A hiking route through one of the oldest swamps in Spain

In the province of Alicante, in Tibi, there is a reservoir built at the end of the 16th century, the oldest in Spain and the second oldest in Europe that, in addition to being used for agricultural purposes and making the Alicante garden possible, can be surrounded on a wonderful route of about five kilometers in total, accessible for the whole family, although somewhat demanding at some points.

Located 18 kilometers from the city of Alicante, this masterpiece of civil engineering stands at 46 meters – a height that could not be surpassed in Europe until at least two centuries later – and has been classified as an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC). .

The dam was built at a time of commercial boom and increased crop productivity. The first stone was laid in 1580 and, after being paralyzed on several occasions due to lack of resources, construction continued for 14 years. It has undergone several repairs, the most recent in 1941, when a new drainage tunnel was opened in the rock on the right slope, at the level of the channel.

The 65-meter-long arch-shaped design has been essential for it to have remained active for so long, being able to withstand the repeated floods of water.

A miller and a stonemason devised the construction of this reservoir, which was supervised by King Philip II’s engineers.

It is a strategic point between the Mos del Bou and La Cresta hills and with this structure it was possible to channel the waters of the Montnegre River, formerly known as the Verd River. It is a Mediterranean river whose flow is very irregular and in whose basin it rains little, but sometimes very torrentially.

It marked a before and after in the local irrigation system and, today, belongs to the Alicante Orchard Irrigation Union. It occupies an area of ​​50 hectares and has a maximum capacity of two cubic hectometers.

As we enter the route it is possible to enjoy this historical heritage, with its spectacular Mediterranean landscape, where you can practice water sports. Not all tourism in Alicante is sun and beach.

A chapel in the heights

At the top of one of the hills is the dam manager’s house with three rooms, although it is currently not used. The house has a chapel at the entrance door of which there is a royal coat of arms with the date 1795 – during the reign of Charles IV -.

The dam is completed with a network of irrigation ditches that extends throughout the Alicante region, as well as various weirs, protection systems and bridges over the main channel and distribution channels.

The Tibi reservoir hiking route then combines a hydraulic work of enormous dimensions that has seen almost 500 years of history pass along with a Mediterranean landscape surrounded by mountains and native vegetation.

How to get there

The best option to get to the Tibi Reservoir is by car. From Alicante, the journey takes around 25 minutes on the A-77 and A-7 roads. For its part, from Albacete the trip has an estimated duration of 1 hour and 25 minutes on the A-31 highway. Once in Tibi, the beginning of the route is well signposted, making it easy to access the reservoir on foot.

In the vicinity of the municipality, it is easy to find parking to start the route. To do this, you must take a paved road from the Xirau service station that leads to the barrier that prevents vehicle access, where you can park your car. From here it’s all about walking and enjoying the landscape.

Once you reach the upper part of the swamp, you have to follow the path back, unless you want to access the upper part through an irregular stone path that allows you to see a splendid landscape.

Mountains, pines and oaks

The route can be classified as easy to moderate, although some rocky sections require caution if we go with the youngest members of the family or are beginner hikers.

The path crosses natural landscapes of great beauty, with Mediterranean vegetation such as pines and oaks. The route continues along well-marked trails until reaching the reservoir, where you can enjoy views of the swamp and its mountainous surroundings.

It is a starting point for numerous hiking routes in the area. A second route, which is a little more complicated, starts from Tibi. You can start from the town itself on foot or drive to another esplanade that is located just on the opposite side of the first itinerary. This path does not lead to the dam, but you can enjoy incredible views. To cross this route it is advisable to be careful on the road because it is not always in good condition.

Bathing is not allowed in the Tibi reservoir, but, in exchange, it is possible to contemplate one of the most impressive views of the region. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes, sun protection and water.

A town of white houses

The town of Tibi is also worth a walking tour through its quiet streets and calm atmosphere. You have to go to the Plaza de España to check the quality of the water at its source. At the end of El Carreret street there is also a beautiful panoramic view of the Castle. Tibi It is a small town of white houses nestled between the Maigmó mountain range, ‘the balcony of Alicante’, and the Peña Roja.

In the upper part of the town you can walk through the parks and gardens such as Alameda, Era del Teular, Glorieta and Paseo de la Santa María Magdalena. At the end of the latter is the hermitage dedicated to this saint.