Excursion to the Irla al Albiol Fountain

We leave the town by the asphalt road of La Mussara until we reach the crossroads of the path of Mas Vidal and Mas de Tinet. We are at the base of the Sierra del Pou. Follow this path, from which we can enjoy the view over the Valle del Río de la Albiol or Barranco del Valle. To our right we can see the mountain where the Albiol castle is located, after which the town is healed.

After approximately 25 minutes, about 530 teachers, after leaving the so-called Mas de Cots, we will continue to the right along a wide path full of stone that descends with a fairly steep slope.

We will cross under a pine that has had the whim of growing in the shape of an arch. Right away we will be able to enjoy some good views of the valley. Throughout the way down we will find margins of sticks indicative of the previous agricultural uses of these lands.

We will arrive at a crossroads. We will continue down a concrete path. Arriving at a crossroads, the one on the left is the wide and passable road for four-wheelers. We will continue on the path to the right. We will continue and we will cross a ravine that crosses the road and we will arrive at a new crossroads. We will find a high altitude albar. From here we will continue along the path to the right, marked with a yellow cross. On the left we will go towards Mas de Mestaca.

We will arrive at an esplanade at the bottom of which we will find the Albiol path. Passing to the other side of the river we will continue to the left. We will be able to see a change in the vegetation, more typical of humid and shady areas, with an abundance of different ferns and moss. The path crosses a narrowing between two rocks.

Further on, we will find signs that indicate that we are on the road from Alcover to Albiol, continuing downstream immediately we find the Fuente del Irla on the right. The place is very beautiful and the fountain is surrounded by all kinds of ferns and plants typical of humid areas.

From the source we will return the same way, but when we reach the place where we cross the river from the esplanade, instead of crossing we will continue on the same side of the mountain, leaving the river on the right.

As we go up to gain some good views on the other side of the valley and on the Sierra del Pozo. Some sections of the road we will find that they are configured for artificial cobblestones, which makes us think about the very old relevance of this road.

At the end of the climb, we will arrive at the Planes de Maideu and at the top, to the right, we can see the mountain where the Moorish castle of Albiol is located, from which we can differentiate part of the rest of its walls. Continuing we will find a sign that indicates the Albiol-Alcover. In a few moments we will find ourselves in front of the remains of the Mas de Maideu, above which we reach the TV-7046 road that joins the C-14 with the Albiol.

Up the road we will immediately find another sign that indicates the path of the town, passing by a rock that we will leave on the left that forms an eaves. Soon we will see the first house in the town, behind it the church bell tower can be glimpsed.

Source: L'Albiol City Council