The route along the River Serpis is located very close to Gandia, on the border between the provinces of Valencia and Alicante, and is a fantastic hiking route that can be enjoyed with friends, as a couple, or with children. Are you a regular visitor on holiday in Gandia? Are you spending the weekend nearby and want to do something different? Then read on, because this will definitely interest you.
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The River Serpis
Over millions of years right up to the present day, the River Serpis has carved out a spectacular gorge, creating a truly beautiful landscape that can be enjoyed along a hiking trail known as the Serpis greenway. Also known as the route of the old “tren dels Anglesos”, it allows us to discover an important chapter in the history of our inland regions.
The railway that once ran through these very landscapes became a key driver for the industrial revolution across the whole region, with the city of Alcoy standing out as the principal landmark. If you enjoy adventure, get ready as we delve into landscapes such as the Barranc de l’Infern or the Sierra de Safor. The challenge starts here and now—are you ready for a fantastic time? Then read on.
The route
This is a linear, one-way trail around 13 kilometres long that lets you explore the historic railway section connecting the towns of l’Orxa↗ and Villalonga↗. While the route isn’t very long, splitting it across two days is recommended to fully appreciate everything surrounding you in the mountains.
Ideally, you would complete the first half starting in l’Orxa and do the second half the following day starting from Villalonga. Although we mentioned walking, you can also opt to go by bicycle or even by car. However, if you are only in the area for a single day, we recommend heading towards the Fàbrica de l’Infern↗ section and returning via the same path, which covers a round-trip distance of 10 kilometres.
Technical details of the route
This trail falls into the long category, so one to two days should be set aside to complete it. The difficulty level is rated between easy and moderate; the route is linear and covers a distance of 13 kilometres one way. It typically takes between 4 and 5 hours for a one-way trip, with an elevation gain of just over 200 metres.
Route description
The Serpis greenway spans the towns of Muro de Alcoi↗ and Gandia, connecting the provinces of Alicante and Valencia across a total length of around 40 kilometres. There are various sections, but the most famous is the 13-kilometre stretch connecting l’Orxa and Villalonga, which stands out for its extraordinary beauty and high ecological value.
We will take the old l’Orxa railway station as our starting point, located right below the Castell de Perputxent. We therefore start the route on a high note with a truly incredible view. As we move forward, we can see how the path of the greenway merges with that of the River Serpis and crosses the aforementioned Barranc de l’Infern, a uniquely beautiful area that has been designated a protected landscape.
Shortly afterwards, at around kilometre 5, we arrive at the Fàbrica de l’Infern, a hydroelectric plant that ceased operations many years ago. Continuing along the route, we reach an area well known in the region as ‘El Racó del Duc’, where an old hydroelectric plant also stood, using water from the river to power its generators.
We are now nearing the end of the route, although before reaching Villalonga we recommend stopping to admire the tunnels, as they are the longest along the journey and were built many years ago. In fact, their structure has been preserved, although today there is no traffic passing through them other than the route’s own visitors.
History of the railway route between Alcoy and Gandia
Taking this route is a wonderful experience because you come across the old railway track that ran between the towns of Alcoi↗ and Gandia. This railway line was opened in 1892, built to connect the growing industries of l’Alcoià and El Comtat with the nearest port facility in Gandia.
It is worth noting that Alcoi was one of the most prominent towns during the industrial revolution in the Comunitat Valenciana in the late 19th century. Having a direct connection to the port of Gandia was therefore essential. Furthermore, this train transported coal to power the steam engines of this industrial hub, alongside goods and raw materials needed for daily life at the time.
As a curious fact, the «Alcoy and Gandia Railway and Harbour Company Limited» was the company responsible for building and managing the line, which is why the service earned the nickname «el tren dels anglesos». The railway remained active until 1969, when it was dismantled due to low profitability after operating for 76 years.
Today, this route preserves the essence of what was once a bustling train line. A local association is even working to preserve its heritage by establishing a greenway along the entire route. Meanwhile, visitors can see first-hand where the locomotive travelled until just over 50 years ago.
In short, this route along the River Serpis has many unique features, and best of all, it can easily be done in a single day. This makes it an ideal activity for anyone spending a few days in Gandia who wants to try something beyond traditional sun-and-sand tourism.
How to get from Hotel Borgia to Villalonga to start the route↗
Route photos
