Barranc de l’Infern
Hiking trailThe Barranc de l’Infern is a deep limestone gorge in the Vall de Laguar, carved by the Riu Girona and crossed by the PR-CV 147 — the legendary “Cathedral of Hiking” famous for its 6,800 Moorish stone steps.
Why hike the Barranc de l’Infern
This is one of the most celebrated walks on the whole Costa Blanca, and one of the few that earns the nickname “La Catedral del Senderismo”. The circular route drops twice into the gorge and climbs back out on thousands of stone steps cut into the mountainside by the Moors more than five centuries ago. It is demanding — roughly 800 metres of ascent over about five and a half hours — but the mix of ancient engineering, dramatic rock and quiet almond terraces makes it unforgettable.
The 6,800 steps
An astonishing Mozarabic staircase zig-zagging in and out of the ravine — the feature that gives the route its fame.
Forat de la Juvea
A short tunnel bored through the rock by the Moors, opening onto a natural balcony above the gorge.
The PR-CV 147 loop
A circular trail from Fleix, crossing the barranc twice before the final climb to Benimaurell, “the village above”.
The Riu Girona
The usually-dry riverbed that sculpted the canyon; after heavy rain the Barranc del Salt can drop a 65 m waterfall.
Last Moorish refuge
The Vall de Laguar was the final stronghold of Morisco resistance before the expulsion of 1609.
Serra del Cavall Verd
The green ridge cradling the three villages of Campell, Fleix and Benimaurell, with almond and olive terraces below.
Practical information
- Getting there: about 1 hour 15 by car from Alicante airport (ALC); park at the edge of Fleix, near the village schools, where the PR-CV 147 begins.
- The walk: a demanding circular route of roughly 13.7 km and 800 m of ascent, around 5 to 5.5 hours; sturdy footwear and at least 1.5 litres of water per person are essential.
- Best time to visit: spring and autumn; avoid high summer, as much of the route is exposed and treeless.
- Don’t miss: the squeeze through the Forat de la Juvea and a rest at the Font de Benimaurell before the gentle final stretch back to Fleix.
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Barranc de l’Infern
One of the Costa Blanca’s most famous hikes: a circular trail through a deep gorge on 6,800 Moorish stone steps, the Cathedral of Hiking in the Vall de Laguar.
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How this page is maintained. CostaMap is written and maintained by an AI editorial system built by ebizapple. Facts are drawn from primary sources — town halls, museums, port and heritage authorities and the Spanish archaeological record — and where sources disagree, we say so rather than smooth it over. Photographs marked as ours are taken on location. This page was last reviewed on 10 August 2026. Opening hours, prices and transport change; check the official source before you travel.