Famous for its beaches and blue flags, what few people know is that the province of Alicante is among the most mountainous in Spain, with such amazing mountain ranges as the Bèrnia, the peak of more than 1,000 meters above sea level at the shortest distance from the Mediterranean.
The province of Alicante is a paradise for people who love hiking and nature: the variety of routes in Alicante is frankly hard to beat, with routes of all kinds and with the extra incentive of the sea views from many of its most iconic peaks, such as the Serra d’Aitana or Puig Campana.
In LinkAlicante.com we are experts in routes in Alicante and we have been showing the best excursions in our region for more than 17 years.
In this article we show you the selection of routes in Alicante that Fernando Prieto has made with those essential excursions for any hiking lover who lives in the Costa Blanca, or visit it for a few days on vacation.
Imposing mountains, vertiginous cliffs, enigmatic forests, deep ravines and mysterious caves… await you… Will you join us to know these 10 essential routes in Alicante? On going!
1. L’Albir Lighthouse, viewpoint of the Bay of Altea.
✓ Difficulty level: Very easy / 5 km
✓ Suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
The Faro de l’Albir route is an ideal excursion to start hiking. It consists of a simple walk with magnificent views of the Bay of Altea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Sierra de Bèrnia. Located within the Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada, this accessible route can be traveled with a baby stroller, wheelchair and bicycle .
A round trip (5 kilometers in total) along a paved road that leads us to the end of Punta Bombarda, where the Lighthouse of l’Albir is located, which is also the Interpretation Center of the Natural Park. See all the details of this route below:
2. La Pasarela de Relleu, a vertigo route.
✓ Difficulty: Easy / 10 Km / Entrance tickets to the footbridge.
The Relleu Swamp Footbridge arouses great expectation among residents and visitors, becoming one of the most popular routes in Alicante. This vertiginous path suspended over the void is the highlight of a simple route that begins in the quiet town of Relleu, near Benidorm or Villajoyosa. We tell you how to get there, how to book your pass and all the details of the route in our article:
3. La Cova Tallada, a unique place in Marina Alta
✓ Difficulty: High
✓ By appointment in season.
The Cova Tallada is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating places in the province of Alicante. This ancient quarry of rough stone, where the rock was cut and extracted from the bowels of the earth, is today one of the major attractions of the Costa Blanca for people who love adventure. Reaching the Cova Tallada is not something within the reach of everyone: you must overcome a medium-high difficulty route, which includes a “climbing” step, or take a kayak route from Les Rotes, on the outskirts of Denia (although the cave is in Javea). I tell you all the details about this marvel in the article below:
4. El Forat de Bèrnia, Alicante’s top route
✓ Difficulty: Medium, 9 km
✓ Circular route.
This is a more mountainous excursion, more difficult than the previous ones. Of course, this is one of the most complete and beautiful hiking routes in the province of Alicante. On the circular route we will discover a multitude of contrasts, from the shady north face to the luminous south face, open to the Mediterranean. You will cross the magical Forat , a natural tunnel and you will see the ruins of the Fort of Bernia (please, do not climb on them). Without a doubt, an excursion that we can describe as essential in Alicante.
Discover all the details below:
5. Puig Campana, the great mountain challenge
✓ Difficulty: High
✓ 15 km +1000m. unevenness
If there is an iconic mountain in the province of Alicante, that is surely the Puig Campana. This challenging conical pyramid of 1,408 meters of altitude is located just 8 kilometers from the coast, becoming a visual reference of the Costa Blanca. The route up to the summit begins at the Font del Molí de Finestrat. It is a very physically demanding excursion, since the positive difference in altitude that we must overcome is more than 1,000 meters. One of the most challenging routes in Alicante and a classic in hiking.
6. La Font Roja, the magic forest
✓ Multilevel routes
✓ Regulated access in Fall
The Carrascar de la Font Roja Natural Park , in Alcoi, is one of the favorite destinations for hiking enthusiasts. Once at the visitor reception center, next to the sanctuary, we can choose to take one of the many hiking trails in the area. There are different difficulties, some suitable for children . I especially recommend the Senda de las Carboneras . And if the forces accompany, climb to the top of the Menejador, to enjoy its impressive views.
7. Peñón de Ifach, iconic and defiant.
✓ 2 Routes: family and difficult
✓ With previous reservation.
Again we return to the coast. We are going to visit one of the most iconic places on the Costa Blanca: the Penyal d’Ifac Natural Park , the oldest protected area in the province of Alicante, declared as such in 1987. This enormous calcareous mass of 332 meters high rises defiantly off the coast of Calpe (Calp), in the north of the province of Alicante. To ascend to its summit it is necessary to make a prior reservation , since access is limited to 300 people a day.
8. The Barranc de l’Infern, along Moorish paths.
✓ Medium Difficulty – Demanding Route
Known as the “Route of 6,000 Steps”. A classic among classics. Surely most of you have heard of this excursion, but I could not fail to include it in this selection of essentials. It is a physically demanding route, about 14 kilometers and 800 meters of elevation gain. You need to be used to walking in the mountains to be able to enjoy it. In spring you will find the Vall de Laguar especially beautiful, do not forget to visit it and admire its invaluable cultural legacy , protected by UNESCO: dry stone architecture.
9. The historic and scenic Serpis Greenway
✓ Easy but very long route (one part can be done).
To the north of the province of Alicante, bordering on that of Valencia, we find the Vía Verde del Río Serpis. An old railway route enters the gorge sculpted by the river, at the foot of the Sierra de la Safor, giving rise to landscapes of great beauty , steeped in history. To lovers of two wheels, comment that you have the El Comtat BTT Center right there. It is also suitable for family use.
10. Benitatxell cliffs, the most beautiful sea views.
✓ Difficulty Level Easy – Linear Route
If you are looking for a coastal route in Alicante of easy difficulty, magnificent views of the Mediterranean Sea and that leads you to discover hidden coves, do not miss this route through Els Penya-Segats de Benitatxell, in the north of the province. One of the routes in Alicante best rated by lovers of hiking and nature.
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