Exploring the wild side of the Costa Blanca
Exploring the wild side of the Costa Blanca
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The Gorg del Salt is a well kept secret, hidden in the region of Valencia. It is a mystery too many, with beautiful photos shared online (especially during the summer), but the exact location often remains untold.
It is situated along the Barranco de la Encantada (“Enchanted Ravine”) and has been frequented by locals for years. Some go to swim or jump into the water and others go to spend the day away from civilization and be surrounded by nature.
There are also some other natural pools that you can swim in, but it comes with a warning!!
The Gorg del Salt is situated within a 5km stretch of the northern section of the Barranco de la Encantada. There are lots of interesting things to explore, and adventures to be had in this area, such as: wild swimming, cliff jumping, hiking, and maybe a little scrambling too if you are not afraid of heights.
There is also a long circular hike for adventurers, which you can read about here, that links the northern and southern sections.
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Visiting the Gorg del Salt is suitable for more able bodies individuals, and the adventurous who want to swim or go hiking.
There are no “accessible” areas, so it is not suitable for wheelchairs or people with mobility issues).
it used to be possible to drive directly to the Gorg del Salt, but now there is a chain preventing vehicular access.
Also, there are steps leading down to it once you arrive, so if you are not able to descend those, then it is not worth visiting.
Prefer cycling on the road or mountain biking?
To reach the Gorg del Salt there is an official car park that you will find on your satnav/GPS. However, in August 2024, this was closed. The ground was badly damaged, and there was a temporary barrier blocking access (you could move the barrier, but I wouldn´t have risked it in my car. A 4×4 might be okay).
Very soon after the car park, there is now a chain blocking vehicular access down the road (Camí de la Encantada), so you cannot drive down this road like you could in the past.
However, there are a few parking spaces on the side of the road near the closed car park: just before it on the right-hand side, and just after it on the left-hand side (as long as you don´t block access to the farmer´s track).
There are no other parking options near to Gorg del Salt, since it is just off a main road.
In order to access the Gorg del Salt, you walk pass the chain and continue down the (shadeless) road, as shown here…
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TOP TIP for Explorers
There is an option to avoid walking on the road and take a wilder route with a better view.
You can see this route on the satellite map, just to the left of the road route (it begins and ends at the same points) …
Here you will see some water as you enter the Barranco de la Encantada.
You can read about the more adventures to be had at northern part of this barranco here.
First you will see a long stretch of water where the path is high up from the water. There is also a nice spot that you can take pretty pictures from.
TOP TIP for Adventurers
Cliff jumping may seem like a tempting idea from up here, but I do not recommend it!
In August 2024 I didn´t even try. The water was stagnant (so the dark green colour here made it impossible to see how deep it was), and water levels were very low in general, in the area.
But also, just a little further up, the water looked very shallow!
TOP TIP for Explorers
There is the opportunity to enter the water on foot in order to swim here.
From the road you can take a wild path down to reach the southern end of the water.
However, the path doesn´t lead anywhere interesting after that (just farm tracks that lead back to the main road).
I didn´t enter the water here myself, and I´m glad I decided not to! You will find out why very soon…
Prefer to swim in warmer water?
Check out this day trip with transport from Valencia…
If you walk down the road for a few minutes more, it will descend a little and you will reach a pretty ´pool´ surrounded by big rocks and shrubbery.
This pool dosn´t have a name, but to distinguish it between the other natural pools in this article I have called it the “southern pool”.
Initially, I thought that this was the Gorg del Salt, but it isn´t (I was visiting so many places that I forgot what it looked like in the photos!) This pool is actually much smaller.
There are two access points leading to this pool…
It is deep enough to swim in this pool and there was evidence that people had swum here (a pair of abandoned shorts), so I decided to cool off. I entered via the steeper access point because the water appeared deeper and less rocky there.
I was having a lovely time swimming in nature with the pool all to myself.
However, while relaxing in the water at the side of the pool, holding onto the rocks (because I had forgotten to take my beach shoes and didn´t want my feet touching anything I couldn´t see)…a small snake came swimming directly towards me!!
Usually, I am very happy to see a snake. In fact, I actively seek them out, silently hunting off the beaten path. I have also shared water with snakes before, but previously, they were just having a little drink or relaxing in the shallows.
However, on this occasion I jumped out of water fast as lightning!
I am so glad that I didn´t enter the water at the southern end of the Barranco de la Encantada, because in that stretch of water there is high land on both sides, and it wouldn´t have been so easy to escape!
Gorg del Salt is a very large pool nestled away in the Barranco de la Encantada, which has a waterfall flowing into it
The route to Gorg del Salt from the car park is just over 1km long and a 15-minute walk.
This is mostly along the concrete flat road. However, once you arrive, there are quite a quite a few steps to descend to reach the water.
About ¼ of the way down the steps there is a concrete ´platform´ from which you can see the area. So, immediately I could see the condition of the water and lacking waterfall.
In August 2024, Gorg del Salt was a bright green colour, with no clarity at all. It looked unhealthy to enter, and this summer I have only seen dogs and the odd people paddling their feet in it.
Despite the lack of swimming appeal, there are other things to explore…
TOP TIP for Explorers
If you want to get a bit closer to the waterfall (and you like hunting for wild water animals like I do), then you can traverse around the rocky edge of Gorg del Salt.
You could do this from the bridge (and get your feet wet), or ascend some of the steps, and scramble down the rocks from there.
TOP TIPS for Adventurers
If you like cliff jumping I have heard rumours about people jumping from the brink of the Gorg del Salt waterfall into the pool below. However, I haven´t seen or tried it myself. It would be a SUPER SCARY jump!
If you like scrambling/climbing up rocks, then look up at the big wall to the left of the waterfall (opposite the road). You will see a big ´crack´ running horizontally across it, with evidence that people have been up there (some graffiti).
You can access this from the left-hand side, either up a steep path, or by short-cutting up steep rock.
You can also check out the brink of the Gorg del Salt waterfall for a cool view…
It is possible to go the brink of the Gorg del Salt waterfall for a nice view down
Brink of the Gorg del Salt waterfall (location)
You can access/exit this area via two routes.
This is where the waterfall would usually begin, but in August 2024 there was just a trickle of water flowing.
There is a small, but potentially deep well-like pool here, which I was able to cross behind and get right to the edge of the waterfall area.
However, with a larger amount of flowing water this might not be possible, and probably more dangerous.
I didn´t get in the pool properly, because these small dark pools scare me a little, but I did dip my feet in the shallow part and enjoy the view.
The Barranco de la Endcantada is also home to “Piscinas Naturales l’Encantada” which are official natural swimming pools hidden away in nature.
Piscinas naturales l´Encantada (Location)
They are a series of pools, mainly merged into each other together, leading down the ravine. Some appeared to be independent of the others, which was probably due to the low level of water in August 2024.
They are overlooked by a ruin, and there is a dam allowing you to cross over to the other side.
The easiest way to access these pools (from Gorg del Salt) is to…
To take a wild route (avoiding the steps), you can go directly from Gorg del Salt…
This route is only possible when there is no water in it.
If you prefer to walk back primarily on the road (instead of paths)…
TOP TIP for Adventurers
If you like cliff jumping, then there is definitely potential to jump into these pools when the water level is higher – but make sure that you check the depth first, and jump into the deepest part away from the rocky edges.
I didn´t get in to find out, because the water was dark brown and very stagnant, with algae growing on some of the surfaces.
After visiting the Piscinas Naturales l’Encantada, there is one more wild swimming hole to visit.
This is a long narrow ravine (about 80 metres long), which you can swim in. It ends up surrounded by high walls at all sides, leading you to a dead end. There is also an old mill nearby.
To access Toll de L´Estret, just follow the hiking path for 5 minutes and turn 90 degrees to your right.
There is a circular hike that includes all of these places, as well as other natural pools, the river Serpis and three caves.
The route is around 15km long and takes at least 4 hours (I say “at least” because the rocky terrain of the river bed can be slow to walk on!)
You can read more about this route here.
If you like wild camping/bivvying, or you want a nice place to watch the sunset, then there is a high location, just above the Barranco de la Encantada, that is perfect for you to do this.
Wild camp or watch the sunset here
You can access this in two ways…
Right at the top, there is a rocky outcrop located just above the parking area to the right (if you are looking up from the road).
This is perfect for watching the sunset and you could camp or bivvy there too.
This road leads to a dead end, and there was a house further along that appeared to be lived in.
A tent would be seen from the road if you decided to camp here, but a bivvy bag would be more discreet.
If you camp with the bushes blocking your view of the house, then they also will not see you (although it is actually not that close).
However, when I was there on a Saturday in August, nobody passed by at night or in the morning.
The rocky area was too exposed for my camping style, and I wanted to sleep in my tent (with the luxury of a small foam ´mattress´ carried from the car).
Consequently, I found a tent space located just above the parking area to the left (if you are looking up from the road).
I have a small 1-person tent, and I was completely surrounded by rosemary and other bushes. I was also just metres away from a very steep curved descent leading vertically down into the Barranco de la Encantada.
Good luck if you try to find it and fit your tent in it!
THINGS TO PACK
Not at all. The Gorg del Salt area is natural and free for all to visi. Enjoy!
There are no facilities at all in this area.
If you love wild swimming, then summer is usually the best time to do it. This is especially , particularly the beginning of the summer (from June) before the water dries out too much.
I visited on a Sunday in August 2024, and there was a series of people with the sole purpose of swimming in Gorg del Salt.
However, they were quickly deterred from doing the shadeless hike carrying picnics and furniture, by the people leaving (including myself) who advised them that it was not suitable to swim.
Whereas, if your intention is to hike and see the sights on your way (i.e. do the circular), then I recommend that you avoid the summer months.
With the Spanish weather, if you want to hike in late Spring or early Autumm, it is still quite hot, so it would be better to go early in the morning or late in the evening.
The 5km hike in the Barranco de la Encantada is more shaded, but the longer circular route is largely exposed to the sun.
Happy adventuring!
Wild Child Costa Blanca
