The Route of the 8 Villages is a trail that passes through the eight villages of La Vall de Gallinera. Each village has its own particular atmosphere and so it is necessary to visit them all. The trail is not a circular route, it only goes in one direction and is approximately 14 km long, connecting the two springs which are both called La Font de la Mata, located one at each end of the valley. It is possible to do the linear route, going back and forth through the same places, or leaving a vehicle at the end of the route for the return. But it is also possible to do a circular route, either a complete one or just between two villages.

The route starts at the Font de la Mata spring near Benissili and continues along La Solana going towards this beautiful and unique village. The trail passes by the abandoned settlement called La Solaneta, located next to the path. Going down to the village, the trail continues past threshing squares which have stones placed to delimit the perimeter, along a cliff edge. These threshing places allow us to stop and take a step back to the time of the movements of women, men and cattle, when the terraces were plowed to produce all kinds of cereals and legumes that were threshed and cleaned with the wind in the squares. The village of Benissili itself has an old threshing square where there is now a fountain.

From Benissili the route goes to Llombai. Some of the houses in this little village are ruins, due to the fact that most of the owners went to live in Alpatró, the nearby larger village, which is next along the trail. However, Llombai should not be left behind without first visiting the fountain with its washing place or the house of the Nazi who took refuge in Llombai under Franco’s dictatorship, living in the uninhabited village for some years. To get to Alpatró, the trail follows the orchard path that passes by the pond which is still used to water the terraces where vegetables are grown.

In the village of Alpatró the trail arrives at the spring called Font del Llavador Nou and leaves the village next to the Joan Pellicer cultural centre, going towards the spring called Font Vella along a path that avoids the road. It is a well-shaded and cool place with a fountain and pond. From the spring the trail leads up to the road, crossing it and continuing along a paved track on the opposite side of the road. Uphill, the path arrives at the Orenga spring where it is possible to taste some fresh water and rest a little in order to regain strength and then continue walking along the paved road until a path on the left indicating the spring called Font d’en Pere. From this spring the trail goes along tracks until the village of La Carroja.

La Carroja is basically a group of houses distributed around a single street, giving a very picturesque and curious appearance due to the variation in width, forming narrow and very narrow sections but also some wide and open squares. From La Carroja the trail goes to Benitaia and Benissivà along the paved road that passes by the municipal swimming pool.

From Benissivà to Benialí there is also a paved road which is well-shaded by big carob trees and holm oaks. The walk is smooth and pleasant and rather relaxing. In order to visit the nearby pond and watermill, it is necessary to turn left along a dirt road. The mill and its pond are in ruins, but they help recall ancient times when the use of water and the energy derived from that water were fundamental to the survival of the people living in these villages.

To go to Benirrama from Benialí it is necessary to take the path which climbs up towards L’Alcúdia, going through this unique uninhabited settlement, located on a hill, doing justice to its place name (al-kudiya = small hill). Remains of some walls with arches can still be seen. Before that, however, lies the spring of L’Alcúdia, located in a place where it is possible to rest and drink its refreshing water. Its pond is a miracle for aquatic wildlife and an oasis in a desert, where bulrush, water lilies and longleaf pondweed grow, amongst many other aquatic plants.

Upon arrival in Benirrama it is possible to visit the beautiful village, its streets, its church, and observe the cliffs upon cliffs that once upon a time protected a Moor that escaped the expulsion order hidden in a cave.

The path leading to the end of the route (La Font de la Mata) is smooth and easy, going through terraces of cherries and olive trees, as well as the uninhabited Benimarsoc settlement with its spring. Looking to the east, the Castle of Gallinera will always be in front of the hiker.