Benitandús:
3 Activities in 1 Day
Benitandús, Valencian Community
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Benitandús, Valencian Community
Are you a fan of combining different activities in a single day? Because we certainly are. We love returning home tired but with the satisfaction of knowing that we’ve made the most of our day. And the village of Benitandús is the perfect place for such an experience.
You may have already heard about the “Organos de Benitandús,” a natural formation of impressive rock structures. However, that’s not the only trail to explore in the area. There’s also the Rodenal Canyon and the Via Ferrata of Benitandús, among others. In this article, we’ll take you through our day in Benitandús, where we combined these three activities. Join us as we recount the exhilarating adventures and unforgettable moments in this beautiful village.
Benitandus is conveniently situated approximately 80 km away from Valencia, making it an ideal destination for a day trip. Along the way, you’ll venture through a picturesque mountain road, adding a touch of scenic beauty to your adventure.
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Here is a list of files that you can download and use for your outing. Check them out and let us know how we can improve.
Put these files into your GPS device, navigation app or smartwatch to follow our track.
Los Organos Benitandús – Hiking Trail GPX⬇︎
We’ve included the tracks for all 3 activities described in this article as a separate track. They all start from the parking area of Benitandús.
Scan or click on the QR Codes to follow our trail in the Wikiloc App and give us a follow while you’re at it!
Download this PDF map of the area and print (A3 scale) or save it to your smartphone.
All 3 trails are marked on the single map.
Accessing the village is hassle-free, and you can rely on Google Maps to guide you to the designated parking area. There is a main parking area inside the village and another on the side of the road. Conveniently, we have provided the precise coordinates in the map here.
To get to Benitandús on public transportation, you’ll first have to get to Renfe Station Vila-Real. From there, you can take Bus L1B to Onda, and in Onda take Bus L5 towards Alcudia de Veo to Benitandús. The bus will drop you off across from the bridge and the main parking area.
Upon arrival, you’ll find well-established parking areas, which will serve as the starting point for your exploration of the three trails. Its strategic location allows for a seamless transition, and in the case of going by car, allowing you to leave your belongings for the canyon and via ferrata securely stored through each leg of the adventure. You will also see that the town has placed a water fountain in the main parking area by the bridge.
Benitandús is set against a backdrop of stunning natural beauty. Verdant fields, meandering streams, and perhaps even a scattering of wildflowers create a serene environment that’s perfect for those seeking an escape from the urban hustle. Don’t expect a bustling city here; Benitandus is a small village where time seems to just slow down.
With a population that likely all know each other by name, you’ll experience an authentic sense of community and a chance to immerse yourself in the local way of life. When it comes to food, expect hearty, homemade goodness. Local eateries might surprise you with their regional dishes that carry the essence of the land. Who knows, you might discover a new favorite dish while savoring the flavors of Teruel.
Benitandús is definitely not a tourist hotspot, which adds to its allure. This is the kind of place where you can truly disconnect from the noise of everyday life. To satisfy your love for outdoor activities, Benitandus won’t disappoint. The surrounding terrain is a canvas for exploration. Whether you’re into hiking, trekking, or simply taking leisurely walks to soak in the scenery, the countryside offers a range of trails that cater to different levels of experience.
In this article we’ll show you 3:
We must admit that this route is one of the most breathtaking we have experienced in the Valencian Community. The ascent to the summit takes you through a mesmerizing forest that seems straight out of a fairytale. And the reward at the end of this journey is the panoramic view from the top of the Órganos, a landscape that is truly one-of-a-kind and worthy of admiration.
Allow us to guide you through our route of the Órganos de Benitandús, which encompasses the enchanting reservoir of Onda and takes you across the majestic Les Aguiles. We have provided the track for you to follow, ensuring a seamless exploration of this remarkable route.
There are multiple paths lead to this impressive peak, but we recommend setting off on a captivating 8 km circular route that winds through hills and offers captivating vistas of the surrounding reservoir. Setting off from the village, we venture onto a well-defined trail that guides us towards the right, commencing our ascent towards the summit. As we make our way through the lush forest, we become immersed in the vastness of nature’s embrace. With every step higher up the hill, reaching an elevation of around 540 meters, an unrivaled vista unfolds before our eyes—the picturesque reservoir and the magnificent Órganos—leaving us in awe of their beauty and leaving an indelible impression upon us.
After savoring the breathtaking views from the summit, we begin our descent, crossing a road before embarking on the next stage of our journey: the exhilarating ascent to the peak of Les Águiles. This segment of the route is characterized by a clearly marked path, meandering through an enchanting forest that guides us to the summit of Les Águiles, nestled at an altitude of 500 meters. Nature becomes our steadfast companion along this path, captivating us with its splendor at every step we take.
However, the most awe-inspiring part is yet to come, as we have saved the most exciting section for the grand finale: the ascent to the impressive Órganos de Benitandús. From the summit, situated approximately 700 meters above sea level, an extraordinary panoramic view unfolds before your eyes, encompassing the stunning Onda reservoir and its picturesque surroundings. The effort exerted to reach this point will be richly rewarded by the sheer beauty that reveals itself, leaving an indelible imprint upon your memory.
The descent back to the car is relatively easy, providing a smooth return to your starting point. There are multiple routes available for the descent, varying in length and difficulty. In our case, we opted for the most direct path, ensuring a convenient and efficient journey. After a rejuvenating break for lunch in close proximity to the car, we prepared ourselves for the second activity of the day: exploring the captivating Rodenal Canyon.
The Barranco del Rodenal or Alcornocal is a canyoning trail located in Benitandús, Castellón (Comunidad Valenciana) 1. The trail is accessible from the village of Benitandús, which belongs to Alcudia de Veo. From where you park, the approach takes about 18-20 minutes. You can also park in the village of Benitandús, which adds about 5 minutes and a short stretch by road. The return from the last rappel takes about 5 minutes.
We couldn’t find any official info on this canyoning route but we would rate it a V2 A1 I. Easy peasy.
After completing the exhilarating Los Órganos trail in the morning, we decided to continue our day with the “Barranco del Rodenal” canyoning adventure. According to our research, this canyon was known for being relatively easy, featuring four rappels ranging from 3 to 7 meters in height. With the longest rappel not exceeding 10 meters, a 20-meter rope was sufficient for the descent. It was an ideal choice for beginners, as it didn’t demand a high level of physical fitness, making it the perfect follow-up to the earlier route.
Let’s delve into the stages of this captivating ravine. You can find our detailed Wikiloc track for reference.
From the car, we embarked on a 500-meter walk along the road, leading us to the starting point of the trail. The initial stretch of the path was well marked, but as we began to ascend, the trail became less defined. We almost missed the junction, but fortunately, we spotted a stack of stones that guided us back onto the correct path.
To reach the first rappel, we had to navigate our way up some rocks. Although not overly challenging, it could be a bit confusing as the path seemingly ended, leaving us uncertain about the location of the belay anchors.
Upon reaching the first rappel, we encountered two anchor points for securing our ropes. On the left-hand side, there were two hangers with a ring, while on the right-hand side, at the end of a ledge, a chain handrail with two hangers and rings provided additional support. This initial rappel had a descent of approximately 4 meters. During our visit, there had been significant rainfall in the preceding days, resulting in some water puddles and slightly slippery sections along the rocks.
The second rappel is situated just a few meters away from the first one. It features two hangers equipped with rings, providing a secure anchoring point. This descent entails rappelling down a vertical drop of approximately 6 to 7 meters, adding an exciting element to the canyoning experience.
Upon reaching the third rappel, we discovered that there was only one anchor point with a rope attached to it. Unfortunately, on that particular day, we didn’t have any maillons with us, which would have provided an additional layer of safety. However, we were relieved to find that this rappel was relatively short, spanning approximately 3 meters, and could be managed with the assistance of the rock itself. For those who prefer an alternative to rappelling, there is a pathway on the left that offers an alternative route.
The fourth rappel marks the final descent of the Barranco del Rodenal. This rappel spans approximately 6 to 7 meters and offers two belays for added security, including a ring and a strap. The rope appeared sturdy, featuring a well-crafted knot. To ensure optimal safety, it would be advisable to add a maillon to the belay, further securing the anchor point. We noticed that there was an alternative path on the left-hand side, providing an option to bypass this rappel if desired.
The return path from the canyon takes around 20 minutes and offers an enjoyable and picturesque journey. The allure of the Barranco del Rodenal lies in its natural beauty, adding to the charm of this route. Afterward, we made our way back to the car to retrieve our lanyards and prepare for our final activity of the day: the Benitandús via ferrata.
The Vía Ferrata de Benitandus is a short via ferrata located next to the Benitandus reservoir in the heart of the Sierra de Espadán.
It is about 30 meters long and is considered to be a K1 level of difficulty, which makes it suitable for beginners. The environment is beautiful, but the via ferrata itself may not be very interesting for more active individuals. The equipment is a bit precarious, with thin cables and rungs, and there are several points where you have to use the rock.
Regardless, the via ferrata still does not exceed the K1 difficulty level.
Equipped with our via ferrata gear, we embarked on our final adventure of the day. Opting to save the easiest and shortest section for last, we timed it to coincide with the approaching sunset, setting the stage for an epic experience.
Starting from the car, we retraced our steps along the same path we had taken earlier in the day until we reached the information panel marking the start of the via ferrata. The approach to the via ferrata took about 10 minutes, with a short section where a short length of rope helped us climb some rocks. For reference, you can find the track to follow the route at the link provided.
Before the start of the via ferrata, there is a section equipped with additional safety measures to help us traverse an exposed area. The via ferrata itself is relatively short, taking less than half an hour to complete. It is classified as a K1 via ferrata, which makes it suitable for beginners. While some sections have slightly spaced rungs and require a combination of rungs and rock, the overall climb is not overly challenging, especially since the rock formations facilitate the climbing process. However, those with an aversion to climbing may find these sections a bit tricky.
It is worth noting that the rungs along the via ferrata are thin and show some signs of rust. However, at the time of our visit, the via ferrata was in good condition and open for use.
We found the return path is a bit hidden so be careful. Maybe we were just tired but we didn’t immediately see it. We continued hiking on up until we realized, “hey, I don’t think this is it”. Turns out, when you reach the end of the via ferrata you just turn around and walk right back down along any of the paths on the right-hand side of the way we came up. It eventually leads you back to the approach path and back to the parking area.
Alternatively, you can rappel down from the top (30 meters).
It was a truly fulfilling day that left us feeling accomplished and tired in the best way possible. This is the kind of day we value, where we can participate in a variety of activities and feel a deep sense of fulfillment. The circular route of the Organos de Benitandús offered us a unique and rewarding experience in the picturesque mountainous heart of Benitandús. The Barranco del Rodenal and the via ferrata, on the other hand, awakened our adventurous spirit and pushed us to conquer new challenges. Throughout the day, we experienced a range of emotions, from the triumph of reaching breathtaking peaks to the awe-inspiring landscapes and invigorating allure of the mountains.
Our outdoor adventure radar led us here, and we couldn’t have been luckier. Benitandus is more than just a destination; it’s perfect for hiking enthusiasts like us, weaving through lush forests and unveiling breathtaking vistas at every turn. And if you’re feeling a bit daring, the towering cliffs beckon for a bit of rock-climbing, a dash of adrenaline to spice up your journey.
As you plan your stay in Benitandus, consider using our interactive map, a labor of love that we’ve curated just for you. It’s set to search for accommodation in the nearby town of Alcudia de Veo. By using the affiliate links, you not only support us in maintaining this platform but also join our journey of exploration.
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Warning: Mountain sports are inherently dangerous and a mistake can get you seriously hurt or worse! The information we post in this blog is only meant to be a guide, and should by no means be considered professional advice. If you lack the skills or are unsure about what you’re doing, hire a professional guiding service to teach you hands-on. We will do our best to provide links to trained professionals in the area wherever possible.
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