Toll Blau

Spain - Alicante
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Toll Blau

Swimming hole of crystalline water with small waterfalls trickling down a mossy rock wall. Located in Serra de Mariola Natural Park, Valencia.

Toll Blau is a beautiful natural pool. The water is so crystal clear that you can see the bottom. It’s fed by the Vinalopó River. The water pours as cascades down a 4 m high rock wall which is full of moss. The area is shady and the vegetation exuberant. It’s a few km by car from Bocairent, on the limits of the provinces of Alicante and Valencia.

Toll Blau is mostly known to people from the surrounding villages. You could easily get lost as this secluded swimming hole is not well signposted and is difficult to find (read the Getting There section below). Besides, you’ll have to jump over rocks and cross the river several times. The narrow path ends at Toll Blau. There is hardly any space to sit or walk next to the swimming hole, due to the steep slopes of the ravine it lays in. There is only room for about 3 persons at a time.

The emerald-green water is spotless and perfect for cooling off and taking a dip in the middle of nature. Several hiking trails pass through this amazing swimming hole with a wall of waterfalls. Yet not many people dare to swim here as the water is very cold even in summer This place to swim is small. It’s better to avoid going with large groups in order not to saturate it.

how to get to Toll Blau -

Getting to the Toll Blau is not easy (see our Getting There section to find it!) From the Information Centre Parc Natural, follow the forest track and then the path. You’ll arrive at Toll Blau and see its waterfalls from above (as in this photo).

how to get to Toll Blau

With the river at your left, follow the path parallel to the Vinalopó river, until you reach the Blanes factory.

how to get to Toll Blau -

The Blanes factory is the old building in the background. When you reach it, take the path to the left to descend to the river valley.

how to get to Toll Blau - path next to river

In the valley of the Vinalopó river, follow the path bordering the water. You will have to cross the river several times and jump over stones and fallen trees.

how to get to Toll Blau - seen from above

Walk for about 5 minutes along the riverside. You’ll arrive at Toll Blau and you’ll see the waterfalls and swimming hole from above. For the best views, you have to go down the waterfall wall and into the swimming hole.

river of Toll Blau - -Alicante

This is the view of the way you have come. The river does not have much flow. Where you see the backpack is one of the few places where you can stand or sit without getting wet.

Toll Blau - respect nature

To put a towel there is only one place and it is not comfortable at all! Avoid going in summer to avoid overcrowding the Toll Blau, since with 3 people it is already full.

Toll Blau waterfall see from the side

To see the waterfalls enter the natural pool. The water will reach your waist and it’s very cold.

Toll Blau waterfall see from the front

At the right side of the swimming hole, there is a stretch with a tiny ‘red earth roof’ under which you can sit in the shade. This is the deepest side of the natural pool.

Toll Blau waterfall see from the side

The water is crystal clear and you can see the bottom. There are plants and algae in the water on the left side, so it’s best to take the dip right in front of the waterfalls.

Toll Blau waterfall see from the side

The 4-meter moss wall of the waterfalls has ‘steps’ in places, but they can be quite slippery.

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WILD SWIMMING
IN ALICANTE

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HOW TO GET TO - Toll Blau

Getting There

Getting There

It’s not easy to get to Toll Blau for several reasons. It’s difficult to find, it’s not signposted and there are natural obstacles along the way. The Information Center of Parc Natural de la Serra de Mariola did not want to tell us where it is exactly. This place to swim has such little capacity that makes it vulnerable, so keep this in mind when going.

After walking several km along a forest track, you come to a wet furrow in the ground. This is the riverbed of the Vinalopó River. When you get to an abandoned building you have arrived at Blanes Factory (a flour and then paper factory). You will see a path on the left that goes down to the river. This is the path that runs parallel to the river and reaches the Toll Blau. You will get wet jumping from stone to stone, over a tree trunk and crossing the river several times. Toll Blau is the end of this narrow path.

The slopes of the riverbed become so steep next to Toll Blau, that a path is not possible. There is only room for about 3 persons in this swimming hole and its surroundings. If more people come to see the pool, you have to move out of the way to let them pass and there is nowhere to go. This makes this place to swim a very fragile place.

To see the waterfalls you must be inside the swimming hole. You have to go down a 4 m rock wall full of slippery moss. Wear booties or hold on tight and be very careful. Respect this environment so that it lasts.

Several hiking trails pass through the Toll Blau.

Transport Options

You will need a car to get both to the town of Banyeres de Mariola and the Information Centre of Parc Natural Serra de Mariola. From the Information Centre you can only walk or cycle along a forest track. Take the path parallel to the river until you get to Toll Blau. Motorized vehicles on this forest track are not allowed. You would need a permit from the Serra de Mariola Natural Park. Otherwise, you will risk getting a fine from SEPRONA.  

Parking

The closest car parks are a reasonable distance from the Toll Blau swimming hole. There is a car park in the town of Banyeres de Mariola and another one at the Information Centre of Parc Natural Serra de Mariola. Both are open 24×7. The path to Toll Blau is not signposted from any of these places.

Location

Spain, Alicante

Villages Nearby

Banyeres de Mariola is about 2.5 km from this waterfall for swimming (30 minutes walking) and Bocairent (8km)

Difficulty Level

It’s difficult to find. You have to cross the river several times, jump over several obstacles (such as tree trunks) and go down a slippery rock wall.

Walking Time to Swimming Spot

30 minutes if you park your car in the car park of the Information Centre of the Mariola Mountain Range.

Drinking Water Spots

None

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USEFUL INFORMATION - Toll Blau

Handy Things to Know

When to Go & Opening Times

This place to swim is open 24 hours a day. During the summer, due to its small capacity, it fills up quickly. We recommend going on other dates. This place to swim is always open and is spectacular any time of the year.

Entrance Fee

None

Activities

Facilities

Toll Blau does not have any services.

Kids

It's not recommended to go to Toll Blau with small children. Access to the waterfalls can be a bit dangerous even for adults.

Dogs

Yes

Skinny Dipping

No

Wheelchair Access

None

Restrictions

It’s forbidden to make fires, camping and litter.

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).

Managed by

City Hall responsible for Toll Blau – 965 58 33 01 Call for latest news & Covid

Things to Do – Toll Blau

Things to Do

Things to do near Toll Blau

Mariola Mountains Natural Park (Sierra de Mariola) is of great botanical interest. It has plenty of medicinal and aromatic plants, pine forest masses, oaks, maples, ashs and yews. It has several great hikes.

Font de la Coveta, also known as the source of the Vinalopó river, is the most famous spring in the area. Cold water appears from the floor of the small cave, although the true origin of the river is 6 km away. This hiking route goes from Banyeres de Mariola to Font de la Coveta.

You can also visit nearby towns.
Banyeres de Mariola has a beautiful castle and church. Near it, next to the Vinalopó river, is a recreational area called Molí L’ombria. It’s perfect to go with children.
Bocairent is famous for its Moorish caves (Covetes del Moros).
Ontinyent has a nice old quarter and a beautiful view from the Pont Vell or Santa Maria bridges to the coloured houses. You can take a walk along the river until you reach the Pou Clar.

 

Check out other amazing natural pools in the province of ALICANTE!

Guadalest Reservoir is the ideal lake to take a refreshing dip in an amazing natural setting.  The views from the lake to the mountains and its turquoise colour will surprise you.

Algar Waterfalls, close to Benidorm are the most beautiful waterfalls in Alicante. The crystalline natural pools in the river are ideal for having a picnic beside them.

The most beautiful natural pools in Alicante are Barranco de la Encantada and Pou Clar and Salt de Jijona.

To swim on the coast in Alicante, Cala Granadella, Cala Portitxol, Cala Ambolo and Cala Moraig are all amazing. They might 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.

Where to Eat

Banyeres de Mariola has restaurants and is the best place to eat.

There is almost no space to sit next to Toll Blau pool and waterfalls, so picnicking there is not a good idea. You can have a picnic among the trees of the Sierra de Mariola itself (about 150 meters or more from the Toll Blau), but you’ll have to sit on the ground.

Accommodation

Look for accommodation in the nearest urban area (Banyeres de Mariola 2.5 km, Bocairent 17.5 km, Ontinyent 26 km).

Geography

Altitude

30 m. (98 ft)

Size

Small pool of about 8 m long and 4 m wide. Several small waterfalls (about 4 m) trickle down the rock wall of the swimming hole.

Under Foot

At the edge of the waterfalls, there is earth and rock. The waterfalls flow down a steep rock wall with moss that can be quite slippery.

Maximum Water Depth

The depth is about 100-150 cm or less in 95% of the pool. So you can easily stand inside most of the swimming hole. In the remaining 5% (on the left side) the water is deeper than 2 m.

Minimum Swimming Level

You can stand on most of the swimming hole except on a small area under the steep mountain. So if you do not know how to swim, enter carefully.

Shade

Around 1 pm the shadow takes over the entire pool and waterfalls. One side of the riverbed has a very steep slope. Come early if you want to enjoy the pool and waterfalls in the sun.

How Clean is the Swimming Spot?

The site is pristine as it's a place where few people get to.

Water

Underwater

There is good visibility (around 5m). You can see small fish underwater.

Water Temperature

Very cold even in summer

Water Colour

Crystal clear turquoise with a green-blue colour.

How Clean is the Water?

Very clean and transparent
WILD SWIMMING
IN ALICANTE

 Wild-swimming-in-the-ocean--beaches-and-coves

Check out the best Wild Swimming spots on the COAST!

Cala Granadella
Cala Portitxol
Playa del Carabassí

Keep it Clean!

The Rules

Clean the swimming holes!

Swimming Safety

Read these Tips
&
be Safe
when Wild Swimming

DESTINATIONS

UK
Spain
Bali
Belize
Mexico
Trinidad and Tobago
Costa Rica
India
Martinique

SWIMMING SPOTS

Best places to swim in nature in the world

Check out the best places to go wild swimming, by the TYPE of swimming spot

Swimming Holes
Lakes
Rivers
Waterfalls
Sea

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