“Climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities
should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement” British Mountain Council
Copyright © Victor Warth 2004-2009 All rights reserved. www.costablancamountainfriends.com
Walking, Hiking & Scrambling Routes 2
La Vall de Laguar. From the tiny village of Fleix we descend to the
valley through the small rock forat and pass a waterfall that is normally dry. The
Mozarabic steps lead to the normally dry bed of the Riu Ebo where we cross
and ascend. The route follows west and again descends to the Ebo north west
of the Barranco del Infierno. A further ascent finally leads to Benimaurall
and Fleix. A beautiful route with spectacular views. Almonds, cherries, oranges
and figs can be seen growing. A Lavadero is passed.
Park 30S 0751152 4296360 Start 30S 0750866 4296174
Distance 15km. Duration 5.5hrs. Ascent 887m. Strenuous hike.
Serra d’ Oltá. Height 587m. From the N332 at Calp follow the signs to the
Estación de Ferrocarril and then cross the railway lines. Follow the winding
road up the hill and park at the campsite. There are several well marked
routes and we use the circuit with an excursion to the summit which allows
an optional scramble. Good all round views including the Penyal d’ Ifac.
Easy hike with optional grade 2 scramble.
Distance 8km. Duration 4hrs. Ascent 430m.
Malla del Llop. Height 1360m. Normally commenced from Famorca our route
to the summit starts from Serrella Castle with easier access from Benidorm.
From the castle we ascend the large Barranca de Canal with it’s twin fins.
Descent is to the north passing numerous water casitas with views overlooking
Famorca and Castell de Castells to the north east. The return route is
eastwards along easy tracks. An interesting circuit with stunning views overlooking
the Guadalest valley and reservoir.
Strenuous hike. Distance 15km. Duration 6hrs. Ascent 992m.
Malla del Llop South Ridge. Our scramble on this ridge offers stunning views
of Guadalest Embalse and Village and a birds eye view of the Malla Canal and
Nevera Ice Pit. Following goat tracks on the ridge we finally arrive at the Malla del
Llop summit of 1360m. Our return route is via the central canal.
Strenuous hike and grade 1 scramble.
Distance 12km. Duration 5.5hrs. Ascent 911m.
Plana de San Jerónimo. Height 164m Starting from the Xábia marina this
cliff top walk follows a path up to the Cabo de San Antonio lighthouse. A track
then leads to the historic sea cave Cova Tallada and the Torre del Gerro.
Following a cliff track you arrive at Les Rotes where a sea front path passes
numerous restaurants and eventually the Marina de Dénia where we lunch.
A car shuttle is necessary. Moderate hike.
Distance 14km. Duration 4.5hrs. Ascent 450m.
Cala Blanca to Playa La Barraca. Starting from Cala Blanca in Xábia we
follow a path from the beach to the cliff top. A short walk on the CV742 Xábia
to Cap de la Nao road brings us to the Creu del Portitxol and a track leading
down to Cala Sardinera. Follow the contour of the headland to Cap Marti.
An optional easy scramble takes you to the final rock. Continuing our contour
walk we pass Playa del Portixol with beautiful views of the Isla del Portitxol.
A rough track leads to Playa la Barraca where we lunch in a small beach
restaurant. Return to Cala Blanca is via alternative paths. Easy hike
Distance 8km. Duration 3.5hrs including lunch. Ascent 366m.
Coll de Rates Circuit. 654m Commencing from the Coll de Rates at km31 on
the CV715 Tarbena to Parcent road. The circuit involves a steep ascent up the
Sierra del Carrascal then down to Barranco Binarreal and a small stream and
returning through the Barranco del Llom which runs parallel to the base of the
Ferrer Ridge. The tracks are narrow but the terrain is beautiful and varied.
The stream becomes flooded during the winter and there are loose but friendly
horses. Distance 18km. Duration 6.5hrs. Ascent 940m.
Strenuous hike
Serra Gelada. Height 435m. Our walk starts from the Albir beach top car
park with stops at the ancient ochre mine and lighthouse. The scramble to the
summit is via a barranco. From the repeater masts the cliff top track leads us
to above Mundamar. With the right timing you can watch the show for free!
Route 1. Albir to Benidorm with car shuttle. Distance 7km. Duration 4.5hrs.
Moderate hike and grade 1 scramble.
Route 2. Albir to Benidorm and return via similar route.
Distance 14km. Duration 6.5hrs. Ascent 675m.
Strenuous hike and grade 1 scramble.
Cavall Verd. Height 798m. A historic place on the Serra del Penyó.
Our hike starts from the most westerly end of the Serra where we ascend through
rough ground and woodland to reach the ridge track. Heading east along this
track for 1 hour we arrive at Cavall Verd where a historic battle took place
between the Moors and Christians. After scrambling up the Penya Roja we head
east along the ridges and finally descend through the Ermita at Murla where
our second car is parked. An ideal hike for a hot day with plenty of breeze.
Moderate hike and grade 1 scramble
Distance 9km. Duration 4.5hrs. Ascent 680m.
Serra d’ Aitana. Height 1558m. As the highest mountain in the Costa Blanca
Las Marinas area Aitana is 214m higher than Ben Nevis and 473m higher
than Snowdon. From the CV70 and Benifato a winding track leads to the car
park at Font de Partagás. From there tracks allow us to ascent the main crag to
the summit just east of the military radar dome and aerials or further east
through a small crack known as the Passet de la Rabosa. Once on the summit
we continue east for several kilometres and then descend at a cairn near Penyo
Mulero. We return to the west and Font de Partagás via wide tracks.
Distance 13km. Duration 4.5hrs. Ascent 662m.
Moderate hike and grade 1 scramble
El Barranc del Negre. An impressive looking barranco with three main canals.
The centre canal can only be passed with ropes.
Located north of Bululla on the CV715 access can be made from Bululla
village or Bululla castle area. Numerous tracks and a Mozarabic trail lead to
the summits which include Morro Blau and Penya Alta. Both form part of the
Serra de la Xortá. The highest point is Penya Alta at 1219 metres and this
offers a short but easy ridge scramble.
Distance 13km. Duration 5.5hrs. Ascent 710m.
Moderate hike and grade 2 scramble
Penyó Roc. Height 1108m. Starting near the restaurant El Trestelador
CV70 turnoff, we take a wide track heading south on the east of the Penyó Roc.
This track continues up for 1.5km to the main crag. Red marks lead to the Roc.
From the summit we follow the small track heading north and descend to the car.
Our extended route follows a small track from the park area south towards the
Cresta del Carrascal. Our scramble starts at a steep col just before this point
Route 1. Distance 5km. Duration 3hrs. Ascent 390m.
Moderate hike and grade 2 scramble
Route 2. Distance 7km. Duration 4.5hrs. Ascent 700m.
Moderate hike and grade 2 scramble
Peña Migjorn. Height 1226m. Located just west of Xixona, our initial ascent
is through the Barranc de los Puertos which runs between Peñarroya and Migjorn.
After a sharp ascent with an easy scramble the ridge is soon reached.
From this point we continue a steady hike ascending the ridge south until several
easy but exposed scrambles. The main summit is now 30 minutes away.
Descent is via a small track on the east side of Migjorn.
Distance 13km. Duration 5hrs. Ascent 722m.
Moderate hike and grade 1 scramble
Peña Severino. West Peak 800m. East Peak 880m. The Severino peaks
and aréte form part of the massif which includes Peña Ovenga and
Serra del Bérnia. Our scramble starts at the base of the ridge in Algar and after
a steep climb of just over one hour we arrive at the west peak. From this point
a track below the arete gradually ascends to the east peak. Our anti clockwise
return to Algar commences down a steep barranco just below this peak which
eventually leads to the main Algar Valley track. Prepare for rough ground.
Ruta Dolorosa. Distance 12km. Duration 6hrs. Ascent 1054m.
Strenuous hike and grade 1 scramble
L’ Alt de Les Creus. Height 540m. Our hike starts from the historic village
of Tabernes de la Valldigna which is one of four villages that constitute the
Valldigna and surrounded by the Serra de Corbera and Serra de Mondúver.
From the village you can view the famous large crosses on the three peaks.
Following the route PR-38 we ascend in an anticlockwise direction passing the
first cross. After the summit we head for the Barranc de la Penya Roja.
Descent from here takes us passed the via ferrata and then back to the village.
Park 30S 0736838 4329103
Distance 12km. Duration 5hrs. Ascent 630m. Moderate hike
Almadich Circuit. The hike traverses the famous Almadich geologic formation
where evidence of the Earth’s early sedentary processes can be seen.
Starting east of Benichembla on the CV-720 we gain height above the Barranc
d’ Almadic and head south west. The track follows the upper contours of the
Almadich with the Cordilleras Summit higher up to the south and Benichembla
and Serra del Penyó to the north. Approximately 2 km from the Cocoll Summit
we head north east and exit west of El Mirabó.
Distance 14km. Duration 6hrs. Ascent 830m. Moderate hike
1. A hike is long walk.
2. Ascent figures are accumulative starting from the car park.
3. Duration of the event includes short stops, a short lunch break and brisk pace.
4. Distance and ascent figures have been derived by GPS.
5. GPS coordinates. Position Format UTM UPS. Map Datum European 1950.
6. Spanish names are entered in the Castellano or Valenciano form.
7. All ascent, distance and other information listed on this page are as experienced by
the author but may include errors. Anyone attempting these routes should verify the
information before commencing the activity in case of errors or change.
More mountain images can be viewed at our dedicated Gallery www.mountainpixels.com
Copyright © 2004-2009 Victor Warth. All rights reserved.
Penyes Blanques Circuit. A grand tour starting from Pedreguer village.
This scenic route includes Font de Aixa, Penyes Blanques 475m, Tossal Gran 591m, Castell de Aixa 607m and Castellet de la Ocaive 300m.
The tracks are good and pass numerous ruins, bancales and wooded areas.
Beautiful views can be seen of Jalón, Lliber and Llosa de Camacho.
Safe parking in the village can be found at GPS grid 31S 0242448 4297928.
Distance 18km. Duration 6.5hrs. Ascent 955m.
Strenuous hike and grade 1+ scramble
Monte Ponoch North Ridge. Height 789 metres. A demanding scramble with plenty of exposure. The ridge plunges down to a small stream in the Barranc de Gulapdar where we commence our initial scramble of 370 metres. There are several sections of the ridge where a rope may be required depending on the level of competence of the climbers.
This route is normally combined with our Ruta del Diablo to the summit and descent via the new official track on the south face.
Car shuttle required. One at the deposito car park and one at the mirador
Combined route.
Distance 20km. Duration 6.5hrs. Ascent 1200m
Strenuous hike and grade 3 scramble
El Somo Circuit. A circular route around the insignificant 882 metre El Somo.
At Km 7 on the CV-752 the marked track leads to Corral del Somo and Aljub del Xarquet and a view of Els Arcs. The 739 metre Penya del Castellet also known as Bolulla Castle can be seen from the south side of El Somo.
A ridge scramble or track leads to the castellet summit.
The hike is resumed by returning to the main track and heading in a north easterly direction. Eventually the track runs parallel with the CV-752 in a westerly direction and back to the car park. A beautiful route with good views.
Distance 12km. Duration 5hrs. Ascent 600m
Moderate hike with optional ridge scramble.