Salem offers everything from mountain trails and springs to historic buildings and festivals held during set periods. When planning your trip, it helps to choose your focus first: are you interested in trails through the landscape, the region’s history, or one of its traditional festivals? The different destinations and dates each give Salem its own distinctive character.
Hiking Trails, Elevations and Cultural Landscape
Benicadell is part of the natural landscape of Salem and its surroundings. Several trails lead to the summit, including challenging routes. The area offers opportunities for hiking, climbing and mountain biking. If you are planning a hike, you can choose from a variety of trails here; some are specifically described as challenging.
The signposted SL-CV 140 trail has a different profile. It is classified as low difficulty and considered suitable for all types of visitors. The route passes through the former Muslim gardens of Foia de Salem and a millennia-old landscape with an exceptional hydraulic heritage planned by Muslims. Check the trail conditions before setting out. This lets you factor the route description and local conditions into your plans.
The Senda dels Nevaters, SL-CV 122, leads to two former ice houses: Castellet, also known as Barcella, is at 706 metres, and Paller is at 756 metres above sea level. Ice was stored in such ice houses and later distributed to neighbouring villages. The two elevations distinguish the destinations precisely; their historical function also helps explain why these buildings are associated with the former use of ice.
Foia de Salem is also characterised by numerous springs. They are considered visible expressions of the aquifers beneath the region’s limestone mountains. The springs thus add to the picture of a landscape where natural features and inherited hydraulic heritage exist side by side.
There is a clear distinction when choosing a hiking theme: the SL-CV 140 is described as low difficulty, while Benicadell also has challenging summit routes. If you would rather focus your time on historic trail destinations, the Senda dels Nevaters leads to the former ice houses. These descriptions highlight different aspects of the trails without requiring you to combine them into a single hike.
Archaeological and Architectural Heritage
Barranc de les Coves, also known as Dalt de l’Almud, Abrigo I, is listed as an archaeological site in the General Inventory of Valencian Cultural Heritage. The listing dates back to a decision by the Consell in 2011. The circular route at Barranc de les Coves can be visited as part of a guided tour arranged in advance. You can see the caves up close and learn about their history; the tour must be arranged beforehand.
MolĂ de la Font del Cantal dates back to the Moorish period. It was remodelled into its present form between the 17th and 19th centuries. Next to the mill is Pont del MolĂ: a picturesque bridge with a semicircular arch spanning Barranc de la Font del Cantal. The mill and bridge represent two different aspects of architectural heritage—the development of a historic building and a specific crossing over the barranc.
Castell de la Barcella is a small Islamic fortress dating from the 12th century. Between the 11th and 13th centuries, it was occasionally used as a watch and signal post. Its size, date and former function give the building a different historical scale from the archaeological site at Barranc or the later remodelled mill.
Festivals and When to Visit
Salem’s main patron saint festivals take place from 13 to 29 September in honour of San Miguel, San Roque, the Divina Aurora and Cristo de la Paz. The exact programme may vary from year to year. Another traditional festival is Moros i Cristians: it is celebrated on the second weekend of July in honour of the Mare de Déu del Rosari and the Divina Aurora; the annual programme may also vary.
The two festival periods are clearly distinct: Moros i Cristians is held on the second weekend of July, while the main patron saint festivals run from 13 to 29 September. If you want a festival to be part of your trip, check the dates and programme for that year before making plans. For a stay focused on trails or heritage, you can instead use the routes and historic sites described here as a starting point for deciding on your trip. When looking for accommodation in Salem, it helps to first decide whether you want to focus your trip on the trails, historic sites or a festival.
Discover more destinations: Palma de GandĂa, La Portera, RĂłtova, Almussafes, Silla, Zarra, Campo Olivar, Corbera.
For the wider travel overview: Valencia.
