Fonts de l'Algar de Bellús (Ullal de Bellús)
Just four kilometres north of Xàtiva's old town, a series of natural freshwater springs bubble up at the base of a limestone cliff to form a small turquoise pool surrounded by willows, reeds and old irrigation channels. Almost entirely unknown to visitors staying on the coast, this is where Xàtiva families come to picnic on summer Sundays.
The springs and their history
The Ullal de Bellús is fed by an underground aquifer that drains the Serra Grossa massif above Xàtiva. The water emerges at a constant 17°C year-round — cool enough to be refreshing in summer, warm enough to feel miraculous in winter. The surrounding huerta (irrigated garden land) has been watered by these springs since at least Roman times, and the Moorish-era acequia (irrigation channel) that carries water from here to the city is still in use today.
A short walking path loops around the springs and through the adjacent orange groves, passing a small ruined mill. The whole circuit takes about 40 minutes and is flat enough for pushchairs and older walkers.
How to visit responsibly
The site is technically on private agricultural land with a long tradition of public access, so treat it accordingly: take all litter with you, keep noise down and do not pick fruit from the surrounding orchards. Swimming in the main pool is tolerated but avoid disturbing the vegetation on the banks, which shelters protected amphibian species.
The springs are most dramatic in late autumn and winter when water levels are highest and the surrounding fields are bright green. In summer the flow reduces but the shade of the willows and the cool water temperature still make it a rewarding detour.
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