If you’re at La Torreblai, don’t miss one of the most fascinating excursions in the area: a scenic drive up to the Carrasqueta mountains to explore the historic snow pits of Jijona.
High on the ridge of La Carrasqueta, at 1,085 meters above sea level, lies the impressive Pou del Surdo — one of the five historic ice pits that once formed part of Jijona’s remarkable snow industry. Surrounded by wide mountain views and pure air, this is a place where history and landscape come together beautifully.
Easy to Reach, Hard to Forget
Getting there is simple. Follow the CV-800 road between Alicante and Alcoi until you reach the Carrasqueta mountain pass and its viewpoint. From there, a short track leads directly to the site.
Prefer to go on foot? From Jijona you can follow the beautiful “almond blossom trail,” which finishes right at the door of the snow pit — especially magical in late winter.
A Monument to the Snow Trade
The Pou del Surdo was likely built in the mid-19th century and later identified by researcher José María Segura Martí as the historic “Pozo Caño” mentioned in 1880 records.
The complex includes two main buildings:
The Snow Pit (Pou de la Neu)
This impressive circular well measures 11.4 meters in diameter and over 11 meters deep. Its thick masonry walls and domed roof once protected compacted snow that would be stored and later transported to the coast.
Inside, later modifications (around 1950) converted the pit into a cistern, adding a cement lining, iron ladder, and water pump mechanism — traces that can still be seen today. The structure features four access openings and a well-preserved false dome roof built by the gradual inward layering of stone, covered with tiles and crowned at the top.
Around the pit, dry-stone walls once helped trap drifting snow, creating a large snow-collection area of about 7,500 m² — a quiet testament to the ingenuity of the old ice trade. These structures were carefully restored by the Jijona Town Council in 2018.
The Nevaters’ House (La Cava)
Next to the pit stands the historic farmhouse where the snow workers once stayed. Restored between 1998 and 2002, it later operated as a small rural hotel known for its warm, family-style atmosphere and traditional Jijona cuisine such as giraboix, borreta, pericana, and local turrón desserts.
Make It a Scenic Mountain Escape
Just 500 meters southeast of the snow pit you’ll also find an old lime kiln, and from the access road you can continue exploring toward the Serra dels Plans or the direction of Torre de les Maçanes.
Take the drive. Breathe the mountain air. Walk among the snow pits.
The Carrasqueta is only minutes away, but it feels like stepping into another century. Combine your visit to the Pou del Surdo and the Pou de Sant Ignacio for a small but unforgettable journey into Jijona’s ice-making past.
