# The Caves and Montcabrer Route, the Roof of the Mariola A loop on the GR-7 and PR-CV 27 past snow wells up to Montcabrer, at 1,390 m · 36.3 km and 10 h, or 15 km from the Font de Mariola · hard. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/valencian-community/bocairent/things-to-do/caves-and-montcabrer-route · Revisado: 2026-11-13 Dónde: Bocairent Montcabrer, at 1,390 metres, is the highest summit of the Serra de Mariola, and the route published by Bocairent's tourist office reaches it by the most interesting way: that of the cavas, the stone snow wells where the mountain's ice was stored. It is a demanding circular route. In full, from the village, it is 36.3 km and about ten hours; if you start at the Font de Mariola recreation area, it is 15 km. ## From the village to the heart of the mountains The full route sets off from Bocairent's football ground, at 626 metres, and climbs along the track of the Terrers farmhouse to the pass. From there it follows the waymarks of the GR-7, the long-distance footpath whose stage 32 in the Comunitat Valenciana is here. It passes the hermitage of Santa Bàrbara, with the Plà spring and a centuries-old poplar, and the farmhouses of Mingol and Bassa Roja as far as the campsite. It reaches the Font de Mariola recreation area, leaving the Alt and the Mariola castle on the right. ## The snow wells, one after another From the Mas dels Arbres spring the best part begins. About 200 metres to the left, a path leads to the Cava de Don Miguel, with enormous buttresses. Back on the main track, the climb passes the Cava del Buitre and, higher up, the Cava Gran or Cava Arqueada; a few metres away are the Centre Excursionista d'Alcoi refuge, the Cava de la Habitació and the summit of the Teix. They are the other face of the village's Cava de Sant Blai. According to the tourist office, between the 17th and 19th centuries the snow trade gave work to day labourers, muleteers and merchants: up here the wells were filled in winter and, in the heat, the muleteers brought the ice down to sell it. If you do the route, visit the village's cava first, which you can see inside, to understand what you will find in the mountains. ## The summit and the descent To climb Montcabrer you take the PR-CV 27, which shares a few metres with the GR-7. The return follows the PR-CV 57 eastwards, past the Mas de la Foia Ampla, to the Font de Mariola. If you set out from the village, from there you still have the way back to Bocairent, which is included in the 36.3 km. ## Ten hours or half The full route is for fit walkers and long days: in autumn and winter there is not enough daylight to do it unhurried. The variant from the Font de Mariola, 15 km, suits almost everyone; the recreation area is reached by car from Bocairent in about 20 minutes. The tourist office names springs along the way, such as the Plà, the Mariola and the Mas dels Arbres, but does not say whether the water is drinkable: carry all the water you will drink. The mountains are a Natural Park. For the state of the paths, the rules and fire-risk restrictions in summer, ask at the Serra de Mariola Natural Park Interpretation Centre, on 965 937 961, or at Bocairent's Tourist Info. ## Paso a paso ### 0 h · Bocairent football ground Set off along the track of the Terrers farmhouse towards the pass. ### The GR-7 · The hermitage of Santa Bàrbara The Plà spring and a centuries-old poplar. A good place for the first rest. ### The farmhouses · Mingol and Bassa Roja The path passes by them as far as the campsite. ### Font de Mariola · Start of the short variant Recreation area. The 15 km route starts here if you come by car. ### Mas dels Arbres · The Cava de Don Miguel A 200-metre detour to the left to see its buttresses. ### Up the track · Cava del Buitre and Cava Gran The two big snow wells, one after the other, and the C. E. d'Alcoi refuge. ### PR-CV 27 · Montcabrer summit 1,390 metres, the highest point of the Mariola. ### PR-CV 57 · Back to the Font de Mariola Eastwards, past the Mas de la Foia Ampla. ## Qué llevar - Two litres of water or more per person - Mountain boots - Food for the whole day - Map or downloaded track - A windproof for the summit - Head torch if you do the full route ## Consejos ### Start at the Font de Mariola You save about 21 km and keep the best: the snow wells and the summit. ### Go to the Cava de Sant Blai first It is short and can be visited inside, in the village: that way you know what you will see in the mountains. ### Check the fire risk in summer The Park Interpretation Centre tells you whether there are restrictions. ### Sleep in Bocairent With the full route, setting off at dawn from the village is what makes it possible. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How long is the caves and Montcabrer route? 36.3 km circular from Bocairent, about 10 hours. From the Font de Mariola, 15 km. ### How hard is it? High, according to Bocairent's tourist office, with altitudes from 626 to 1,390 metres. ### Which trails does it follow? The GR-7 on its stage 32, the PR-CV 27 for the summit and the PR-CV 57 for the return. ### Which caves can I see? The Cava de Don Miguel, the Cava del Buitre, the Cava Gran or Arqueada and the Cava de la Habitació. ### Is there water on the way? There are springs, but the tourist office does not say whether they are drinkable. Bring your own water. ### Where do I park for the short variant? At the Font de Mariola recreation area, about 20 minutes by car from Bocairent.