5000 STEPS

 This is a pretty unique walking route, not really for the fainthearted, as the name suggests.It is also steeped in history and legend, although there is little left to show visitors of its historic past.Known as the Valley of Laguar, this area is composed of three villages: Campell, Fleix and Benimaurell,which are surrounded by other abandoned villages and ancient trails that you can cross to take you through the surrounding scenery, which is made up of high mountain walls, caves and canyons formed by the river Girona all shrouded in shrubs and small trees. The walk is difficult in terms of  length (14Km.) but relatively easy in the sense that there are no steep climbs. The best bit about following this trail is ascending and descending the 5000 steps, which make the walk easier. These steps were carved into the rock by Moors who sought refuge  from the Christian army of Filipe 111  during the Reconquest.This place is the last Moorish stronghold in Spain before their expulsion.
The whole walk takes about 5 1/2 hours and is circular. Our starting point is from the village of Benimaurell .
A must do walk.

DISTANCE 13.3km WALKING TIME 4 1/4 hrs ASCENT 1035mtrs GRADE S

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VAL DE LAGUART. LOWER BARRANCO DE L´ INFERN (2000 steps)

Into a local “Grand” canyon, not quite as large, long or deep, but grand enough and similar in that you start off high and walk down low, meanwhile trying not to forget the extent of the climb back up. Starting from the remote mountain village of Benimaurell, along a charming, winding country lane to near Fleix and then down a beautifully engineered old “mozarabic” mule path, once one of the country’s main roads, to the usually dry bed of the Riu Ebo.
Becoming wilder and less frequented as you walk “upstream” along a path and streambed into the ever-narrowing spectacular gorge of l Infern, finally blocked to walkers by a series of high, narrow usually dry waterfalls and pools. Then back a bit and a steep climb out of the gorge up a poor path to join another mule path, which takes you in easy zig, zags up 200 meters to the top of seemingly unscalable cliffs. From now on easy walking to Font d’els Olbi and down the surfaced road to Benimaurell and the Oasis Bar or the nearby new “walkers” hotel.
2016 WARNING: The part of the walk starting just after streambed is eroded and dangerous.  If you choose  to do this walk, take extra caution on this stretch. DO NOT ATTEMPT WHEN WET AFTER RAIN.

 DISTANCE 10.8km.WALKING TIME  31/2 hrs ASCENT 489mtrs GRADE moderate

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VAL DE LAUGAR -CAVALL VERDE RIDGE-DOS FUENTES

Caballo Verde Ridge : often referred to as the "Caball Vert" ridge. According to the map the real name is the Sierra del Penyo Roig (Range of the red rock) The Caballo Verde is actually the eastern most part of this 6km long ridge); also called the "Serra del Penyal de Laguart".This walk takes you over 3.2Km. of the ridge, then along Mozarabic paths, through cherry tree plantations (beautiful whenin flower in early to mid April), passing interesting hilltop restaurant and back to Benimaurell.A strenuous walk which can be shortened by skipping summit of Vaballo Verde.

DISTANCE 13.2km. WALKING TIME 4hrs. ASCENT 569mtrs. GRADE medium

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BARRANCO D'INFERNO

A walk with a bit of everything. Nice leg stretcher start on scenic track, 2 hour barranco walk, into Vall d’Ebo (for break before final push if needed), and pleasant ridge walk to end lovely day.

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DISTANCE 17.7km WALKING TIME 5 hrs ASCENT   703mtrs. GRADE Difficult