This is one of the most spectacular mountainous areas of the Valencian Community, between the regions of Vall d'Albaida and L'Alcoià, where the historical artistic core of Bocairent and the surroundings of the Natural Park of the Font Roja d'Alcoy will not leave you indifferent.

THE PRICE INCLUDES:

- ROUND TRIP SERVICE PLACE OF ACCOMODATION - ALCOY - BOCAIRENTE - PLACE OF ACCOMODATION.

- GUIDED ROUTE.

- TYPICAL LOCAL MEAL.

- TICKET TO THE CASTLE.

PRICE:  89€ PER PERSON (minimum 2 people).

*15% off for groups.

In order to apply the group discount, make your reservation by e-mail on: info@whattodoinvalencia.com

MEETING POINT: PLACE OF ACCOMODATION.

DURATION:  8H (flexible schedule).

The Ice Houses Route has its origin in the snow trade that until the middle of the 19th century was based on the ice which accumulated in the mountain areas. This trade had a first peak in classical antiquity with the Greeks and Romans, but was restricted to the powerful social strata. Its use in Europe declined during the Middle Ages, although it continued to be used in the eastern and southern shores of the Mediterranean. Later, the cold trade was reactivated, launched by the therapeutic uses that Renaissance medicine publicized until reaching a great development between the 16th and 19th centuries. In the Mediterranean world the most usual technique was the conservation of the snow fallen during the winter in the deposits of the mountains, until spring and summer times, when it was transported to the cities to be sold in iceries. In the case of Alcoy, eventually led to the birth of the famous refrigerator industry of Jijona and surroundings.

Our start will take place in the natural park of Carrascal de la Font Roja d'Alcoy. It is so named because an important part of the park is covered by an oak forest, although due to climatic differences there are diverse ecosystems in it. Here we will do a small route of low difficulty of about 7.5 km and a vertical drop of 350 meters, lasting approximately 2 or 3 hours. On the climb to the top of Pic del Menejador (1,365 m.), we will stop at the Colada Gelada and shortly after at Pla de la Mina, where there is a reproduction of a lime oven. Further on the right, we will find the Pilatos viewpoint, with excellent views of the Serra de Mariola and the Polop River Valley. We will pass by the Mas de Tetuán, an example of traditional agricultural exploitation, and then we will arrive at Cava Coloma, an old building whose purpose was to store and conserve ice. Continuing along the forest track, we will reach the Cim del Menejador, from where you can see the Mediterranean Sea. On the way back we will recover our strength with a typical local meal and we will go directly to the town of Bocairent.

In this beautiful town called Bocairent (Bocairente) we will first see the Barrio de la Villa, with its old part of the town on the top of a hill, with narrow and irregular streets, which indicates its Islamic origin. Then, we will descend by the North face of the village, leaving on the left-hand side an impressive panoramic of an underground convent of the middle of the 16th century and a bridge composed by an ogival arch of stone of masonry to facilitate the access to the hermitage of Santo Cristo, of which receives its name. Then we arrive at the set called Covetes dels Moros, declared of Cultural Interest in 1931. It is a group of artificial caves in the shape of window holes, hanging in the middle of a rocky cliff. There are also other small groups at the head of the Clariano River, but this one is the best known and most studied. Its origin goes back to the Visigothic period, although its realization and its exact use is still unknown.

Approaching the end of the trip, next to Les Covetes, we will visit the interior of the Cava de Sant Blai, embedded in the North face of the hill that dominates the village, accessing to it through a small cave. This "ice house" of the 17th century was used as a well of snow until the 20th century and at the present time it houses an interpretation centre on the economic importance of snow.