Walk Instructions – Gata: La Barraca & Barranco

Walk description       This circular walk takes its name from the ceramics shop (La Barraca), where it starts and the river Gorgos bed (Barranco). It passes the Vall de Cavall restaurant and horse stables onto a plateau which overlooks Montgo Mountain, the Javea campo and the Mediterranean Sea.

The route passes the Ermita (Benisaina) which is partly in Javea and borders the odd Dénia enclave which goes into Gata de Gorgos’s territory. The Ermita has been owned by 4 generations of the Mulet family from Gata. It has gables made from sailboat beams and a small bell tower. It also houses a RiuRau which is used to dry raisins and is a building typical of the Valencia region.

From the Ermita, the road becomes a track and crosses over following the right river bank and crosses back to the left bank over large boulders. It then follows the river bank, eventually circuiting the back of Vall de Cavall, rejoining the original road and retracing its route back.

Start & Parking          La Barraca Ceramic Shop  on the N332 outside Gata De Gorgos towards Benissa

Duration                      1:30 mins

Description                 Circular route in the Gata campo towards Javea then back along the barranco of the Gorgos.

Terrain                         Mostly on roads or rough paths. There is a short section across the bed of the barranco.

Distance                      5.5 kms

Elevation                    100m

 Route

1. Start at La Barraca Car park
2. Facing the quarry gorge take the 1^st LEFT and follow the road over the bridge, signed VALL DE CAVALL.
3. Follow the road, with good view of Montgo and Cabo San Antonio to your LEFT  and the Mediterranean AHEAD.
4.  Eventually you come to a small white house.
5. Turn LEFT down the hill.
6. Keep following the road as it winds down to the barranco  and becomes a rocky path.
7. Cross the river looking for the path on the other side marked by big concrete blocks.
8. Start going up the hill on the concrete path.
9. Look for a big tree and easy slope, go down here and follow the lower path on the edge of the barranco
10. Cross the “waterfall” where there are large boulders. Look for the path on the other side, ahead of you.
11. Follow the road and take the next LEFT,  AFTER the sign to Jardineria.
12. Follow the path until it appears to run out but veers LEFT up a hill behind Vall de Cavall Restaurant.
13. Follow the path to a T junction and turn RIGHT onto a path.
14. Eventually this joins to the original road. Turn RIGHT here.
15. Ahead there are views of La Barraca.
16. Follow the road, as it turns and crosses the bridge, back to the parking.
    

    Ermita de Benisaina