There are few destinations in Europe where you can enjoy typical 'summer' outdoor pursuits in the middle of winter. However, Spain's Costa Blanca is one such place and the range and quality of activities on offer is outstanding. This multi-activity guide presents a handpicked selection of 60 ridge routes, via ferratas, canyons, sport-climbing crags, trad-climbing crags, hikes, trail runs and road-cycling routes to inspire keen adventurers to explore the region's striking ridges, peaks, crags and barrancos (canyons). A broad spectrum of activities is covered - although since many of the routes involve climbing skills and rope-work, the guide is particularly well suited to climbers interested in a multi-activity holiday - and there are plenty of mid-grade options.

Although quieter in winter, Costa Blanca is well served for accommodation and facilities, with easy access from Alicante. The guide includes plenty of useful information to help you plan your holiday and directions to help you locate the start-point for each activity. All of the activities are clearly graded and include route description and mapping and - for the climbing routes and via ferratas - photo topos illustrating the line of the route. Handy tables summarise the key information, making it easy to choose an activity to suit. With inspiring colour photography to whet your appetite, Costa Blanca Mountain Adventures is the perfect companion to discovering the adventures that await in this bounteous region.

Regional overview map

Map key

Key to photo topos

Overview map 1: Ridges, via ferratas and canyons

Overview map 2: Sport and trad climbing

Overview map 3: Hiking, trail running and road cycling

Introduction

Landscape

Plants and wildlife

When to go

Getting there

Getting around

Accommodation

Food and drink

Language

Maps

Waymarking and access

Health and safety

Using this guide

Ridges

Route 1 Toix Ridge Integral (Este y Oeste)

Route 2 Bernia Ridge

Route 3 Sierra Ferrer Ridge

Route 4 Segaria Ridge

Route 5 Cresta del Migdia

Route 6 El Realet/Alt del Castellet

Route 7 Cresta del Canelobre, Cabezón de Oro

Route 8 Forada Ridge

Route 9 Benicadell Ridge

Route 10 Arista al Forat de la Forada

Route 11 Cresta dels Bardals, Serrella

Route 12 Cresta del Castellar

Route 13 Cresta del Maigmó

Via ferratas

Route 14 Penya del Figueret

Route 15 Ponoch (Ponoig)

Route 16 El Cid

Route 17 Redován

Route 18 Callosa de Segura

Route 19 Castillo Salvatierra

Route 20 Aventador

Canyons

Route 21 Barranco del Pas de Tancat

Route 22 Barranco del Infierno

Route 23 Barranco dels Llidoners and de Racons

Route 24 Barranco del Pas de Calvo

Route 25 Barranco del Parent

Route 26 Barranco de l’Estret de Cardos

Route 27 Barranco de Mascarat

Route 28 Barranco del Curt o Pas de Bandolers

Sport climbing

Route 29 Alcalalí

Route 30 Los Cerezos

Route 31 Sierra de Toix

Route 32 Candelabra del Sol

Route 33 Morro Falquí

Route 34 Ambolo

Route 35 L’Atzúbia (Adsubia)

Route 36 Sector Cuevas, Cabezón de Oro

Trad climbing

Route 37 Aristotles and Pepsi Crest, Puig Campana

Route 38 Espolón Central, Puig Campana

Route 39 The Edwards Finish, Puig Campana

Route 40 Via Gene, Cabezón de Oro

Route 41 Arista Agullo, Cabezón de Oro

Route 42 Via Esther and Scorpion, Vall de Gulabdar

Route 43 Via Pany, El Peñón de Ifach

Hiking

Route 44 Mallada del Llop and El Regall

Route 45 Cova del Dalt and Es Crestall

Route 46 Xanchet circuit

Route 47 Bernia circuit and fort

Trail running

Route 48 Castell d’Axia

Route 49 Aixorta and Les Arcs

Route 50 Corral de la Llacuna

Route 51 Les Arcs and Raco Roig

Route 52 Castell de Granadella

Route 53 Sierra de Olta

Route 54 Puig Campana

Route 55 Penya Gros and Forada

Route 56 Barranco del Infierno circuit

Road cycling

Route 57 Col de Rates, Tarbena and Castell de Castells

Route 58 Vall de Gallinera and Vall d’Ebo

Route 59 Bernia circuit

Route 60 Serrella and Aitana circuit

Appendix A Activity summary table

Appendix B Useful contacts

Appendix C Castilian – Valencian – English glossary

Appendix D Further reading

Appendix E Climbing grades comparison table

Seasons

The Costa Blanca season is long, with the optimum time for a visit being between October and early May. The Gota Fria (a cold, unsettled spell) sometimes visits during autumn and can linger for a week or two.

Centres

Easy access from Alicante. The Jalon/Xalo valley makes a great base. If you prefer to be on the coast, the Calpe/Altea area works well, though there are plenty of other options, including La Nucia, Denia and Benidorm.

Difficulty

From easy walking routes right through to 500m trad-climbing routes and technical canyon descents. All routes are graded, with plenty of mid-grade options. Your chosen activity may require particular skills and equipment, details of which are provided in the guide.

Must See

The alpinesque Castellets ridge and iconic Puig Campana - a mountaineer's delight; near-subterranean adventure in the Barranco del Infierno; cycling the famous Col de Rates

March 2024

Updates March 24

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