Embalse de Benitandús

The Benitandús reservoir is a small mountain reservoir by the hamlet of Benitandús, in Alcudia de Veo municipality, in the Plana Baixa. It lies inside the Sierra de Espadán natural park, with views over the water from the road and pull-offs to stop.

The Organs

Above the reservoir rise the Órganos de Benitandús, a rock formation shaped like organ pipes high in the park. The most popular loop is 6 km, of intermediate difficulty, and leaves the hamlet through leafy cork-oak woods and the vertical walls of the organs. The ground is rocky with demanding stretches, so bring water, suitable footwear and fitness. Another variant climbs the Alcornocal ravine and returns to the reservoir: about 8.5 km with 560 m of ascent and some 5 hours in total.

The reservoir

The water sits beside the CV-223 road, with quiet rural banks. It is not a marked bathing area, so the visit is about strolling and viewpoints, or hiking to the formations. From above you take in the Veo valley and the sheet of water. The outing combines with Espadán peak, one of the highest summits in the park, or with the Sichar reservoir, in the same Espadán-Mijares area.

Tips for your visit

• Carry more water than planned: there are no springs on the ridges.
• Mountain boots with hard soles, Espadán stone is abrasive.
• Avoid midday in summer, the bare rock gives back the heat.
• You can only get there by car, on the CV-223 from Tales or Alcudia de Veo.