On our way to Benissa we wanted to stop by the Cova Tallada, which has been on our list of spots to explore for years. Reaching the cave involves a beautiful coastal hike, making this one of those rare instances when the journey really is half the fun.
The Cova Tallada is no “hidden secret”, so if you want to avoid the crowds and the requirement to register your visit beforehand, plan your visit for the winter months, like we did. That means no swimming at the coves along the way, or inside the caves, but this special spot is at its best when you’re not sharing it with huge crowds.
If you want the full experience, park your car in Dénia and follow the hiking path called Les Rotes to the caves. Alternatively, you can cut the hike in half by parking at Aparcamiento Las Rotas; you’ll get the same natural beauty with much less effort. Just make sure not to miss out on spending time in the lovely town of Dénia.
The caves are unique in that they’re partly man-made. For centuries they were used to extract stone for buildings in Dénia and nearby Xàbia. That’s why the inside of the cave sometimes almost feels sculpted, if you look closely you can even see tool marks on the walls and ceiling. Hence, the name: Cova Tallada means carved cave.
After visiting the caves, if your urge for exploration hasn’t been sated yet, you can a add a detour and walk over to Molinos De La Plana: a set of old windmill towers right behind Xàbia.
Then you can cut back onto the higher planes (Plana de Sant Jeroni) to gain great views over the the sea. While here, keep an eye out for the Torre del Gerro, a 16th-century coastal watchtower.
With all these different options and variations there’s no excuse to not put on your hiking boots and explore this fascinating area, just a short drive south of Valencia. If you do plan on visiting in the summer, though, don’t forget to register for a permit.
From our Travel Blog.
