Heritage routes
Walking allows us to observe, enjoy what we see, imagine and dream. Sant Joan d’Alacant, a crossroads territory since the 13th century, currently offers visitors a large number of historical paths through the Huerta, bringing us closer to this mythical natural and cultural landscape, teaching us the rural and urban heritage of the 16th to 19th centuries. .
We propose a series of walks through Sant Joan d’Alacant so you can enjoy our places.
There is no better way to discover who we are than to walk the places that surround us.
Route 1. Torres de la Huerta
The Torres de la Huerta were built between the 16th and 17th centuries in the prosperous Alicante Huerta. From the towers, the inhabitants of the region were alerted when attacks by Berber piracy occurred, very frequent in the mid-15th century, and throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. The ingenious defensive system with the watchtowers on the coast, simulated an invisible wall, which communicated with the towers of the Huerta.
In Sant Joan there are currently four towers, they are Ansaldo, La Cadena, Salafranca and Bonanza. In addition, Alicante has nineteen towers and Mutxamel has another three. Despite being declared a Site of Cultural Interest, their state of conservation is very uneven, some are restored and others are in advanced deterioration. Most are privately owned, but some belong to local administrations or are integrated into churches, such as in Santa Faz or the Church Tower in Mutxamel. Nowadays you cannot visit the interior of any tower without some type of permit.
It is a very extensive route, about 24 and a half kilometers, so it is advisable to do the route by bicycle, although if you have enough time you can also walk it for between six and eight hours, or complete it in stages. At the moment the bike lane is not enabled on the entire itinerary, so visitors must be careful and respect traffic rules. The route is done through urban and interurban terrain, crossing forest tracks and unpaved roads, then less experienced cyclists may have to get off the bike and walk for short stretches. Avoid the middle of the day, don’t forget water, provisions and appropriate clothing. Once everything is ready, you can enjoy this wonderful experience.
Route 2. Camino de Lloixa and Colada de Coix
Through this gentle route you will travel the Camino de Lloixa, a medieval route that appears mentioned in ancient documents, as early as the year 1300. During the itinerary you will be able to see some geographical landmarks of Sant Joan, such as the Bonanza and Salafranca Towers, belonging to the Torres de la Huerta complex. You will also find interesting examples of our religious architecture, such as the hermitage of Santa Ana, that of Calvari and the mythical Convent of Santa Faz. At Mount Calvari and Colada de Coix, you will see some of the most representative points of the Alicante orography.
It is a short itinerary, about three kilometers, ideal for walking. It must be taken into account that the route is made through mountains and traditional paths. Some streets do not have sidewalks, sharing lanes with vehicles. Although traffic is usually light, it is advisable to keep an eye out for cars. Avoid the middle of the day, don’t forget water, provisions and appropriate clothing. It is an ideal route for a family audience. Enjoy the ride.
Route 3. Paths of Sant Joan
Bordering Sant Joan d’Alacant we find mythical paths such as the Princesa, the Vereda de San Juan, Palmeretes, the Campet, the Benimagrell path, the Lloixa camí and the Serení camí. This itinerary links all these traditional paths.
During the tour you will be able to see some of the most important Villas of Sant Joan, such as La Princesa, Lo de Bellón (Outside, Middle and Inside), Finca Abril, Finca Capucho, Nazareth or Finca El de Conde, among others. Along the way you will also be able to see six towers belonging to the group of Huerta towers, declared a site of cultural interest. These are La Cadena tower, Soto tower, Santa Faz tower, Bonanza tower, Salafranca tower and Ansaldo tower. Religious architecture is also present, including the hermitage of San Roque, the monastery of Santa Faz, the remains of the hermitage of Villa Flora and the hermitage of Santa Ana.
The landscape accompanies much of the route. On the Benimagrell path you can see one of the few agricultural spaces that are still active within the municipality, and from Mount Calvari, you will enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Alicante conurbation and its coast.
It is a twelve kilometer route, so it can be done on foot or by bicycle. The bike lane is not enabled on the entire itinerary, so visitors must be careful and respect traffic rules, especially in sections where cars, pedestrians and cyclists share the same road. The bike lane is not enabled on the entire itinerary, so visitors must be careful and respect traffic rules, especially in sections where cars, pedestrians and cyclists share the same road…. We encourage you to learn a little about the history of this wonderful territory while doing one of the healthiest and most inspiring activities that exists, walking.
Route 4. Walk through Sant Joan
We propose an itinerary through the heart of Sant Joan d’Alacant. Through this tour you will visit the most important places in the history of Sant Joan.
Thanks to its layout you will enjoy its fabulous farms and country houses, such as Villa Ramona, Nazareth, Buena Vista farm or Prytz house, El Jabalí, La Concepción, Manzaneta or the El Reloj farm. The defensive architecture is also present, since the path runs through three Torres de la Huerta, declared a Site of Cultural Interest. These are the Bonanza tower, the Salafranca tower and the Torre de la Santa Faz, integrated into the monastery of the same name. As examples of religious buildings, in addition to the aforementioned temple, you can also visit various hermitages such as the hermitage of San Roque, that of Mare de Déu de Loreto, that of Sant Ana, that of Calvari, or the church of San Juan Bautista, the building most important religious of Sant Joan.
The route connects different parks and emblematic squares, the municipal garden, the Town Hall square, the San Luis park, the gardens of La Concepción and Manzaneta, Monte Calvari, the gardens of the El Reloj estate, the orchard of the Giants and the Josep Carreras square. Also, walking through the historic center and the Rambla, you can enjoy our hospitality and fabulous commerce.
It is a ten-kilometer route that runs through the city center, ideal for walking. Discover our town and wonderful people, we are waiting for you with open arms.
It is a short itinerary, about three kilometers, ideal for walking. It must be taken into account that the route is made through mountains and traditional paths. Some streets do not have sidewalks, sharing lanes with vehicles. Although traffic is usually light, it is advisable to keep an eye out for cars. The bike lane is not enabled on the entire itinerary, so visitors must be careful and respect traffic rules, especially in sections where cars, pedestrians and cyclists share the same road…. It is an ideal route for a family audience. Enjoy the ride.
Route 5. Walk through Sant Joan from Muchavista
We propose an itinerary through the heart of Sant Joan d’Alacant. Through this tour you will visit the most important places in the history of Sant Joan.
Formerly the Camí de la Alquería del Canonge connected Sant Joan d’Alacant town with the beach. With this route we recover the traditional paths of this environment, leaving the sea behind and entering what were once fertile crop fields, from the enclave of Cuatre Camins, passing through the Camí del Campet and Palmeretes, La Princesa or the Camí del Serení, to end by delving into the heart of the urban area of Sant Joan.
During the tour you will learn about the history of important Villas such as Palmeretes, the Abril farm, La Princesa, Lo de Bellón, Casa Conde La Concepción, Manzaneta, the El Reloj farm and the Pedro José farm, among others. The path goes around three towers of La Huerta belonging to the Modern Age, declared Assets of Cultural Interest (BIC). These are Ansaldo tower, Bonanza tower and Salafranca tower. As examples of religious architecture you will find the Virgen del Rosario or Fabraquer hermitage, the Santa Ana hermitage, the remains of the Villa Flora hermitage, the San Roque hermitage, and the church of San Juan Bautista, one of the most representative monuments of our people.
You can also enjoy the outdoors along the paths that surround the historic center of Benimagrell, and from Mount Calvari you will contemplate the spectacular views of Alicante and its coast. Other parks and gardens of La Concepción and Manzaneta stand out, or those of the Pedro José estate. Our commerce and hospitality await you on the promenade and the town centre. The streets of the center are very lively during most of the day.
It is a fourteen kilometer circular route, which can then be done on foot or by bicycle. The bike lane is not enabled on the entire itinerary, so visitors must be careful and respect traffic rules, especially in sections where cars, pedestrians and cyclists share the same road. Avoid the middle of the day, do not forget water, provisions and appropriate clothing. It is recommended to make a stop to eat in the town and enjoy our tasty and varied local cuisine, the offer of which you will find on our website, under “Discover”. Once you have regained your strength, you can head back to the beach.
Route 6. El Campello and Camí Reial of Vila Joiosa
To go to Sant Joan through El Campello you can use numerous routes, but if you go along the Camí Reial de la Vila Joiósa, you will enjoy a picturesque route and learn about countless passages in history that you have probably never heard of.
From the Heart of El Campello, you can start from the Auditori Cultural Center, walking towards the Church of Santa Teresa. You will end up going down towards the Montnegre river or Seco river along a path with numerous small houses. When you cross it you will get curious panoramic views of the coast and the arid river corridor. Once you have crossed the riverbed, you will pass through a residential area before reaching Villa Marco. In the fields of Fabraquer you will find gems such as Monsén Sáez or Finca Capucho, in a section of the route that is a true delight. After passing another residential strip you will reach the old town of Benimagrell, where they stand out Villa Ramona and the hermitage of San Roque, but without a doubt the most popular in the district are its bakeries, where you will taste its famous wood-fired bread, its cokes of various flavors such as cod and raisins or zarangollos and eggplants, its various pastas or its anise rolls.
After the six kilometers of travel, if you have a good background you can do the “Walk through Sant Joan” route (10 km) or “Caminos de Sant Joan” (12 km), in this case, only recommended for people used to doing long journeys. It can also be done by bicycle, but the bike lane is not enabled on the entire itinerary, so you must be careful and respect traffic rules. Avoid the middle of the day, do not forget water, provisions and appropriate clothing. When the road whets your appetite you can enjoy a wide variety of bars and restaurants in the center, there you will find an attractive offer adapted to all budgets and palates. You can see the wide gastronomic selection and workshops on our website, in “Discover”.