I have been exploring and climbing the peaks of Alicante’s geography for more than 20 years; I know them as well as visceral is the love I have for them and in this article I take you to discover the highest and most iconic mountains of Alicante. We will also visit those others that, although not gaining in altitude, are so emblematic or valuable that you should not overlook them if you are a lover of these unique geographical features.
I will also tell you about the best mountain ranges for hiking routes in Alicante and my personal selection of favorite mountains of the geography I live and walk on a regular basis.
The truth is that, far from the traditional and superficial vision as a “sun and beach” destination, the province of Alicante is considered by the initiated as one of the most mountainous in Spain.
Will you join me to get to know the Alicante roof?
DID YOU KNOW? The city of Alicante is at altitude zero, the reference for measuring altitudes in peninsular Spain. We tell you about it in ViveCV.
Mountains of Alicante: to take into account...
It is common to find references in which the province of Alicante (Costa Blanca) is spoken of as one of the most mountainous in Spain. Although this is somewhat difficult to quantify, what is certain, because the data shows it, is that we have more than 50 summits that are over 1,000 meters high , which gives us an idea of the spectacular orography of Alicante.
In addition, many of the mountains of the Costa Blanca, due to their proximity to the sea , rise from very low levels, which gives them a special character, making them very marked landmarks in the landscape, authentic references in the region where they are located. , hallmarks of its people. This is the case of Puig Campana, Bèrnia or Montgó , to name just a few of the most relevant.
So yes, without a doubt we can affirm that Alicante is a province of mountains… and what mountains!
If we summarize those 50 summits of more than a thousand meters in a selection of only 10 mountains of Alicante , logically there are many that are left out of the list. That does not mean that they are not worthy of being in the ranking, and it is that without a doubt each mountain has something that makes it special and unique .
Also, each visit is different. We never find the mountain the same: due to the season of the year, due to the weather conditions of the day, due to our state of fitness or mood, due to the companions (or not) during the route, etc.
And after this brief introduction, we are going to discover the main Mountains of Alicante …
Alicante’s highest and most iconic mountains
Sierra de Aitana (1557 m.), Alicante’s “roof”.
Although seen from afar the Sierra de Aitana may seem smooth and rounded, the truth is that it gives rise to countless steep crags, especially on its north side. It used to get a visit from the snow every winter, but unfortunately this is becoming less and less common. As a curiosity, it is worth mentioning that the geodesic vertex is within the military installations of its summit, so that the summit that is usually crowned is a few meters below the highest point.
- 1,557 m.
- See Routes in the Sierra de Aitana
2. Puig Campana (1408 m.), the most challenging one.
A little more than 5 kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea and the tourist town of Benidorm, this colossal mountain, the second highest in the province of Alicante, rises defiantly to 1408 meters high. Temple of climbing and hiking, conquering its summit is always as demanding as it is rewarding.
- 1,408 meters
- See Puig Campana Route
3. Montcabrer (1390 m.), Serra de Mariola
In the interior of the province of Alicante and bordering with neighboring Valencia, the Serra de Mariola Natural Park is a protected natural area of unique environmental and cultural values. A natural environment that allows us to enjoy magnificent hiking trails, including the ascent to the third highest peak in the province of Alicante: the Montcabrer peak, which rises to 1390 meters.
- 1,390m
- Routes in Serra de Mariola
4. Pla de la Casa (1385 m.), Serrella Mountain Range
La Serrella is a mountain without equal in the province of Alicante. Known as “the Alicante Pyrenees”, this long and stylized mountain range is topped by several peaks that exceed 1,300 meters in height. The most outstanding are the Recingle Alt, the Pla de la Casa, and the Mallà del Llop. La Serrella is a mountainous formation that transports us to the past, to other latitudes, to other times… it is another world.
- 1,385m.
- See Routes in the Serrella
5. Serra del Menejador (1356 m.)
The Serra del Menejador is the mountain range that shelters the Font Roja Natural Park, between the towns of Ibi and Alcoi. It is one of the most biodiverse and environmentally valuable natural areas of Alicante. Not in vain, it is home to the best preserved mixed Mediterranean forest in our region. Its cultural heritage is also remarkable, including for example the old snow wells.
- 1,356 m.
- Routes in Serra del Menejador
6. Serra de Els Plans (1330 m.)
The Serra dels Plans, between the towns of Alcoy, Xixona, Benifallim and La Torre de les Maçanes, is home to a cultural heritage of exceptional value: the Cave Paintings of La Sarga, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its summit, although rounded, is a fantastic viewpoint from which you can contemplate the sea on clear days.
- Els Plans 1,330 m.
7. Maigmó (1296 m.), the “balcony of Alicante”.
The Serra del Maigmó is part of a protected landscape that also includes the adjacent Sierra del Cid and that, as a whole, constitutes one of the largest forest extensions of Aleppo pine in our province. Due to its proximity to the city of Alicante, this unique natural area has a high influx of visitors, many of whom come to conquer its summit. The route to the Pico del Maigmó, although short, has moderate difficulty and we should not underestimate the risk involved in undertaking it.
- 1,296m.
- Routes in Serra del Maigmó
8. The Cabeçó d’Or (1208 m.)
Next to the pretty village of Busot, the Serra del Cabeçó d’Or is known for being one of the most illustrious climbing schools in Alicante. A mountain full of history and mystery, as evidenced by the existence of the Canelobre Caves. If we talk about conquering its summit, at 1208 meters of altitude, it is a demanding hiking route that is also among the most beautiful in Alicante.
- 1.208 m.
- See Cabeçó d'Or Route
9. Bèrnia mountain range (1126 m.)
The most slender and aesthetic mountain formation in Alicante. A mountain range of beauty only comparable to its environmental and cultural values, with heritage gems such as the Renaissance fort built by Juan Bautista Antonelli during the reign of Philip II. Because of its difficulty, conquering the summit of Bèrnia is something that is relegated to the most experienced hikers, while the popular route of the Forat, a natural tunnel that crosses the mountain, is visited by more people than recommended every weekend; and we must not forget that we are in a natural area that has the figure of the “Forat”. protected landscape.
- 1.126 m.
- Route of the Forat de Bèrnia
10. Serra del Benicadell (1104 m.)
Once again we find ourselves in front of a beautiful and aesthetic mountain formation, natural border between the provinces of Alicante and Valencia. The Serra del Benicadell has one of the most beautiful profiles of the Valencian geography; a silhouette in which stands out its imposing double ridge, which climbs to the top of its summit, at 1,104 meters high. Both sides of the mountain range, the sunny and the shady side, are protected landscapes due to their exceptional environmental values.
- 1.104 m.
- Benicadell route from Gaianes
11. La Serra Gelada (435 m.), natural park.
Located between Benidorm and Albir, the Serra Gelada is an impressive and abrupt geographical feature by the sea, with cliffs over 300 meters high and exceptional fossil climbing dunes. This proximity to the Mediterranean gives it a special uniqueness in the mountains of Alicante, making this natural maritime-terrestrial area exceptional for its environmental values.
The official marked routes, which are the only ones allowed in this Natural Park, are the following:
➡️ Crossing the Serra Gelada (high difficulty)
➡️ Lighthouse Route of l’Albir (all audiences)
➡️ Route of the Torre de les Caletes (all audiences)
–
12. The Bec de L’Àguila
In an honorary way I wanted to mention in this selection of mountains of Alicante the modest Bec de l’Àguila, a small mountain of just 475 meters high but with a great sentimental value for me. It could be said that it was here that my hiking adventures began, many years ago. It is located near the Montnegre River, north of the municipalities of San Vicente del Raspeig and Mutxamel. Many are the adventures lived in its surroundings and certainly deserves this deserving place in my personal ranking. Attention! On its slopes grows an endemic plant, unique to Alicante and almost in danger of extinction: the Vella Lucentina.
➡️ Route through the area: El Barranc dels Cocons
This article was originally published in LinkAlicante in June 2008 and has been updated frequently as it is one of the most visited articles on the web.
4.00 / 5 (1 votos)
