Water mills are one of the great hallmarks of the Vall d'Albaida. The Ruta dels Molins (Mills Route) runs through the Tarongers gorge of Ontinyent – Fos gorge of Bocairent, where the remains of old 18th and 19th-century mills peek out from the lush riverside woodland of the upper Clariano.
The cradle of textiles
This gorge is where the textile tradition of Ontinyent and Bocairent began. Most of the mills worked as fulling mills or textile factories —the pounding of the fulling hammers started weaving the district's industry— and some also produced flour or paper.
The mills
The route passes twelve mills. From Ontinyent to Bocairent: Molí de Toribio, Molí Patiràs, Molí de Lluna d'Ontinyent, Molí del Barranc de la Fos, the Julians or Mora textile factory, the Beneyto factory-mill, the mill next to the Beneyto, Pepe Juan's flour mill, Molí de Pepe Juan, Molí de Piedra or del Primero, Molí de la Pedra or de la Cova and Molí de Lluna de Bocairent.
The walk
- It follows the PR-V 122 trail along the bottom of the gorge, parallel to the road between Ontinyent and Bocairent.
- The story of each mill is told through information panels and audio guides.
- The entrance to the gorge from Ontinyent, overlooked by the Alt del Castellar and the Penya Roja crag, is very close to the Pou Clar, so the two visits combine well.
- It can be walked in either direction; Bocairent is under an hour from the Pou Clar.
Wear walking boots, bring water and respect the mill remains: many structures have been damaged by time.