Molinet del Bassot

Molinet del Bassot is a ruined watermill tucked into a ravine near Ares del Maestrat, in the province of Castellón, Valencian Community.

Where is Molinet del Bassot?

The mill sits roughly 3.5 km northwest of the centre of Ares del Maestrat, inside the Barranc dels Molins — the Mills Ravine — carved by a stream flowing down from the slopes of Mola d'Ares. This narrow, rocky gorge packs five historic watermills into a short stretch, all drawing on the same watercourse in sequence. Molinet del Bassot is the second-to-last link in that chain: water leaving its wheel flows on to the neighbouring Molí del Sol de la Costa.

What will you see there?

The building itself is in poor shape today — the main structure is roofless and largely stripped of its original machinery. Even so, one detail keeps drawing visitors: the surviving water wheel has an unusually hexagonal shape, rare among mills in this part of Spain, where round wheels are the norm. That single feature makes Molinet del Bassot stand out along a route that also passes Molí de la Roca, Molí del Planet, Molí de Dalt and Molí del Sol de la Costa. All five mills date from the second half of the 18th century and once ran on hydraulic power, grinding grain for the community of Ares.

The entire ravine — its mills, a spring, and an adjoining wash house — is protected as a Cultural Heritage Site (Bé d'Interès Cultural) by the Valencian regional government, registered under number RI-54-0000239 since 15 May 2009. The protection covers not just the buildings but the whole hydraulic system that powered the local economy for generations.

How do you get there?

The easiest approach is on foot via the SL-CV 45 Camí dels Molins trail, which starts in Ares del Maestrat itself and follows the ravine, stringing the mills together into a single route. It's an easy, well-marked path popular with visitors exploring the Alt Maestrat area. Sturdy walking shoes are worth packing, since the ground is stony and the trail occasionally drops close to the streambed.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, when temperatures in this mountainous part of Castellón stay mild and the ravine tends to hold more water after rainfall. In summer the exposed, sunlit stretches of the trail can get quite hot, so an early start is a good idea. Ares del Maestrat itself, perched at over 1,100 metres near the peak of Mola d'Ares, makes a convenient base for exploring the whole ravine.

Frequently asked questions

Can you still see Molinet del Bassot even though the building is in ruins? Yes — the mill stands in open ground right along the trail and can be viewed up close, though entering the ruined structure itself is not safe.

What's the most distinctive feature of this mill? Its hexagonal water wheel, a shape rarely found in other mills in the region, which makes Molinet del Bassot a memorable stop on the route.

How many mills are there in the Barranc dels Molins? Five: Molí de la Roca, Molí del Planet, Molí de Dalt, Molinet del Bassot and Molí del Sol de la Costa, all built in the second half of the 18th century.

Is the mills trail suitable for families with children? The SL-CV 45 trail is moderately easy, but the stony ground and proximity to the ravine call for care and good footwear, especially with younger children.