picnic next to them.

For a dip in beautiful swimming holes in Alicante, check out Barranco de la Encantada (swimming hole with waterfall) and Pou Clar (group of small swimming holes).

To swim on the coast in Alicante, Cala Granadella, Cala Portixol, Cala Ambolo and Cala Moraig are all amazing. They will remind you of Ibiza! To the south of the city of Alicante is Playa del Carabassí, a beach with golden sand protected by big dunes and pine trees.

There are no restaurants or bars on the reservoir itself. You can go to restaurants in the villages of Guadalest (you can even eat in the castle of Guadalest), Benifato, Benimantell and Beniardá. The star dish is the ‘olleta de blat’ (pot of wheat).

The microclimate of this area favours the growth of ‘nísperos‘ (medlars). This fruit has a ‘Protected Designation of Origin’ in 19 Alicante municipalities. You could take local products, such as olive oil, honey, almonds as souvenirs. This will help the local economy and fight the depopulation of these inland valleys.

The depth of the reservoir is 94 m in some parts. If you get into the water in the beach area near Beniardá, the depth gradually increases.

Most of the shore of Guadalest reservoir has a sudden drop in depth as you enter the water. Half a meter from the edge, it can be very deep already. That is why you must know how to swim. One of the few places in the reservoir where you can enter the water walking is on the ‘beach of Guadalest’ near Beniardá.