Greenway of the Serpis River

The old railway line from Alcoy to Gandía

Between Alcoy, in the province of Alicante, and Gandía in the province of Valencia, a railway line was built in 1892 to transport precious raw materials and develop the industrial fabric of the area. This railway, known by the name of the English, was active until 1969, when it fell into disuse. Nowadays, its approximately 54 km of route have been partly adapted for the use and enjoyment of walkers and cyclists. Specifically, the Serpis River Greenway includes the steep section that separates the towns of Lorcha in Alicante and Villalonga in Valencia, with a route of just over 13 km, without taking into account the return journey.

Where the Serpis River Greenway begins

As it is a linear route between two municipalities, we have the possibility of starting the route wherever it suits us best. In addition, in the case of Villalonga-Vilallonga there are several starting points that shorten the total route. It is true that in general the usual starting point for this greenway is the old Lorcha-L'Orxa station.​

How to get to Villalonga

To get to Villalonga we can do it from Gandía itself or even from Lorcha itself. Once there, there is no specific parking area for the route, in fact we can drive up the course of the river Serpis following the road that leads to some old quarries and once there park and start the route. Alternatively, on the opposite side of the river, you can drive your vehicle to almost the end of the asphalted track and from there link up with the greenway route, although this option does not provide as many parking facilities for your vehicle.

Enter your place of departure

How to get to Lorcha

As we have already mentioned, it is more common, for various reasons, to start the route from the town of Lorcha in Alicante. To get there we can do it from Villalonga or also from Alcoy, more specifically from Muro de Alcoy, passing through Beniarrés and its Encantado ravine. It is on this road, just before reaching Lorcha and crossing the river Serpis, where the turn-off awaits us that takes us to the old Lorcha train station, just at the foot of the ruins of the castle of Perputxent. There is a large parking area where we can start the route without any complications.

Enter your place of departure

Itinerary of the Greenway of the Serpis River

From L'Orxa station to the Factory of l'Infern 5.4 km

The remains of the old Lorcha station (0h 00min) mark the starting point of this route along the Serpis river greenway. We leave behind the route that comes from Alcoy to head towards the banks of the river Serpis, under the watchful eye of the impregnable castle of Perputxent. In this first part of the route the route runs along the left bank of the river.

This part of the Infern ravine, not to be confused with the Laguar ravine, becomes more spectacular with every step we take. Here you will come across beautiful spots such as the Assut del Forn or de l'Infern, an old dam that still survives the river's ravages. After a while we leave the greenway for a moment to cross the riverbed and approach the old factory of l'Infern (1h 15min).

From the Factory of l'Infern to the Factory of Racó del Duc 2 Km

After visiting this old mill, which was converted into a power station in 1895, we continue our route along the right bank of the river, as the old railway line crossed this side of the river over a bridge that has now collapsed. The different informative signs enliven the route as they explain the history of the different places we visit. The La Garrofera halt or the Caseta Moru are some of them, without forgetting the different tunnels that we will pass through on our way. A beautiful route that takes us to the Racó del Duc factory (1h 45min), although this construction is far from the official route and cannot be visited.

From the Racó del Duc Factory to the Assut de l'Esclapissada 2 Km

After contemplating from afar the buildings that, according to the signposting on the site, correspond to the old factory, we continue along the route. The different tunnels alternate, some of them quite impressive, and you will even have the opportunity to avoid going through the longest tunnel, as you can follow a path that avoids it. This path also allows us to see the ruins of the Factory of La Mare de Deu a little closer.

Further on, when you reach the area around the Factory of Centim, the path forks. On one side we can go up the cemented path that takes us to some old quarries, one of the starting points of the greenway of the river Serpis from Villalonga. From there, follow the road that leads to the town. Alternatively, continue along the railway line that takes you quickly to the waterfall known as Assut de l'Esclapissada (2h 15min).​

Del Assut de l'Esclapissada a Villalonga 3.6 Km

It is at this point that many people end the route and return to Lorcha, but not before coming to the ruined railway bridge that used to cross the river. There are also those who continue towards Villalonga, either along the left side of the river, crossing the narrow footbridge that crosses it and following the dirt track that leads to Villalonga (3h 00min), or along the other route that passes through the quarry, which we can take from the vicinity of the demolished bridge and which is somewhat longer than the other one. This option avoids crossing the footbridge, which for many people can be difficult due to its narrowness, height and the apparent fragility of the netting that acts as a handrail.

Coordinates UTM Datúm WGS84

Profile of the Serpis River Greenway

Cartography

This schematic with the path is approximate and has been created from the derived cartographic base © Instituto Geográfico Nacional "Cuadrante 795-4 1:25.000".