Salem: Hiking Trails, Heritage and Festivals
Accommodation in Salem
Explore Salem through its landscapes, traces of past uses and festivals held at set times of year. For your travel planning, it is worth distinguishing between these highlights: the SL-CV 140 is described as an easy trail, while the routes on Benicadell also include challenging options. Historic sites such as ice houses, a mill and a castle offer a different focus from the seasonal festivals.
Hiking between Benicadell and Foia de Salem
The signposted SL-CV 140 passes through the former Muslim gardens of Foia de Salem and a landscape thousands of years old, with an exceptional hydraulic heritage planned by Muslims. The SL-CV 140 is considered easy and is suitable for all audiences. Check trail conditions before setting out.
The landscape of Foia de Salem includes numerous springs. They are considered visible expressions of aquifers beneath the region’s limestone mountains. Along this trail, you will encounter not only traces of historic garden use, but also springs that make the hydraulic heritage visible in the landscape.
Benicadell is part of the natural landscape of Salem and its surroundings. Several trails lead to its summit, including challenging routes. The area is suitable for hiking, climbing and mountain biking.
Historic Trails and Buildings
The Senda dels Nevaters (SL-CV 122) leads to the former Castellet or Barcella ice house, at 706 metres, and the Paller ice house, at 756 metres above sea level. Ice was stored there and later distributed to neighbouring villages. The two sites illustrate a former use of the mountain landscape: the ice houses were used not only to store ice, but also to supply it to surrounding places. This gives the trail a different focus from the SL-CV 140, which passes through the former gardens and hydraulic heritage of Foia de Salem.
Barranc de les Coves is also associated with archaeological heritage. The Barranc de les Coves site, also known as Dalt de l’Almud, Abrigo I, was entered in the General Inventory of Valencian Cultural Heritage as an archaeological zone in 2011, following an agreement of the Consell. The circular route at Barranc de les Coves can be visited as part of a guided tour arranged in advance. You can see the caves up close and learn about their history.
Castell de la Barcella is a small Islamic fortress dating from the 12th century. From the 11th to the 13th century, it occasionally served as a watch and signal post. The MolĂ de la Font del Cantal reflects a different kind of historic use: its origins date back to the time of the Moors, and the mill acquired its present form through alterations made between the 17th and 19th centuries.
The Pont del MolĂ is next to the mill. Its round arch crosses the Barranc de la Font del Cantal. Together, the castle, mill and bridge represent different aspects of the built heritage: a former watch and signal role, a mill with several construction phases, and a bridge spanning the stream.
Festivals Throughout the Year
Salem’s main patron saint festivals take place every year from 13 to 29 September in honour of San Miguel, San Roque, the Divina Aurora and Cristo de la Paz. The dates are fixed; the exact programme may vary. If you want to plan your trip around these festivals, check the dates and programme for the relevant year before making arrangements.
Another festival takes place in July: the traditional Festes de Moros i Cristians are celebrated on the second weekend of July in honour of the Mare de DĂ©u del Rosari and the Divina Aurora. The two festival periods provide different reference points for planning your trip: the patron saint festivals take place in September, and the Moros i Cristians in July. The programme for the relevant year remains the key to making specific plans.
Discover more destinations: Mareny de Barraquetes, Sinarcas, Otos, Alcà ntera De Xúquer, Novelé, Teresa De Cofrentes, Canet D'en Berenguer, Carlet
For the broader travel overview: Valencia.
