Walking on the Costa Blanca
50 mountain walks and scrambles
Walking on the Costa Blanca
50 mountain walks and scrambles
50 circular walks and scrambles that explore the Costa Blanca mountains, around the resorts of Alicante, Benidorm and Calp, a popular European winter sun adventure destination. From 1500m peaks and knife edge ridges to deep gorges, the walks range from gentle strolls to demanding days with steep climbs, and from 3 to 20km in distance.A guidebook to 50 day walks and scrambles on Spain’s Costa Blanca. Exploring the dramatic scenery around Alicante, Benidorm and Calp, the routes vary from short easy routes to full-day strenuous summit scrambles.
Walks range from 3 to 20km (2–12 miles) and can be enjoyed in 2–7 hours. The routes are graded allowing you to choose routes suitable for your ability. The scrambles are mainly Grade 1 but may be exposed and require a head for heights.
- 1:50,000 maps are included for each walk
- Detailed information on planning, access and parking
- Brief information included on history, culture and wildlife
- Highlights include the 10,000 Steps walk
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device.
Seasons
The perfect escape from British snow and rain. The Costa Blanca Mountains are at their best during the late autumn, winter and early spring when they are covered in wildflowers and blossom and walkers enjoy T-shirt days under blue skies.
Centres
From the the bustling coastal resorts of Calp, Altea and Benidorm to charming mountain towns and village like Xalo (Jalon), Alcalali, Parcent, Pego, Sella, Finestrat, Castell de Castells and Guadalest.
Difficulty
There is something to suit most abilities except, perhaps absolute beginners. Waymarking sometimes leaves a little to be desired - though it is getting better - so a bit of hillcraft and a modicum of agility on the rougher trails will always come in handy.
Must See
Covers the limestone peaks and jagged ridges that stretch inland from Spain's most popular holiday coast. From the high summits of Aitana, the Puig Campana, Xanchet and Montgo to the spiky crests of the Serra Bernia, Ferrer and Caval Verd, and the deep ravines of the Barranc de Malafi and the Barranc del Cint as well as the plunging seacliffs of the Serra Gelada.
January 2025
WALK 18 Penya Talai (Rates)
The upper section of the outward leg between the two farmhouses below the Col de Rates has been badly affected by wildfire, which has cleared much of the vegetation and some trees. This has left the path feeling more exposed and a little less stable. As a result some people may prefer to use the described return leg for both ascent and descent.
The same section of track is also used on Walk 14 Serra Ferrer North.
April 2024
Route 15 Cau Ridge
The path above the old Lady Elizabeth School was closed off with serious road building works in progress. Significant route maintenance is needed
The path above the old Lady Elizabeth School was closed off with serious road building works in progress. Significant route maintenance is needed
December 2023
Walk 8 Penon de Ifach
To control numbers visiting the summit the park authority has introduced a permit system, with threats of fines of up to €6000 for not having one. Permits, which are free, can be obtained on site from the information office using a smartphone, but require an ID document number (passport, driving licence etc). To avoid disappointment at busy periods permits can be downloaded in advance from http://parquesnaturales.gva.es
March 2022
Walk 23 Barrac de Racons (or 5000 Steps)
The path, never as popular as the neighbouring 10,000 Steps (Walk 22), has fallen into disuse and become harder to follow and more precarious.
March 2022
Author updates
Walk 28
Head of the Algar Valley
A fence has appeared on the final section of the walk where the route passes between the ruins of farm buildings onto terraces. Fortunately, it can be avoided by turning right for a few steps to access the terraces. Gates at the far end can also be avoided by turning uphill and scrambling down a banking.
Walk 36
Alt de la Penya de Sella
Fences and gates which appeared at the start of this walk now seem to be permanently locked. So from the parking area walk along the now unsurfaced road for about 500m to where it turns sharply uphill.
On a left hand bend look out of a small cairn with red, white and gold waymarkers. Turn onto the narrow path along a short terrace. At its end follow the narrow path through trees to reach the corner of a new fence, which is followed steeply uphill.
At the top follow the fenceline horizontally to a gate near the far end. Here turn left uphill on a narrow path to a higher terrace. You are now back on the original route making for the col above.
September 2021
Route 30
It is possible to drive to the col where the walk starts but if you do so please park considerately off the road.
February 2020
Walk 10 Serra de Bernia
The approach road has now been repaired and resurfaced.
February 2020
Walk 15 Cau Ridge
The Lady Elizabeth School has moved and is no longer signed from the Xalo road though a small 'Colegio Internacional' sign remains. Parking arrangements are unchanged.
February 2019
Route Updates and corrections
Walk 17 page 89: Carrascal de Parcent
A new path, marked with green and white flashes, has been opened on the descent from the ridge to the Coll de Rates. This avoids the long concrete road and is a blessing for tired knees.
Jan 2019
Walk 30: Bolulla Circuit
The rough dirt road from the suggested parking area has recently been concreted and it is now possible to drive all the way to the col where there is space for a a handful of cars. This creates a pure circular walk and knocks about 30 mins off the total time.
Walk 7: Castell de Granadella
The damage caused by the major fire has largely healed and in fact the loss of the scrub trees has opened up the views along the coast.
February 2017
Walk 10 Circuit of the Serra Bernia.
Distance quoted 14 kms
Actual distance 9.5 kms
This is a 'tricky' route and so the time of 4/5 hours should be considered sensible, although shorter times can be achieved.
January 2017
Walk 7 Castell de Granadella
In September 2016 arsonists set fire to the nature reserve, destroying more than 800ha (2000 acres) as well as some villas, leaving a hideous wasteland. Sadly this once-beautiful walk is now best avoided.
October 2016
Walk 8 Penon de Ifach
The gate that had been put up across the path above the tunnel, while repairs and improvements to the path were carried out, has now been removed and the path to the summit is now open.
December 2015
Walk 2 Tossal Grau
The upper slopes above the refuge have been affected by a fire and some of the signposts are now charred stumps. It is not clear when they will be replaced.
Walk 3 Serra Segaria
Descent from the picnic area. The steep path is becoming very overgrown (perhaps through lack of use because of the steepness) and many walkers currently prefer to follow the road down to the house with the large concrete water tank.
Walk 8 Penon de Ifach
The park authorities. have placed a gate across the path above the tunnel because of fears the paths were becoming dangerously polished. The gate is easily (and frequently) avoided but signposts on the upper section have been removed to further deter visits to the summit. If you do go beyond the gate take extra care on the paths (though nowhere on the upper path is as polished as the section through the tunnel immediately below the new gate).
Walk 16 Alt de l'Ample
The pole and power lines where the path leaves the PRV to Cases de Bernia have gone. All that remains is a sawn-off pole.
Walk 23 Baranc de Racons or 5000 Steps
Some readers have suggested this merits a grade of Moderate/Strenuous rather than merely Moderate.
Walk 30 Bolulla Circuit/Raco Roig
The red arrow marking the spot where the path leaves the initial approach road has been repalced with a new dark blue one.
Walk 44 Mallada del Llop
The clearest – and best – path from the 'flatter area' at the top of the cultivated terraces above Famorca now attacks the slope more directly. It climbs the slopes and then contours round the heads of barrancs to reach the main ridge by the cairn which makes the start of the descent into the Barranc de la Canal. This is now the recommended route.
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