Molí L´Ombria: Natural Pools, Picnic area and Camping

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At Moli L’ombria, there are natural pools (piscinas naturales), a picnic area and camping, making it perfect for a summer escape.

In fact, the camping is only open during the summer months (1^st July and 31^st August).

Moli L’Ombria is located on the Vinalopó River in Banyeres de Mariola, Alicante, offering fresh cold water to bathe in.

It is surrounded by forest, offering shade from the trees while camping, snacking and relaxing in this natural environment.

Where to park

There is one carpark at Moli l’Ombria, situated here, with a lower and upper section to park in.

In 2024 there was no charge, but in 2025 they introduced a small fee on arrival for day visitors, to use the natural pools and picnic area.

I saw this displayed at the entrance, but I didn’t actually see it in operation on Friday/Saturday in July.

There is a shed at the entrance – but it was locked with no staff in sight when I visited.

Perhaps this will be enforced in August, when a lot of Spanish take their holidays.

However, if you stay at the Moli l’Ombria camping, you will pay a different price.

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Where to hike

From the Moli l’Ombria carpark, walk past the gate and go down the ramp or steps.

Turn right to access the natural pools with the waterfalls
Turn left to access the crystal-clear section of the river, picnic area and camping

The cave hiking route goes in both directions.

Approximate walking times:

5 minutes = main natural pool
5-10 minutes = picnic area
10-15 minutes = campsite (600 metres away from the carpark).

If you want hiking routes to more caves, take a look at:

Natural pools

Main Molí l´Ombria natural pool and waterfall

There is a main natural pool, which has a small waterfall flowing into it, and a wooden bridge over the river flowing from it.

It is not deep enough for adults to cliff jump, but smaller children jump from near the waterfall.

You can’t walk in to this (you need to step down into it), and the edges are a little rocky.

If you like to cool off in natural pools, check out:

Paddling pool

Immediately above the waterfall of the main pool is a very shallow stream, which is suitable for toddlers to paddle in.

Pool with three waterfalls

Just upstream from the main Molí l´Ombria pool is a smaller natural pool.

This is really pretty, and when you enter you can see the three small waterfalls running into it.

Fishing river

There is a deep wide darker-green river, which is a fishing area.

This is not suitable for swimming

If you like short walks to waterfalls, check out 8 Places to Swim in Waterfalls Alicante.

Crystal-clear river

My favourite place to cool down at Moli l´Ombria is here, because the water is crystal-clear.

It is just deep enough to sit down in, and cool off.

To enter, you need to step down into it.

The water flows over the concrete path here, which is good for children who like splashing in water (there is also a wooden footbridge to avoid getting your feet wet).

River in the picnic area

The narrow river runs through the picnic area.

There are a couple of small accessible areas of shallow water in that area, where you can cool off away from the crowds.

Picnic Area

Área recreativa Molí l’Ombria

The picnic area covers quite a big area with a capacity of 250 people!

It includes…

Lots of picnic benches in the shade of the trees (although not enough to accommodate 250 people!)
A designated barbeque building

The door is quite stiff, and I thought it was locked, but it wasn´t!

Children’s play area
Bike area (small wooden ramps on grassy terrain)
Toilets

Grassy area

As you enter Moli l´Ombria, there is also a nice grassy area, which is largely in the sun.

You could use this area if you want to:

Sunbathe
Relax close to the natural pools with waterfalls
Avoid walking so far while carrying your picnic, furniture, etc

Rules

Some key rules at Moli l´Ombria include:

Dogs must be on a lead
No cooking in the picnic area
No cycling through the site – although there is bike parking and a bike area at the far end!

Camping

The Moli l´Ombria camping can accommodate 60 people staying in tents.

Tents only

Vehicles cannot enter the site

The walk from the carpark to the campsite is about 10-15 minutes

No electric hookup or outlets

It has four designated areas to set up.

There are three levels on the left-hand side, and one area on the right…

Camping area: Bottom level (left)

This area is less popular (sometimes completely unoccupied) because the ground is wilder with grass.

This is where I would camp if I was alone, hidden between the trees.

Camping area: Middle level (left)

This is the biggest and widest area, suitable for big tents and hammocks.

The first 5-6 plots have shade material above them.

It is opposite the area with the toilets (on the same level), which is useful if you need them to be close by.

Camping area: Upper level (left)

This is the most remote and feels wilder because there is only forest behind it.

It is also the quietest and feels more private because nobody walks past.

Camping area: Upper level (right)

Level with the toilets, which can be accessed at both sides of the camping area.

The last 3-4 plots have a shade material above them.

If you want to discover more camping sites, check these out:

Toilets and Showers

There is one toilet/shower building at Moli l´Ombria.

I didn’t go into the men’s building, but in the ladies, there are…

3 toilets
2 communal sinks (cold water)
2 showers (hot water only, token required*)
A baby changing.

The showers operate via tokens only, which must be ordered in advance when booking.

You should be able to collect the tokens from the office between 10am-12pm. However, in reality the staff don’t stay in the office. They are usually driving around in the all-terrain vehicle doing other things around the site.

I suggest that you:

Go to the office as soon as you see their vehicle Or..
Approach them in their vehicle and ask.

Cooking and Washing up facilities

At Moli l´Ombria there is:

An enclosed barbeque building
Lots of picnic benches in the picnic area below
Water fountain (only drinkable during the official opening season – July and August)
Five outdoor sinks for cleaning plates, etc (cold water only), situated behind the toilets.

You can use your own gas stove, but only in the barbeque building, due to the forest fire risk.

Booking & Contact

Booking procedure

You must book camping at Moli l´Ombria 48 hours in advance
You can request camping by completing this online booking request form.
Your confirmation will arrive in a couple of working days in the form of an invoice.

Contact details

You can follow up your camping request by contacting the Banyeres de Mariola Turism office by phone or Whatsapp on: 685 400 884
Officially they answer between 10am-2pm on Tuesday-Sunday – but they also responded to me on Saturday afternoon.
The booking office is closed on Mondays.

Check-in & Check-out

There is no official check-in time at Moli l´Ombria, since the site is not managed, so you can arrive and leave whenever you want
On the online booking form it states that “Entry will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. *OUTSIDE OF THESE HOURS, PLEASE CONSULT”. However, on the phone, they said that this doesn´t matter
The check-out time is 12pm, so you can pack away your camping gear, but then keep your vehicle in the carpark after that time.

In theory, there are forest agent staff on site between 10am-12pm – if you can find them.

Nobody came to check our camping reservations (on a Friday night).

We had no personal contact with anyone during our camping.

Camping Prices

Prices at Molí l´Ombria camping are made up of:

People

5€ = Adults (12+ years old)
2€ = Older children (10-12years old)
0€ = Younger children (under 10 years old – FREE)

Vehicles

1€ = Vehicle parking

Tents and other camping equipment

1€ = Small tent (for less than 5 people)
2€ = Big tent (5+ people)
1€ = Pergola/awning

Shower tokens

1€ = Shower token (5 minutes of hot water)

Hiking Route: "Cova Serrella"

Cova Serrella

There is a circular hiking route to visit the “Cova Serrella” (cave), and walk through the forest.

The ”Cova Serrella” route starts and ends at Molí l´Ombria.

It involves ascending and descending some steep slopes through the forest.

Distance: 4.5km
Duration: 2 hours

Want to explore more?

If you’re eager to uncover Alicante’s secret spots, an outdoor challenge like “Adventure Hunt” is a must-try!

Or you browse the hidden gems of the Costa Blanca on an interactive map…