# Walk from Xàtiva to the Cova Negra on the PRV-78 Flat PRV-78 path beside the irrigation channel to the Neanderthal site on the Albaida · 1 h 30 to 2 h each way · free. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/valencian-community/xativa/things-to-do/cova-negra-walk · Revisado: 2026-11-13 Dónde: Xàtiva The Cova Negra is the other Xàtiva, the one from tens of thousands of years ago. It is in the widest meander of the Albaida river, north of the city, where the river leaves the Estret de les Aigües after crossing the Serra Grossa. Neanderthals lived here during the Palaeolithic, and the site is key to understanding Mousterian culture. You reach it on foot from the old town along a flat path beside the irrigation channel, and the walk is worth as much as the cave. ## What the Albaida meander holds The cave is a Site of Cultural Interest. Human remains, paintings and objects ranging from pottery to fire-making tools have been found in it. The best-known piece, a Neanderthal parietal bone, is not here: its exact replica is in the Almodí Museum, so it is worth stopping at the museum before or after the walk to put a face to what you see in the countryside. The tourist office does not say that the inside of the cave can be visited; expect to see it from outside. The surroundings are the Cova Negra Municipal Natural Site, protected since 2006, of about 57 hectares along the valley. Riverside and mountain vegetation meet here: poplars and elms by the water and scrub on the slopes. Through the site run walking and mountain-bike routes that link the Casa de la Llum, the Xopà d'Alboi and the Arcadetes of the Albaida river, and the Aventador wall is climbed. ## Along the channel, without slopes The walking route is the PRV-78 trail. It starts at the 25-spout fountain, beside the Cocentaina gate, east of the old town, and follows the channel that supplied water to the city. It is waymarked and flat. It takes between an hour and a half and two hours to the cave, according to the tourist office; the return is by the same path, so reserve half a day. It is a good plan for days when the castle asks for too much climbing, or for the next morning if you sleep in Xàtiva. With children who walk, it works: there is no ascent and the end has a reward, a large cave above the river. ## By car, a quarter of an hour away If you prefer to shorten it, there are two access points by car: By the CV-610, towards Genovés: before the second roundabout, turn right towards the district of Alboi and then left, very sharply, towards the Alboi poplar grove. The car park is on the right bank of the Albaida and holds at least 40 cars. By the N-340, towards Bellús: near the Bixquert hermitage the Camí del Pont Sec leaves, leading to a small car park on the left bank, where the path starts. From the centre it is about 8 km and a good quarter of an hour. ## With a guide: the Petxina, Bellús water and the Casa de la Luz Love Xàtiva Tours does the route as a private tour for your group. The short one, of 5 km, stops at the Cova de la Petxina, the Bellús water spring, the Casa de la Luz and the Cova Negra; it runs Monday to Friday mornings and costs €145 including VAT. The long one, of 12 km, with a mountain guide and a local one, adds the castle and the snow well of the Costa del Castell, for €200. You meet at the petrol station by the bullring and transport to the site is at your own expense. Neither is suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. ## Paso a paso ### 0 min · The 25-spout fountain Beside the Cocentaina gate. The PRV-78 starts here, waymarked from the city. ### First stretch · The channel The path follows the canal that carried water to Xàtiva, without slopes. ### Now in the site · The Albaida riverbank You enter the Municipal Natural Site, with poplars and elms beside the river. ### 1 h 30 to 2 h · The Cova Negra The mouth of the cave above the meander. Look from outside and find the Aventador wall. ### Return · By the same path Another hour and a half or two back to the old town, or pick-up by car at the Alboi poplar grove. ## Qué llevar - Water for the whole day - Comfortable walking shoes - Cap and sun cream - Something to eat at the poplar grove - Binoculars for the Aventador wall ## Consejos ### Stop at the Almodí first The replica of the Neanderthal parietal bone is there and gives the cave meaning. ### Leave a car at Alboi If you have two cars, park one at the poplar grove and walk the route one way. ### In summer, set off in the cool Although it is flat, in July and August the sun bites from mid-morning. ### The castle, another day If you do the long route with a guide, you already pass it; if not, leave the climb for the following afternoon. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How long does it take to walk to the Cova Negra? Between an hour and a half and two hours from the 25-spout fountain, on the PRV-78, and as much again back. ### Is the route hard? No. It is flat, follows an irrigation channel and is waymarked. ### Can I go inside the cave? The tourist office does not say. Expect to see it from outside. ### Where do I park? At the Alboi poplar grove, off the CV-610, with room for at least 40 cars, or in the small car park on the Camí del Pont Sec, next to Bixquert. ### Are there guided tours? Yes, with Love Xàtiva Tours as a private tour: 5 km for €145 or 12 km for €200, on weekdays. ### Can I go with children? Yes, if they walk well: there is no ascent. With a pushchair, better not.