Agost: Hiking Trails and Pottery Tradition

Agost lies at the foot of the Sierra del Ventós and along the Rambla del Rugló. For planning your trip, the signposted trails and the long pottery tradition offer two different points of interest: you can explore landscapes and routes or learn about the local history of ceramics.

Hiking Trails and Landscapes

Several signposted hiking trails in Agost are suitable for different age groups and fitness levels. One route leads from Parque Rugló via the Arab aqueduct L’Arc through eroded landscapes shaped by ramblas and ravines, up to the summit of Ventós. It therefore links water infrastructure with a landscape defined by its geological formations.

A trail through the Sierra de Castellans leads to the Creueta, a hill marked by a cross. From there, you can see Agost as well as the Cid, Maigmó and Ventós. The circular route on La Murta, by contrast, leads to a place where, according to archaeological research, different groups lived during the Bronze Age and the Arab period. The destinations therefore offer different experiences: one focuses on views of several mountains, while the other has an archaeological connection.

Another option is the Vía Verde Agost-Maigmó. The developed and signposted route is 22 kilometres long and includes six tunnels and two viaducts. You can travel it on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. Its different ways of use make the Vía Verde a good choice for travellers who would rather explore the surrounding area on a marked route than on individual hiking trails.

Agost’s geological features also include the K/T boundary, considered evidence of the extinction of the great dinosaurs. Together with the eroded landscapes described above, it offers another perspective on the geology of the area.

Pottery Tradition and Museo de la Alfarería

Agost’s pottery tradition has been documented since 1277. Some of the pottery families still active today trace their tradition back to the 18th century. At the Museo de la Alfarería, visitors can discover an extensive collection of everyday items made in Agost over a period of two centuries, as well as the ceramic-making process.

The museum preserves the original Arab kilns, settling basins for clay and the workshop area of a former factory. A pottery wheel workshop is also among the stages of the production process on display. If you would like to experience crafts beyond a museum collection, you can watch potters at work on the wheel in the craft workshops and touch the clay yourself. Visits to factory facilities and participation in a pottery workshop are also possible. Before your trip, check the availability of the specific activity and how to book it.

Festivals and Culinary Traditions

The recurring Dia de l’Arc includes a picnic in the Les Tabaires area on the third day of Easter. Traditional Mona cake, cooked or fresh broad beans and empanadillas are served. Les Danses del Rei Moro combines traditional dance with the accompaniment of the dulzaina. If you would like to plan your trip around a festival, check the specific dates for your travel period.

Every year around 29 June, Agost celebrates its patron saint, the Apostle Peter, with a festival featuring music, elaborate costumes and the sound of arquebuses. Many pastry recipes from Agost come from the recipe book of María Arques, also known as “María, la del forn”, who is recognised as a craftswoman of Agost. If you would like to try a particular pastry, ask locally about its availability.

Water Infrastructure in the Landscape

Structures related to the water supply are also among the area’s distinctive features. A circular route leads to L’Arc, a bridge that carries water from the El bull spring across the Rambla del Barranc Blanc to Agost. L’Alcavó is an artificial tunnel made using dynamite that carries water to irrigate farmland. Agost also has retention and diversion dams, as well as terracing on slopes along the contour lines.

Discover more destinations: Guadalest, Biar, Sanet Y Negrals, Daya Vieja, L'alfàs Del Pi, El Bacarot, La Xara, Callosa D'en Sarrià.

For the main travel overview: Alicante.