The best MTB trails in Paratge Natural Municipal La Murta

El convent d'Aigües Vives, també anomenat Reial Monestir de Santa Maria d'Aigües Vives, és un antic monestir amb orígens que es remunten al segle XIII. L'edifici actual es va construir durant els segles XVI i XVII, amb els corresponents estils, renaixentista i barroc, si bé l'ala nord es va acabar en el segle XVIII. El monestir va pertànyer a l'orde dels agustins, orde que custodiava la imatge de la Mare de Déu d'Aigües Vives, patrona de la ciutat de La Barraca d'Aigües Vives. A mitjan segle XIX, a conseqüència de la desamortització de Mendizábal, els monjos hagueren d'abandonar el cenobi. Aquest va passar a mans dels barons de Casanova, que el destinaren com a habitatge rural. L'any 1977 el monestir fou adquirit i reformat per a destinar-lo a hotel residència per Antonio Vidal Bellver (fotògraf i empresari de Carcaixent). Actualment és propietat d'un empresari hoteler de Gandia. El 2024, la Generalitat Valenciana va instar els nous propietaris a fer obres per a mantenir aquesta obra major que ha patit un deteriorament progressiu com a conseqüència de robatoris, vandalisme i abandonament.

Camí agradable entre xalets, cases de camp i la pineda de la Casella, que arriba fins el bar existent dins del paratge natural.

Una pujada agradable entre xalets, cases de camp i la pineda de la Casella.

The Garrofer spring is a spring where water, coming from the Agulles aquifer, flows happily through two pipes and is channeled to an adjacent washhouse. Despite the warning that the water is not potable (as it is not chlorinated or subject to any health control), thousands of Alzire residents travel up to thirteen kilometers and sometimes form long queues to fill their water jugs.

At this point, the path that leaves Alzira towards the different natural sites indicated on the ceramic panel made by a local craftsman divides.

beware of brambles

It is part of the greenway that recovers the old layout of the "vineyard" between Carcaixent and Gandia.

La Murta is a beautiful forest corner hidden in the coastal mountains of Alzira, it was the center of religious communities since the 6th century, known from then on as the “valley of miracles” (dels Miracles), and in 1347 a group of monks Jerónimos built a monastery that exercised decisive economic, cultural and social power in the Ribera Alta del Xúquer. The remains of the medieval monastery and the set of orchards, irrigation ditches and monks' quarters are the main historical and heritage attraction of the valley. And the natural wonders of the crown of peaks and ambushed slopes are a good attraction for hikers, trail runners and mountaineers in one of the coastal mountain ranges in the south of Valencia. The entrance to the interior of the Murta Municipal Natural Park is regulated to control the number of visitors and conserve the environment. Access from Alzira is signposted along narrow paved country tracks and you have to drive with caution, it is easy to find walkers, runners and cyclists. The parking lot is at the entrance to the monastery grounds, there are benches, trees and a comfortable place to leave vehicles. The most popular itineraries visit the remains of the monastery and follow some of the paths in the forests inside the valley without going up to the summits, except for the itinerary that leads directly to the Creu del Cardenal, which is the most popular peak in the valley. The mountain route leaves the parking lot and as soon as you pass the entrance control, turn to the right along the Senda Botánica de la Umbría, go up a small slope to a curve where there are remains of an old lime kiln and continue along the slope of the Mountain range.