My name is Heidi and I come from Helsinki, Finland.
With my husband Olli-Pekka and our 3 dogs we live in Gran Alacant and enjoy the brilliant Mediterranean climate and possibility of discovering new hiking routes all over our Alicante province and sometimes even a bit further.
Ironically, I have a fear of heights, but I love the views from tops of the mountains too much to stay away. Our dogs are getting older so all the hikes need to be suitable for them too as they always go on our adventures with us. I also love photography and always take load of pictures from our hikes.
This destination was tipped to us by Alfonso Castro from Gran Alacant Insurances. We visited both places in November, but I’ve been saving this for summer months as it looks like a fabulous place to visit during hot summer days.
El Pou Clar
If you remember last months hike Barranc de Tarongers in Ontinyent, this is just a little bit down the road from that. El Pou Clar is a spring of groundwater located within the Natural Park of Serra de l’Ombria-Pou Clar. This spring is considered the source of the Clariano River.
There are number of natural pools formed by the water flowing over millions of years as it passes through steep limestone cliffs. Landscape is very picturesque. There is nice barbecue area in the park.
Each pool has its own name and its personality. There is Pou dels Esclaus with turbid and stagnant waters. El Pou Clar, which gives its name to the whole area which is a perfect place for fishing (the water is so clear you can see the fish). There’s Pou Gelat, where the coldest and transparent waters sprout. The Pou de la Reixa, the largest of all pools. There’s Pou Fosc with inverted bubble and underwater currents and the Pou dels Cavalls with its deep and calm waters.
Bocairent
And just few kilometres away is the lovely town of Bocairent which is built next to a ravine. It is breathtaking to see for the first time.
You can easily walk along Bocairent and stop for a snack and coffee in the center of old town. Or you can follow the route they have around the town. You can look at the different routes they have on their website: www.bocairent.org/tourcats/a-pie/
You are also able to visit the Moorish caves. There’ a little entrance fee and you should check when they are open if you wanna go there. We unfortunately visited the town on Monday when everything was closed. Dogs also not allowed to the caves, so we would have missed that anyway.
Check List:
Always when going on hikes check that:
Your Mobile Phone is fully charged
Water – climbing up is hard job & you will need it
Snacks (Remember to take all the garbage back down with you!)
Have good shoes for walking
Have small first aid kit with you
Have layered clothes. Up hill might be
– very windy and cold, even on a warm day.
– Coming down might be chilly, so extra dry
– t-shirt to change into if needed is not a bad idea
Always tell someone where you are going and when you’ll approx. be coming back
