A past linked, above all, to Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, the Cid Campeador. It does not go unnoticed since the elegant rocky ridge of the summit is recognised from a distance.

Although the peak of Benicadell and its surroundings have been inhabited since prehistoric times, it is the figure of the legendary Castilian knight what remarkably settled into these lands. The Cid fortified an existing Arab castle in the heights of the mountain range in the year 1092. Without going any further, the Poem of the Cid, a masterpiece of Hispanic literary medievalism, cites these beautiful places with the name of "Peña Cadiella."

Ideal for hiking

His story arouses as much interest as its sporting and leisure appeal. Benicadell is one of the favourite places for mountaineers in the Region of València, in addition to the nearby Sierra Mariola. An ideal location for hiking or climbing and for discovering routes and walks alone or with somebody else.

The most common itinerary to ascend to the summit of Benicadell starts from the Valencian town of Beniatjar, a small village located 13 kilometres from Albaida. The traveller or hiker must save a drop of over seven hundred meters to complete a journey that lasts about two and a half hours. The route can end in the nearby towns of Albaida or Atzeneta d'Albaida. 

Along the road through the Sierra de Benicadell, a place that is worth your attention is the Font Freda. A pleasant and calm place, known for the healthy waters that spring from the existing water source, 700 meters above sea level. You can also enjoy spectacular views.