Fuentes del Algar

The Fuentes del Algar are a series of waterfalls, springs and pools known as "tolls" along the Algar river, on the outskirts of Callosa d'en Sarrià, on the road toward Bolulla. The water rises directly from limestone rock and has shaped, over thousands of years, a karst landscape of stepped pools linked one to the next. The site sits in the Marina Baixa comarca, a short distance from the coastal resort towns, which makes it one of the most visited natural spots in the area during the warmer months.

A protected site

The Generalitat declared the area a protected wetland in 2002, recognising both its landscape value and the role the river plays in supplying water to the comarca. The marked route covers 1.5 kilometres and follows the riverbed from the lower part of the valley, near the spring known as Font del Moro, up to the main waterfall at the Toll de la Caldera, reached by a wooden stairway.

What to see and do

The route combines paths beside the water, walkways and short flights of steps between the different falls, with several pools suitable for swimming in season. The site also has an arboretum, picnic areas and an environmental information point at the entrance. It should not be confused with the Río Algar as it runs through the town itself, a different and more urban stretch of the same river.

Entry is ticketed, and the ground includes steps and uneven surfaces beside the water, so closed, non-slip footwear is worth wearing, especially for anyone planning to swim in the pools. The visit combines easily with the historic centre of Callosa d'en Sarrià, home to the Iglesia Arciprestal de San Juan Bautista, and with a trip to nearby Guadalest, around 12 kilometres away on the CV-70, passing the Embalse de Guadalest reservoir on the way. Both destinations feature among the usual suggestions for a day trip from Alicante.