Castell d'Alfofra

Castell d'Alfofra is a medieval hilltop fortress in the municipality of Benifato, in the province of Alicante, widely considered the highest-standing castle in the entire province. Its ruins sit on a steep ridge at roughly 1,100 metres above sea level, straddling the boundary with the neighbouring municipality of Confrides, and command a sweeping view stretching over the whole Guadalest valley down to the coastline.

Where does the name come from and what is the castle's history?

The site's name traces back to a Muslim alquería (farming settlement) linked to the ruler Al-Azraq, out of which the present-day village of Benifato eventually grew. The fortress served as a watchpost controlling the passage between the Marina Baja coast and the interior of the province towards Foia d'Alcoi, which explains its strategic weight during the period of Muslim rule.

After King Jaume I conquered the area in 1264, the castle passed into the hands of Vidal de Sarrià, who turned it into one of the region's key defensive strongholds. Over the following centuries ownership changed several times, passing through the Sarrià family, the infante Pedro, and later the Cardona and Ariza families. The fortification also underwent substantial rebuilding as defensive needs evolved.

Who does the castle belong to today?

One curious detail is the ongoing administrative dispute over the site: the lower enclosure formally falls within the municipality of Confrides, while the upper enclosure belongs to Benifato. This long-standing split is often cited as one of the reasons the castle has never undergone a full restoration and remains in a ruined state.

What survives of the original fortification?

Of the outer wall, only scattered sections remain, including a square tower and a round tower. The inner wall is better preserved — larger in scale, still showing traces of its crenellated battlements, with a north-facing gate set beneath a semicircular arch and flanked by two further towers. Within the complex visitors can also make out a cistern and the remains of arched gateways. Despite the damage, enough elements survive to give a fairly clear sense of how the fortress was once laid out.

How do you get to the castle?

Castell d'Alfofra is a popular hiking destination in the Sierra de Aitana. The most common route starts directly from Benifato, while another begins at the Font de Partagat recreational area, often combined with a visit to the nearby Font de Forata spring. The climb demands a reasonable level of fitness — the terrain is steep and the final stretch runs along a rocky ridge — but the reward is one of the widest panoramas in the province of Alicante, taking in the Guadalest valley and a stretch of coastline.

Frequently asked questions

Is Castell d'Alfofra the highest castle in the province of Alicante? Yes, the ruins sit at around 1,100 metres above sea level, making it the highest-standing fortress in the whole province.

Which municipality does the castle belong to — Benifato or Confrides? Formally the site is split: the lower section lies within Confrides and the upper section within Benifato. The dispute over ownership has persisted for years and has hampered conservation work.

How long does it take to reach the castle? It depends on the route and starting point, but hikes from Benifato or from Font de Partagat are typically multi-hour mountain walks of moderate to demanding difficulty.

What else can visitors see besides the ruins themselves? Beyond the walls, towers and cistern, the view over the Guadalest valley is a highlight, and the route is often combined with a visit to the nearby Font de Forata spring.