Discover Agost: Vía Verde, Pottery and Mountain Landscapes
Accommodation in Agost
Agost lies at the foot of the Sierra del Ventós and beside the Rambla del Rugló. A notable route is the Vía Verde Agost-Maigmó: it is 22 kilometres long, restored and signposted, and passes through six tunnels and over two viaducts. The route can be used on foot, by bicycle and even on horseback. The Vía Verde del Maigmó begins at Agost railway station’s halt and follows a section of the former Alcoi–Alicante railway line.
For further local pages to help with your planning, see Jacarilla, Benimantell, Javea, Alcoleja, La Carroja, Trencall, Algorfa and Altea.
Trails and landscapes
The Vía Verde begins in Agost’s almost desert-like salt marshes. White salt colours, along with the ochre and reddish hues of the clays extracted for the local pottery industry, shape this landscape. Agost also has several signposted hiking trails suitable for different age groups and levels of ability.
One route leads from Parque Rugló via the Arab aqueduct L’Arc through erosional landscapes shaped by numerous ramblas and ravines to the summit of Ventós. A trail through the Sierra de Castellans leads to the Creueta, a hill marked by a cross, from which Agost as well as the Cid, Maigmó and Ventós can be seen.
The circular route on La Murta leads to a site that, as archaeological studies suggest, was inhabited by different population groups during the Bronze Age and the Arab period. Another circular route in Agost leads to L’Arc, a bridge that carries water from the El bull spring across the Rambla del Barranc Blanc to Agost. Agost also has retention and diversion dams, as well as terraces built along the contour lines on the slopes. L’Alcavó is an artificial tunnel created with dynamite to transport water for irrigating farmland.
Agost’s geological landscapes include the K/T boundary, regarded as evidence of the extinction of the large dinosaurs. The different routes can be compared by length, means of travel and destinations.
Ceramics and history
Agost’s pottery tradition has been documented since 1277; some pottery families still active today trace their tradition back to the 18th century. At the Museo de la Alfarería, Agost preserves the original Arab kilns, clay settling basins and the workshop area of the former factory. Visitors can see an extensive collection of everyday objects made in Agost over the past two centuries and learn about the ceramic-making process, which also includes a pottery wheel workshop.
The Ermita de Santas Justa y Rufina has green and brown ceramic features on its façade and is dedicated to the patron saints of potters, Santa Justa and Santa Rufina. In Agost’s craft workshops, visitors can watch potters working at the wheel and touch the clay themselves. They can also visit factory facilities, watch craftspeople at work and take part in a pottery workshop.
Festivals and culinary traditions
In Agost, Les Danses del Rei Moro is a festival featuring traditional dancing accompanied by the dulzaina. 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.
The recurring Dia de l’Arc tradition in Agost includes a picnic on the third day of Easter in the Les Tabaires area, with the traditional Mona, cooked or fresh broad beans and empanadillas. 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 craftsperson from Agost.
For the wider travel overview: Alicante.
