Tag: Active life

Various stories and photography from my active life adventures.

  • Best Hikes in Cap de Sant Antoni from Denia & Javea

    Best Hikes in Cap de Sant Antoni from Denia & Javea

    Hiking in Cap de Sant Antoni

    Most of the hiking routes listed in this article are just sections of the PR-CV 355 hiking trail between Port Javea and El Montgo Peak. You might as well just do it, but for those less fitted, or not being able to spare a day for such a trail, there are more accessible options. Actually, everything except getting the names right is easy Cap de Sant Antoni.

    This natural marvel is named after the same saint as a famous city in Texas San Antonio, which is the Spanish name. The most common name – Cap Sant Antoni – is in the local Valenciano language, but it is also known in English as Saint Anthony’s Cape or Cape San Antonio, and in Spanish: Cabo San Antonio). In case you get confused it is all the same thing. The good part, as I said, everything else is simple, especially, getting good vistas with little to no effort. Though some cliffs of the Cape rise about 150 m / 500 ft above the sea level, the Cape is very flat. Walking here is a breeze, especially if you start hiking from one of the parking spaces on top of Cap de Sant Antoni.

    Cap de Sant Antoni Details

    Map with Hiking Routes in Cap de Sant Antoni

     

    Javea Bay from Cap Sant Antoni, Spain
    Javea Bay from Cap de Sant Antoni – the view one can hardly get enough of. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Molins Circular Hike

    Situated on the plateau of Cap de San Antoni, this circular hike suits almost everyone. Given the easy access via Denia-Javea CV-736, it offers almost free exceptional vistas that would otherwise require a steep climb. Molins Circular Hike offers amazing views towards both sides of the cape, with its crown jewel being the mesmerizing view towards Javea from the windmill area. 

    Pro tip: Make a small detour on Denia’s side to a beautiful viewpoint: Mirador del Cuni.

    Hike Details

    • Distance: 5.5km / 3.4mi
    • Duration: 1h30-2h00
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Color: Yellow
    • Type: Circular
    • Route: Aparcamiento Merendero – Mirador del Cuni – Els Molins – Santuario de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles
    • Coordinates: 38º80’54 ″ N – 0º17’69 ″ ° W

    Aparcamiento Merendero - Cap Sant Antoni Hike Views towards Javea, Spain
    Javea area from Cap Sant Antoni. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Aparcamiento Merendero – Cap de Sant Antoni

    Not really a hiking trail but rather just a section of it, but arguably the best part of it. Especially if you add a little twist to it and walk off the main road to an unnamed viewpoint, which offers the best views of the tip of Cap de Sant Antoni itself I’ve managed to find so far. The quality of the road is not as good as Molins Circular Hike which could be done from the same parking, but it is flat, thus suitable for most of people. If you don’t have much time to explore, this might be the route to make a good impression of what Cap de Sant Antoni has to offer in general.

    Hike Details

    • Distance: 1.9 km / 1.18 mi x2
    • Duration: 0h30 x2
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Color: Yellow
    • Type: Linear
    • Starting location: Aparcamiento Merendero
    • Target location: Cap de Sant Antoni
    • Coordinates: 38º81’75 ″ N – 0º16’74 ″ ° W

    View from Port Javea - Cap Sant Antoni hike, Spain
    The view towards Port Javea from Cap Sant Antoni. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Port Javea – Cap de Sant Antoni

    The signature hike of Javea from the port part of the town climbs Cap de Sant Antoni which is, after all, much closer to Javea than it is to Denia. Many locals and visitors of the town climb the cape each day, and so do the large houses of the super-rich living, or, at least, owning properties in otherwise protected areas. Javea missed the opportunity to preserve its side of the cape but luckily the hike goes through the remote untouched section of the last terrain of the Baetic mountains systems before it sinks into the deep sea and remerges again only in the Balearic Islands. Port Javea – Cap de Sant Antoni is a great nature getaway from an otherwise busy area.

    Hike Details

    • Distance: 1.9 km / 1.18 mi x2
    • Ascend: 154 m / 505 ft
    • Duration: 1h00 x2
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Color: Red
    • Type: Linear
    • Starting Location: Javea port
    • Target Location: Cap de Sant Antoni
    • Coordinates: 38º80’16 ″ N – 0º19’08 ″ ° W

    Cova Tallada in Cap Sant Antoni, Denia Spain
    Cova Tallada hike is among the top activities in Denia, Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Cova Tallada Hike

    Cova Tallada is a cave system by the Mediterranean Sea below high cliffs of Cap Sant Antoni. Might be the crown jewel of the whole area, I even did this hike on my Spain road trip when I had no idea what Denia or Marina Alta is. This rather short hikes is by no means for everyone – being able to tolerate heights and good shoes is the minimum requirement. Nevertheless, the hike to Cova Tallada is a very popular among tourists and locals alike. Due to some people not being able to keep even the simplest safety rules, the access to the hike is limited during peak seasons.

    Pro tip: Cova Tallada is a great snorkeling spot

    Hike Details

    • Distance: 1km / 0.62mi
    • Duration: 30-40min
    • Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Depending on season and experience
    • Color: Yellow
    • Type: Linear
    • Starting location: Les Rotes, Denia
    • Target location: Cova Tallada
    • Coordinates: 38º81’75 ″ N – 0º16’74 ″ ° W
    • Permit: Required between June 15 – September 30
    • More information: Hiking Cova Tallada

    Torre del Gerro Hike

    A small climb from the same location in Les Rotes as the Cova Tallada route starts. This is the shortest hike on the list, though be cautious – even given the wee distance and a relatively good road – it is a steep climb to Torre del Gerro. I wouldn’t suggest attempting the hike on a hot day unless you know what you’re doing. From Torre del Gerro beautiful vistas open towards Denia and its coast. Other hiking trails connect Torre del Gerro with Cova Tallada and Cap Sant Antoni.

    Hike Details

    • Distance: 1km / 0.62mi
    • Ascend: ± 120m / 400 ft
    • Duration: 20-30min x2
    • Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Depending on season and time of date
    • Color: Yellow
    • Type: Linear
    • Starting location: Les Rotes, Denia
    • Target location: Torre del Gerro
    • Coordinates: 38º81’89 ″ N – 0º15’73 ″ ° W
    • More information: Hike on Komoot
    • Download: Hike GPX

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    Torre del Gerro – Cap de Sant Antoni – Altomira

    This hike leads from one area of Denia through Cap de Sant Antoni to another, to be more precise from coastal Les Rotes to the highest part of the Montgo neighborhood. Adding an extra 1 or 2 km it is possible to connect the hike into a full circle. The route includes beautiful vistas of Cap de Sant Antoni, Les Rotes, Denia, and El Montgo. This is not an official hike and runs through sections of Torre del Gerro – Molins, PR-CV 355, and Cami de Colonia in the el Montgo hiking area.

    Hike Details

    • Distance: 4.4km / 2.73mi
    • Ascend: ± 130m / 425 ft
    • Duration: 1h30min
    • Difficulty: Moderate
    • Color: Yellow
    • Type: Linear
    • Starting location: Torre del Gerro
    • Target location: Altomira
    • Coordinates: 38º80’89 ″ N – 0º12’77 ″ ° W
    • More information: Hike on Komoot
    • Download: Hike GPX
    Torre del Gerro in Denia on Cap Sant Antoni, Spain
    All content and photos by Alis Monte. If you want to collaborate, contact me on info@wp.connectingcosta.com Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
  • Itinerary for 7-day Holiday in Tenerife, Spain

    Itinerary for 7-day Holiday in Tenerife, Spain

    Sunny Winter Holidays in Europe

    Winter… Winter always comes and once it does, somehow it feels that it never leaves. I hardly meet a person who doesn’t want to migrate somewhere warmer during the cold season. Here in Europe, we don’t have many places to run away from the bitter cold of winter, but the Canary Islands are one of them. Yes, it lies just next to Africa in the Atlantic, but technically – it is Europe. This Spanish territory is a legacy of the empire’s illustrious past.

    Today, Tenerife stands as a year-round haven for those seeking balmy weather and diverse experiences. In this guide, I’ll share a tried-and-true 7-day itinerary that showcases the best of Tenerife, from its stunning beaches to its majestic mountains.

    And don’t you feel like you deserve holidays on a sunny beach too? Maybe, with a mix of one or two adventures every now and then? That would be nice, isn’t it? I think any month could be a perfect time to put your umbrellas down and head to the biggest island of all the Canary Islands – Tenerife. Whether you’re basking in the sun or embarking on an adventure, Tenerife promises a dose of vitamin D and joy for every traveler.

    A road to Teide Volcano in Tenerife, Spain
    Teide Volcano is the crown jewel of the Canary Islands. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    7-Day Tenerife Itinerary

    • Day 1: Tenerife’s Beach Paradise – Begin your adventure by unwinding on some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches. Bask in the sun and soak in the picturesque views of the Atlantic.
    • Day 2: Marine Majesty – Dolphin and Whale Watching – Set sail on the azure waters for a chance to encounter playful dolphins and majestic whales, a highlight of Tenerife’s natural wonders.
    • Day 3: The Enchantment of Masca Village – Step into the quaint and captivating world of Masca, a hidden gem offering breathtaking views and rich history.
    • Day 4: Conquering Mount Teide – Ascend Spain’s highest peak for awe-inspiring vistas and an up-close experience with Tenerife’s volcanic majesty.
    • Day 5: Northern Tenerife – A Journey of Discovery – Venture into the island’s northern region to explore its unique landscapes and cultural richness, from Garachico to the lush Anaga Rural Park.
    • Day 6: Anaga Rural Park – Nature’s Masterpiece – Immerse yourself in the lush, green heart of Tenerife, a haven for hikers and nature lovers alike.
    • Day 7: Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Culture and Celebration – Conclude your journey in Tenerife’s vibrant capital, where culture, history, and modernity blend
    The view from Playa de los Roques, Puerto de la Cruz
    A typical view in the northern part of Tenerife. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Tenerife Island Details

    Tenerife Map

    Panorama from Sendero de los Sentidos, Tenerife
    You wouldn’t guess that Anaga Rural Park is located on the same island as an active volcano. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    How is the Weather in Tenerife?

    The weather in Tenerife is just fantastic throughout the year. In winter months like February – visiting Tenerife is just surreal. Not only do you get to take out your summer outfits out of the closet but to swim outdoors in a warm sea. One thing is for sure – there are not so many places with such pleasant weather during winter. Tenerife & the rest of the Canary Islands get to enjoy one of the best climates in the world. Why won’t you enjoy it too?

    People watching sunset on Playa de Arena, Tenerife
    Most of the beaches in Tenerife has its sand colored black by Teide volcano. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Day 1 – Enjoy Sun & the Best Tenerife Beaches

    Today is all about indulging in the simple pleasures of a beach holiday, setting the tone for an unforgettable week in Tenerife. To some, I imagine, this might sound a bit lame, but once you get your keys to a car and an apartment, the first thing you should do is to go out and head for the closest beach. Let’s start with a big chunk of Vitamin D, you know that it improves your mood, right? ² Good feels are what we are here for, be ready for a week of happiness as this feeling won’t leave you for the rest of the trip. A sunny beach with warm ocean water for sure is surreal once you get here on a winter out of cold Europe.

    Keep in mind that due to possible big waves, some of the beaches might be closed. In that case, just head for any beach with a breakwater, I marked some on the map.

    After the beach, you should walk around, and get to know your neighborhood – find those grocery shops for the morning milk runs and the pubs for the late-night drinks. Picking the best area for your base will vary based on yout personal preferences, but I highly recommend the area around Los Gigantes for its breathtaking evening views, where the sky and sea meet in a spectacular display of colors.


    Day 2 – Take the Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour

    Due to past experience on some other islands, I wasn’t expecting more than beautiful vistas of the island out of the tour. That was true but so was the following. From what I learned the chances of encountering these playful and intelligent creatures are exceptionally high. It might sound strange, but most of the dolphins seek out the boats themselves. They do it either for some wave-riding along the human vessels or simply just because they want to befriend you. Either way, you won’t be able to tell the difference. The dolphins will be there to cheer you up and that combined, with more sea, and more sun will guarantee some quality time. Based on my personal experience (besides the North Atlantic), Tenerife was the only island where dolphins still reach out for boats. In many places, like Mauritius and other coasts suffering from over-tourism, the opposite is true. Therefore, it is very important to take one of the eco-dolphin-friendly tours to keep these majestic creatures still interested in us.

    While dolphin sightings are common, spotting a whale is a moment of serendipity, a special gift from the sea.

    Alternatively, you can take a ferry or tour to La Gomera Island and spend your day there. Most of the dolphin and whale watching tours are heading for territory between Tenerife and La Gomera anyway, where these encounters are very common.

    If you are afraid to get seasick, I would still recommend spending this day not too far from the sea. You just got here and there is still plenty of time to see the rest of the island. Today is the day for the sea and the further enjoyment of the beautiful beaches of Tenerife.


    Day 3 – Visit Masca Village

    By now you probably gotten used to warm weather and the sun (hopefully without too much of a sunburn). It is time to turn your holidays into an adventure to remember. Not like it is boring to lay down on a mattress by the sea reading a book and sipping one Gin Topic after another, but by now you probably have noticed a giant mountain overlooking the island. It kinda looks interesting, doesn’t it? We’ll get there on time, don’t worry, but for now, let’s get closer to the sea. What about getting on that big cliff called Los Gigantes?

    Besides Mount Teide itself, probably the most popular natural attraction on Tenerife island is Masca village, and the so-called Masca hike. The route goes down from the village through Masca Gorge to Playa de Masca at sea level. As of 2019, it was closed down for safety upgrades because some genius decided to do the hike with slippers – don’t be that person, it is not the same as going to the closest supermarket to buy another six-pack.

    Despite the hike being open or closed, Masca Village is highly recommended for any visitor to Tenerife Island. The Teno Massif surrounding the settlement is absolutely mesmerizing. In fact, the whole Teno region used to be a separate small island, which later joined forces with other islets to form what is now called Tenerife Island.

    Sadly, I never had a chance to do the track but by now I hope it is open again for visitors. From what I read and from what I saw, the Masca hike is usually a one-way walk to the beach from where a water taxi will take you back to Los Gigantes but the times might have changed. What definitely has changed is that Masca village is no longer reachable by car. You’ll need to take a bus from the nearest town. Alternatively, you can do a longer and more spectacular guided hike to the ocean from Santiago del Teide. Apparently, you’ll also need a permit to access Masca Gorge Trail, but guided tours will handle this for you.


    Day 4 – Get on the Top of Tenerife Island – Teide Volcano

    While the main reason to go to the Canary Islands is its stable climate, the main reason to pick Tenerife Island for your holidays in the Canary Islands is Mount Teide. Yes, it is the biggest island of all the archipelago and it is amazing – infrastructure and beaches are as good as it gets. Nevertheless, there is nothing similar to Mount Teide on the other islands of the Canaries, and as a matter of fact – the whole of Spain. Mount Teide is the highest mountain in the whole country and did I mention that it is an active volcano too? At the narrowest point up in the north, the sea level and the top of Mount Teide are separated only by 13km / 8 mi. That alone makes the landscape of the island truly awe-inspiring. The one you cannot mistake with anything else.

    What is even better – is the various possibilities to reach the peak of Mount Teide. Most of us will reach it by the cable car running from the base station (2,356m / 7,730ft) to La Rambleta (3,555m / 11,663ft). The very peak of Mount Teide (3,718 / 12,198ft) could be only reached by foot with a special permit that you can get here from the park authorities. In the recent years, with the growth of visitors and the necessity of eco-tourism as a result, guided group tours to Teide Volcano have become very popular – no more worries about parking slots or any other organizational stuff.

    If anybody wants to see more of Teide National Park, they can climb the whole mountain on foot. The hike could start almost from anywhere, including the full challenge of climbing Mount Teide from the sea level. More adventurous people might also want to try the Teide Volcano sunrise hike or sunset tour.


    Day 5 – Visit the North of Tenerife Island

    Many ask which side of Tenerife they should go. North or South? There is no such thing as the right answer to this question. Both faces of Tenerife Island are totally different. It is like Two-Face from the Batman series. While the south is sun-drenched, has more spaces and golden beaches, the north is totally different. This part of Tenerife is where the island’s volcanic heritage and lush landscapes come to life, offering a blend of nature, history, and culture.

    Garachico in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
    Garachico is listed among top most beautiful villages in Spain. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Los Gigantes is located on the edge of both sides. Today we go further to the North than we ever did before. The whole route will slowly bring you to a totally different world. First stop – Garachico – an old port founded in 1496 by a Genoese banker after Tenerife was conquered by the Crown of Castille. Its importance diminished in 1706 when a volcanic eruption destroyed part of the town. Today, Garachico is an interesting tourist destination offering informational historical walks around the city surrounded by 500m+ / 1500ft cliffs.

    After visiting Garachico, drive along the coast towards Puerto de la Cruz, where you no longer have to worry about the road quality. The areas beyond the Teno region, offer smooth travel, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the experience with everything on the table.

    The rest of the day should be spent based on your preference. It is the time to visit Loro Park or walk around Puerto de la Cruz. Our choice was to have a picnic in Playa de los Roques, or you can visit La Orotova instead. Just don’t press too far – tomorrow is the time for La Laguna and Anaga Rural Park.

    Playa de los Roques near Puerto de Santago, Tenerife
    The northern side is not as spacious as the southern one. Eveything feels like it was molded by Teide itself. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Day 6 – Enter the Hikers’ Paradise – Anaga Rural Park

    Most of us associate Tenerife and the whole Canary Islands with volcanic formations. Anaga Forest is a totally different landscape. It is a true jungle from the movies: lush green with the sunlight blocked by the trees – alive & dangerous – nothing in common with desolate volcanic rocks. Well, at least, from the first sight.

    The whole Anaga Forest is growing in a mountainous area formed between 7-9mya, after a volcanic eruption. Ever since life transformed this landscape to something more exotic than you’d expect from Tenerife. That is so for a reason – Anaga Rural Park has more endemic species than any other area in the whole of Europe. For that reason, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere Reserve in 2015. Actually, a pity it happened so recently.

    These unique natural features attract many outdoor enthusiasts but the Anaga Forest does something way more important. The forest controls the humidity and fertility of the island. Back in the days, when wood was the most important building material, people started deforesting the area. It was noted that the microclimate of Tenerife has changed. Ever since the forest preservation took place. Unfortunately, not so many places in Spain remain with an authentic forest.

    Tip: No matter where you plan to stay for the first days, you should consider relocating to Santa Cruz de Tenerife on this day as you’ll spend the rest of your time in the western part of the island.

    Day 7 – Party at the Capital of Tenerife Island – Santa Cruz

    After all the breathtaking variety of nature, Tenerife Island has, it is finally the time to see some of the local culture. I can hardly think of a better place to do so than the Capital of the island – Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

    Even though Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the most populated city in the whole archipelago, don’t underestimate Santa Cruz. After all, it does share the Capital status of the Canary Islands with Las Palmas and has that feeling of a major city. There is plenty of cultural stuff to do during the day, and more than enough things to do at night. It is especially true during the Carnival at the end of February or at the beginning of March. It is not a well-known fact that Santa Cruz de Tenerife hosts the second biggest Carnival in the whole world, bowing down only to the famous Rio de Janeiro.

    The dates of the event vary from year to year but you can read more about it in my different article about the schedule of Carnival de Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2024. This is surely one hell of an event not to miss if you are around. The whole Santa Cruz de Tenerife turns into a party day after day.

    The big parade in Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival
    The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the second biggest in the whole world. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Where to Stay in Tenerife?

    Most of the visitors to Tenerife holidays head to resort towns located around Playa de las Americas like Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos. Unless you are visiting Tenerife for beach holidays only, I would recommend getting a bit further from the crowds instead.

    From what I saw, the popular destinations feel like they were built for people seeking package holiday getaways. It was done in the most uninteresting part of Tenerife Island. All the cool stuff is somewhere else.

    If you want to get intimate with the natural beauty of the island, Los Gigantes or La Laguna are the better choices. If you don’t like calm places, Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Puerto de la Cruz are the places to go.

    Los Gigantes in Tenerife, Canary Islands
    Los Gigantes provides the most dramatic everyday views from all the resort areas in Tenerife. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Personal Experience

    There were things I expected with high expectations and they didn’t disappoint me. The Crown Jewel of Tenerife – Mount Teide exceeded even my most optimistic hopes. At the time of my visit, the whole Teide National Park was beyond my imagination. I never expected to see a new type of landscape ever again, and here it was a somewhat barren, yet rich, in both case alien and bizarre surroundings of the tallest point in all territories of Spain.

    Despite its uniqueness and beauty, it was not only Mount Teide that made the whole journey across the island so exceptional. Not a single day left me disappointed. Every day it felt like a different adventure on a different island. It is not your one trick pony like paradise beach island Mahe in Seychelles, or Mauritius snorkeling heaven. Tenerife has many faces and excels to perfection in some of them. If you follow this itinerary, I’m sure you’ll experience the same. The largest islands in the Canaries have more than enough to offer to anybody.

    Man sitting on the top of Mount Teide, 3,718m
    The Cable Car will take you almost to the top of Mount Teide, but to reach the very peak you’ll need a permit. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Sources:

    ¹ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/travel-and-events/holiday-weather/europe/canary-islands/tenerife
    ² Young S. N. (2007). How to increase serotonin in the human brain without drugs. Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience : JPN, 32(6), 394–399.

  • The 9 Best Things to do in Calpe, Spain

    The 9 Best Things to do in Calpe, Spain

    About Calpe

    Nestled on the sun-kissed coast of Spain, Calpe beckons with its rich tapestry of history and natural beauty. This charming town, cradled by the majestic Penon de Ifach, has witnessed the ebb and flow of civilizations for over 3,000 years. The Phoenicians, known for their seafaring prowess, were among the earliest to leave their mark, drawn to this region by the same rock formation that today stands as a symbol of Calpe’s enduring allure. As they navigated the Iberian shores, they referred to the Penon de Ifach as the “rock of the north,” contrasting it with the renowned rock of Gibraltar, then known as Mons Calpe. These early settlers saw in Calpe’s rugged landscape a mirror to their other settlements across the Mediterranean, leaving behind a legacy that whispers through the town’s ancient streets.

    Calpe’s story is further enriched by the footprints of the Greeks and Romans. The Greeks, in their vast explorations, recognized the unique geological formations like Penon de Ifach, terming them ‘Calpe,’ a name resonating with descriptions of large stand-alone rocks. This connection to the ancient world hints at a deeper, possibly pre-Roman, history of the town, suggesting an intriguing blend of cultures over the millennia. The Romans, captivated by Calpe’s strategic location and natural beauty, established a settlement that has grown into a treasure trove of historical wonders. Baños de la Reina, a testament to Roman ingenuity with its well-preserved mosaics and hydraulic systems, stands as a silent witness to the town’s vibrant past. These ancient ruins, now nestled between the iconic Penon de Ifach and Calpe’s bustling city center, offer a portal to a time when Romans appreciated the natural splendors of this enchanting land, a sentiment that continues to resonate with modern visitors. Today, the city enjoys a huge interest from foreigners and locals alike resulting in rapid growth in size and attractions.

    The Old Town of Calpe, Spain
    Yes, Calpe has an Old Town of its own. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Calpe Details

    • Location: Marina Alta
    • Province: Alicante
    • Coordinates: 38.6436° N, 0.0457° E
    • Distance from Alicante: 64 km / 39.76 mi
    • Distance from Valencia: 122.4 km / 76.05 mi
    • First mentioned: 4th Century BC (Pytheas of Massalia)
    • Population: 29,718 (2011)
    • Area: 23.51 km² / 9 mi²
    • Forecast: Calpe weather
    • Best time to visit: Late spring & early autumn

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    1. Visit  Peñón de Ifach

    Standing as a natural sentinel over Calpe, the Peñón de Ifach is an obvious number-one activity for any great outdoors enthusiast visiting the area. This towering limestone formation, soaring 332 m / 1,089 ft above the sea, is not only an iconic symbol of the region but also a haven for nature enthusiasts and hikers. The climb to the top, though steep and challenging, rewards visitors with breathtaking panoramic views of Calpe’s coastline and the vast Mediterranean Sea. Along the way, hikers are likely to encounter a rich variety of local flora and fauna, including rare bird species. The summit offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the Costa Blanca from an unparalleled vantage point, making this experience a memorable highlight of any trip to Calpe. The views from the top of the rock of Calpe are so exceptionally beautiful that many people are trying to hit above their class by climbing the mountain. If you are not sure you are fit for the task, you can read more about it in my guide to the Penon de Ifach hike.


    Carrer del Rector Penalva in Calp, Spain
    The central walls of the bastion in the middle of Calpe were built somewhere between the 13th and 14th centuries to protect local farmers from Muslim attacks. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    2. Visit the Historic Old Town

    Calpe’s Historic Old Town is a vibrant tapestry of history and culture, offering a journey back in time through its narrow, winding streets. This charming quarter is a mosaic of ancient stone buildings, colorful murals, and Gothic churches, each telling its own story of the town’s rich past. As you wander through these quaint lanes, you’ll discover hidden plazas and delightful cafés, perfect for soaking in the local atmosphere. The Torreó de la Peça, an old defense tower, now serves as a cultural symbol of the town’s resilience through the ages. The blend of Moorish and Spanish architecture is a visual feast, and the artisan shops scattered throughout the area offer unique, handcrafted souvenirs. A visit to the old town is not just a walk through Calpe’s history, but an immersive experience in the living heart of this enchanting Spanish town. If you want to learn more about this topic, I have a separate article where I focus purely on the Old Town and the rich history of Calpe and the region.


    3. Enjoy Sunset on a Boat Cruise

    There’s no more enchanting way to end a day in Calpe than by embarking on a sunset boat cruise. As the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange, pink, and purple, the Mediterranean Sea turns into a glittering canvas of colors. Aboard the cruise, you can feel the gentle sea breeze and hear the soothing sound of the waves, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere. It’s an ideal setting for photography enthusiasts, capturing the silhouette of the Peñón de Ifach against the fiery sky. Cruises include amenities like light refreshments or dinner, allowing you to savor local flavors while you float along the coast. This magical experience not only offers a different perspective of Calpe’s stunning coastline but also provides a tranquil moment to reflect on the day’s adventures.


    4. See Great Flamingos in Les Salinas de Calpe

    A visit to Les Salinas de Calpe offers a unique wildlife experience right in the heart of the town. This natural saltwater lagoon, a remnant of ancient salt mining traditions, has become a sanctuary for a variety of bird species, most notably the elegant flamingos. These iconic birds, with their vibrant pink plumage and graceful movements, create a picturesque scene against the backdrop of the lagoon and the distant Peñón de Ifach. Bird watchers and nature lovers can stroll around the perimeter of the lagoon, enjoying the tranquility and capturing stunning photographs. The presence of informational boards along the paths provides insights into the ecology of the area and the life cycle of these fascinating birds. A visit to Les Salinas is not just a chance to witness the beauty of flamingos in their natural habitat, but also an opportunity to appreciate the delicate balance of Calpe’s unique ecosystem.


    Calpe from the tunnel to Penon de Ifach, Spain
    Playa de la Fossa(right) and Arenal-Bol(Far-left) from the tunnel to Penon de Ifach peak. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    5. Explore the Beaches of Calpe

    The beaches of Calpe are a cornerstone of its charm, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and leisure activities. From the bustling Arenal-Bol to the more serene La Fossa, each beach has its own unique character. Arenal-Bol, with its fine golden sand and crystal-clear waters, is ideal for families, offering a safe and vibrant environment for swimming and sunbathing. La Fossa, known for its picturesque views of the Peñón de Ifach, provides a tranquil escape with its pristine shoreline and gentle waves. For those seeking a more secluded experience, the small coves dotting the coastline, like Cala del Morelló, offer peaceful retreats away from the crowds. Each beach is well-equipped with amenities like sun loungers, beach bars, and water sports facilities, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable day by the sea. Whether you’re looking to relax under the Mediterranean sun, take a dip in the azure waters, or try your hand at windsurfing or paddleboarding, Calpe’s beaches offer something for every kind of beach-goer.


    6. Take a Leisurely Stroll along the Promenade

    The Paseo Marítimo in Calpe is a delightful promenade that stretches along the coastline, offering a scenic route for a leisurely walk. Lined with swaying palm trees and offering stunning views of the sea and the Peñón de Ifach, the promenade is a perfect place to experience the vibrant heartbeat of Calpe. As you stroll along, you’ll pass by a variety of charming restaurants and cafes, each offering a taste of local and international cuisine, often with al fresco dining options that allow you to enjoy your meal with a view. The walkway is also dotted with small boutiques and souvenir shops, perfect for browsing local crafts and gifts. In the evenings, the promenade comes alive with a gentle buzz of activity, making it an ideal spot for a romantic walk under the stars or an enjoyable evening out with family and friends. Whether for a morning jog, a leisurely afternoon stroll, or an evening meander, the Paseo Marítimo is a must-visit to truly embrace the coastal charm of Calpe.


    7. Climb Morro de Toix

    For those seeking an adventure off the beaten path, climbing Morro de Toix offers an exhilarating experience. This impressive cliff, located at the edge of Calpe, provides stunning views of the coastline and the Mediterranean Sea. As you ascend, the panoramic vistas unfold, offering breathtaking perspectives of the Calpe bays and the sprawling landscapes below. For rock climbing enthusiasts, there are various routes with different levels of difficulty, each promising an exciting and rewarding journey, but regular people can always climb Morro de Toix via urbanization roads from Calpe’s side. The summit of Morro de Toix is a peaceful spot, ideal for contemplation and taking in the natural beauty of the Costa Blanca. This activity not only tests your physical limits but also provides a unique way to connect with the rugged and raw beauty of Calpe’s natural landscape.

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    8. Enjoy Fresh Seafood & Local Cuisine

    Calpe’s culinary scene is a delightful celebration of fresh seafood and traditional Spanish flavors. The town’s close proximity to the sea ensures a constant supply of fresh fish and seafood, making it a paradise for seafood lovers. Local restaurants, ranging from cozy taverns to elegant eateries, offer a variety of dishes that showcase the best of Mediterranean cuisine. Signature dishes like paella, seafood stew, and fresh grilled fish are prepared with locally sourced ingredients, bringing the authentic taste of the region to your plate. Alongside seafood, one can also savor other regional specialties such as arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish stock), tapas, and fideuà (a noodle dish similar to paella). For a truly immersive experience, pair your meal with a glass of local wine or a refreshing sangria. Dining in Calpe is not just about the food; it’s an opportunity to indulge in the rich gastronomic culture of the region, with each meal offering a glimpse into the town’s culinary heritage and the Mediterranean lifestyle.


    9. Visit Suitopia Skybar

    Elevating the experience of Calpe’s vibrant nightlife is the Suitopia Skybar, a must-visit destination for those seeking a blend of luxury and stunning views. Located at the top of one of Calpe’s tallest buildings, this stylish skybar offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the town, the Mediterranean Sea, and the majestic Peñón de Ifach. As the sun sets, the skybar transforms into a picturesque setting, with the changing colors of the sky creating a mesmerizing backdrop. Guests can enjoy a variety of expertly crafted cocktails, fine wines, and a selection of gourmet snacks, all served in an elegant and contemporary atmosphere. The Suitopia Skybar is not just about the drinks; it’s an experience that combines stunning vistas, sophisticated ambiance, and exceptional service. Whether you’re looking to relax after a day of exploring or seeking a sophisticated evening out, the Suitopia Skybar promises an unforgettable experience in the heart of Calpe.

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    Map of Calpe & Walks

    Salinas de Calpe, Spain
    All content and photos by Alis Monte. If you want to collaborate, contact me on info@wp.connectingcosta.com Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
  • Calpe Guide: History, Old Town, Activities & Map

    Calpe Guide: History, Old Town, Activities & Map

    The Forgotten Historic Old Town of Calpe

    Nestled amongst the bustling modernity, Calpe’s old town is a hidden gem, a testament to its rich and diverse history. Wandering through its narrow streets, one can feel the layers of time peeling back, revealing tales of ancient civilizations and bygone eras. The town’s architecture is a mosaic of different influences – from the Moors to the Romans – each leaving an indelible mark on its character. Intricate doorways lead to sun-dappled courtyards, and the scent of traditional Spanish cuisine wafts from small family-owned restaurants. Despite the encroaching modern developments, this part of Calpe remains stubbornly authentic, a bastion of the town’s heritage. It’s a place where the past coexists with the present, offering a serene contrast to the thriving tourist spots nearby. Here, the true essence of Calpe’s spirit endures, unspoiled and enchanting, inviting those who seek more than just a superficial glimpse into its storied past.

    The historic center of Calpe is so engulfed by hotels and second-apartment houses that it is very easy to miss it entirely. It took me a couple of years to find it – the old town hides much further from Penon de Ifach and the main beaches. At some point, it felt absolutely unnoticed by the crowds, and thank God. It is a true break from the noisy promenades and touristic restaurants. A small corner where the locals can still enjoy their typical Spanish life on Costa Blanca and I have to say with a style. The tourist cow is bringing a lot of milk to Calpe, and the streets and houses of the historic center are more colourful than an average town in Spain. Though perfect for Instagram pictures, it is not everything Calpe has to offer, the town has a long history which now is literally lost between the hotels.

    Calpe city from Penon de Ifach, Spain
    Calpe city from Penon de Ifach. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Calpe Details

    • Location: Marina Alta
    • Province: Alicante
    • Coordinates: 38.6436° N, 0.0457° E
    • Distance from Alicante: 64 km / 39.76 mi
    • Distance from Valencia: 122.4 km / 76.05 mi
    • First mentioned: 4th Century BC (Pytheas of Massalia)
    • Population: 29,718 (2011)
    • Area: 23.51 km² / 9 mi²
    • Forecast: Calpe weather
    • Best time to visit: Late spring & early autumn

    Map of Calpe & Old Town

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    Penon de Ifach from Calp beach, Spain
    Calpe is located at one of the most beautiful geographical places in Costa Blanca. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Calpe’s Origins

    Thanks to the graceful rock known as Penon de Ifach (Spanish peñón de translates to the “rock of”, and Libo-Phoenician Ifac to “of the north”), this area has been known at least since the times when the first Phoenicians have been exploring the Iberian shores about 3,000 years ago. These ancient but great navigators referred to Gibraltar and Penon de Ifach as the south and the north rocks, respectively. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if they settled in the area of the current-day Calpe. Especially, given that they were the first historical settlers near the rock of Gibraltar, which back then was known as Mons Calpe (Phoenician the “hollowed mountain”). The archaeological data shows Phoenician presence since 950 BC. Gibraltar was by far not the only Phoenician settlement in the Iberian peninsula, therefore it is a plausible thesis for them to have settled in a town with the same name as Mons Calpe by a similar graceful rock. 

    The Greeks knew even more Calpes. In 401 BC, after the battle of Cunaxa, the Greek philosopher Xenophon found himself as the leader of 10,000 fleeing men through an unknown country. In his diary, the Greek speaks of Calpe – a large rock on the shores of the Black Sea. It is hard to say if it was the name of a settlement or simply the name for such geological formations. Either way, Calpe was clearly mentioned in that name several times in Xenophon’s diary and in some ancient Greek maps. Today that settlement is probably known as Kerpe.

    Translated from Greek, Calpe means something similar to urn or round-vessel. The word might have been used to describe large stand-alone rocks like Gibraltar and Penon de Ifach. Given that the ancient Greeks already knew how to process fish, could it be that Baños de la Reina salting factory was founded much earlier than we imagine? Maybe, Greek sailors colonized the area before the Romans? That remains only a thesis for now.

    Baños de la Reina in Calp, Spain
    Today, the Roman settlement in Calpe is known as Baños de la Reina. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    The Roman Calpe

    During the Roman times, Calpe was nothing but a small enclave, dependent on the nearby Dianium (Today’s Denia). Despite its size, this ancient site holds many wonders of its own. The Roman settlement had a hydraulic system, which provided water to its inhabitants. Also, because of its well-preserved mosaics, Calpe is counted as one of the most important Roman heritage sites in the province of Alicante. Today, it lies almost unnoticed between Penon de Ifach and the city center. Ironically, the first hotels of Calpe arose just next to the ancient settlement in the early 20s.

    One thing I’m sure of the Spanish ancestors is that they appreciated natural beauty as much as modern humans do, and possibly even more. The Roman baths and fishery pools, known as Baños de la Reina, in Calpe, were built close by Penon de Ifach, just at the right distance to appreciate its magnificence the most. While the site was most likely used mainly for the fish farming and salinating needs of the nearby city Dianium, the scenery must have been taken into account for the location of the settlement. One could argue that the desire of modern people to move to Calpe was inherited from the Romans or the people who have been doing the same process even before.

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    Baños de la Reina in Calp, Spain 2
    Sierra Gelada and Benidorm Rock from Baños de la Reina. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    The Moorish Calpe

    Not that many remain in the historic records of Calpe during the Moorish reign. One possibility is that the invasion of the Muslims into the Iberian Peninsula could have given the name to Calpe even before the conquerors arrived here. It is well known that in the 8th century, the Berber commander Tariq ibn Ziyad launched his attack from Gibraltar Rock, which was known ever since as Jabal Tariq (eng. the mountain of Tariq). This name evolved into modern Gibraltar but the town by the iconic rock was known as Calpe since the prehistoric Phoenician times. you can even find the name “Calpe” on the coat of arms of Gibraltar. It could be that in the 8th century, the settlers of Calpe of the straits fled as far as possible to Costa Blanca, where they found a similar rock and named their new settlement in honour of their old home.

    After a successful conquest of Marina Alta, the new rulers built their castle further to the South from Calpe, on a mountain, overlooking the Canyon of Mascarat. It was the central administrative and defensive base in the area of Marina Alta to the south of Mount Montgo. The Moors remained in control until the region was reconquered by the Christians somewhere in 1240-54.

    Moors and Chritians mural in Calp, Spain
    Mural in Carrer del Mar, Calp. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Despite that, many Moors were allowed to remain in Iberia in their homes. Those who chose this path got to be known as mudéjar (romanized version of Arabic “mudajjan”, meaning tamed, domesticated). In fact, unlike most of the Iberian Peninsula, Muslims greatly outnumbered Christians in the region of Valencia. These demographics combined with the discrimination and violence against Mudéjar people led to several uprisings, known as Al-Azraq revolts in honour of the famous commander who led all of them. Al-Azraq (Arabian the one with blue eyes) had a Muslim father and a Christian mother. Even after these revolts, the local Muslim population was allowed to live in the area including Calpe until 1526, when Islam was banned in the Kingdom of Aragon. Between 1609-1614, even Moriscos (Mudéjars converted to Christianity) were expelled from the country.

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    The Christian Calpe

    There are speculations that the city walls of the historic Calpe could be dating as far as Roman times but there is no direct evidence to this thesis. In fact, it was the Christian King Pere IV who ordered the strengthening of the existing walls in 1338 but it was executed only in 1375 under Alfons el Vell who found the money for the job in the budget. It was crucial for the existence of Calpe in these sometimes hostile lands. Soon after, in 1386 the castle of Calpe was divided into towns currently known as Teulada, Benissa, Senija, and Calpe. The newly formed units started to shape the area into what we are used to today.

    Carrer del Rector Penalva in Calp, Spain
    The central walls of the bastion in the middle of Calpe were built somewhere between the 13th and 14th centuries to protect local farmers from Muslim attacks. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Probably the biggest impact on Marina Alta and Calpe during the Christian reign was done with the terrible decree to expel Moriscos from Spain. It was signed by King Felipe III himself, which left the Moors only with three days to reach the closest port to leave the country. Moriscos were allowed to take only what they could carry on their bodies. Everything else was to stay. To make things worse, anyone who found Moorish people after the three days was allowed to take everything from them and even kill Moriscos if they resisted. This, of course, went wrong in all possible ways, not to mention the fact that the Moors had lived in the Iberian Peninsula for over 800 years at that time. Twice as many years have passed since this inhumane event.

    At that time, 127,000 Moriscos, who were expelled or killed represented 30% of the Valencian population. The area of Denia and Javea alone lost about 42,000 people and in many cases, they were the most productive people around. Obviously, these events had counter-productive consequences, and the only people to profit were the people in charge, of selling the homes and other property of Moriscos. Even so, the profits were only short-term because the lands were left uncultivated, and the equilibrium was destroyed. Nothing was left but despair and desolation on the shores of Calpe and Valencia in general. In the 17th century, the town was plagued by Barbary pirates. Calpe was no exception. Most of the coastal areas have experienced the attacks – it was the same Moriscos who had returned to their homeland with rage against Spain. Nevertheless, the population of Calpe kept increasing and the situation of the town finally consolidated after hundreds of years of hardships. The growth of the town continued towards the direction of provincial powerhouses Alicante and Altea.

    Today, Calpe is a very popular vacation destination or a second house choice, once again the city seems to have become the home for many different peoples. Maybe, that is the correct recipe for its success.

    The historic streets of Calpe, Spain.
    Wandering around the streets of the historic center of Calpe is well worth at least 1 – 2 hours of your time. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Things to do in Calpe


    Explore Valencia from Calpe: Full-Day Excursion

    Discover the rich history of Valencia on a day trip from Calpe, with cultural highlights and free time to explore.

    Book now


    Calpe Catamaran Cruise with Sunset & Sparkling Wine

    Embark on a serene sunset cruise from Calpe, complete with sparkling wine. Experience the beauty of the Mediterranean at dusk.

    Book now


    Benidorm Palace Show: A Night of ‘Fire’

    Experience ‘Fire’ at Benidorm Palace, a spectacular blend of talent, technology, and artistry in a Las Vegas-style show.

    Book now

    If you are interested in finding out more activities in the city, you can read my guide for the best things to do in Calpe.

    Les salinas de Calpe, Spain
    All content and photos by Alis Monte. If you want to collaborate, contact me on info@wp.connectingcosta.com Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
  • Best Scenic Hikes in Marina Alta Coast

    Best Scenic Hikes in Marina Alta Coast

    About Marina Alta

    Without a doubt, Marina Alta is the most beautiful region of Costa Blanca. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was ranked right there at the top on a hypothetical factual “the most beautiful Mediterranean coastlines of mainland Europe”. There is no such list but what I’m trying to say – Marina Alta is exceptionally beautiful. You might not have heard of it but sure you have heard of Ibiza and Balearic Islands? Marina Alta is the part of Spain between the gulf of Valencia and the gulf of Alicante, which is the closest point to these iconic Spanish islands. I would argue that the cliffs and some of the beaches are just as beautiful as in the islands. One way or another, any of the best hikes in Marina Alta could be a very pleasant surprise.

    Levanders on top of Cap d'Or in Marina Alta, Spain
    Due to the beauty and magic of its landscape, Marina Alta was densely populated by Iberian Culture from about 8th century BC. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Geography & Geology

    The direct translation of Marina Alta from Spanish to English is the “high port”, as an opposition to the nearby Marina Baixa, or the “low docks”, the region surrounding Benidorm. The name of Marina Alta could be easily explained by geography and geology. The region is located on the southernmost edge of mainland Spain, which has raised from the sea millions of years ago, when the Eurasian plate collided with the African one. This massive event led to the genesis of many mountains in Europe, but the closest to the point of origin are the Betic Mountains, with Marina Alta located on one end of it. The other being nothing else but famous Gibraltar and Betic Mountains dominating the scenery of the whole landscape in-between in one way or another.

    As Phoenicians themselves noticed in ancient times, Betic Mountains is more or less the area between the Western Rock (Gibraltar) and the Eastern Rock (Penon de Ifach). Technically, the latter one being a part of Marina Alta but since I wrote about climbing Penon de Ifach so much, this hiking route will escape the list at least for now. Despite that, the famous Cape rock adds to the region of Marina Alta, which is simply could be called a hikers’ paradise.

    Hiking Los Acantilados in Benitachell, Spain
    I’m yet to find a corner of Marina Alta to disappoint me. Photo by A.L. [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Marina Alta Details

    • Location: Costa Blanca
    • Province: Alicante
    • Coordinates: 38.7787° N, 0.0373°
    • Biggest cities: Denia, Javea & Calp
    • Population: 175,156 (2018)
    • Area: 767.2 km2 (296.21 sq mi)
    • Time zone: Central European Standard Time (GMT+1)
    • Currency: Euro
    • Driving side: left
    • Forecast: Javea forecast
    • Best time to visit: April, June, September & October

    Marina Alta Hiking Map

    Cap Prim, Island of Pertixol and Cap Negre in Marina Alta, Spain
    From left to right: Cap Prim, Island of Portixol and Cap Negre. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Calla del Moraig – Calla del Llebeig (Los Acantilados)

    Los Acantilados hike is probably the most popular outdoor destination in the area for the high and exceptionally beautiful beaches: Cala del Moraig and Cala Llebeig. The first one is a very popular attraction on its own, offering very unique geological formations, and the latter one is a pristine remote fishing beach, straight out from a postcard. They are connected via the Los Acantilados hike, which a semi-easy walk amid very high cliffs. The route offers majestic views all the way. If you can deal with some steps, the heights, and the crowds, this could be easily the hike to pursue in Marina Alta.

    Key features

    • High cliffs
    • Pristine beaches
    • Caves
    • Geological formations
    • Hermit houses
    Cap d'Or from Los Anactilados hiking trail - one of the best hikes in Marina Alta, Spain
    The high cliffs of Benitachell ends at Cap d’Or (eng. Golden Cape). Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hike Details

    • Location: Benitachell Cliffs
    • Starting location: Moraig Cove
    • Target location: Llebeig Beach
    • Distance: ~2 km / 1.24 mi x2
    • Ascend: 100 m / 328 ft
    • Type: Linear
    • Duration: ~0h50 x2
    • Difficulty: Intermediate
    • Color: Yellow
    Falla del Moraig from Los Avantilados in Marina Alta, Spain
    From left to right: Cap de la Nao, La Granadella, Morro Falqui & Falla del Moraig. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Though the official hiking trail of Los Acantilados goes past Cala Llebeig back upwards the mountain, there is no reasonable option to make it a circle route. I did not find it to be a major problem as the views are equally stunning in both directions. The hiking trail goes along the cliffs, somewhere in a midst of it. This gives an illusion of being somewhere remote in nature, though in reality the cliff is heavily urbanized just above your head. Along Los Acantilados you’ll find a few remote hermit houses, used to shelter animals by shepherds almost 100 years ago.

    While the hiking trail between the two beaches is relatively short, it is not possible to quickly cruise through the whole route. Parts of the hike require extra attention due to the narrow passages by the steep cliffs. The final section of the hike gives breath-taking views of Cala Llebeig, but descending to the beach might be not for everybody. Climbing back up will literally going to take your breath away.

    Steps to Calla Llebeig of benitachell in marina Alta, Spain
    The descend to Calla Llebeig might be not for everybody, but the viewpoint itself is worth the hike. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Cova dels Arcs

    Los Acantilados might be the most sought hiking trail in Marina Alta, but it doesn’t define everything this gorgeous corner has to offer. At the edge of Cala dėl Moraig lies a beautiful cave – Cova dels Arcs. It has a few entrances forming a spider-like rock sculpture Cova dels Arcs is a perfect example of what happens when a continental karst system goes underwater. Today, this exceptional geological formation is a symbol of the Valencian coastline and challenges Los Acantilados for the top tourist destination in Benitachell. 

    Cova dels Arcs in Marina Alta, Spain
    You’ll find a short walking trail up to Cova dels Arcs. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Falla del Moraig Walking Trail

    Another interesting geological formation found right next to Cala del Moraig and Cova dels Arcs is Falla del Moraig. You can access it on a short 15-min walking trail (marked pink) right from Cala del Moraig. Many people mistake this hiking route with Los Acantilados, thus be sure to check the hiking map, I provided above.

    Hike Details

    • Location: Benitachell Cliffs
    • Starting location: Moraig Cove
    • Target location: Falla del Moraig
    • Distance: 0.3 km / 0.19 mi x2
    • Ascend: 15 m / 49 ft
    • Type: Linear
    • Duration: ~0h15 x2
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Color: Pink
    Falla del Moraig in Benitachell of Marina Alta, Spain
    I bet Falla del Moraig animated the imagination of many people. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Though Falla del Moraig resembles a phallus, the word “falla” stands for a fault, because this geological formation is a good example of a normal fault line. This creative term describes a crack within the earth, where the upper block slides down relative to the block below. These kinds of slides are possible causation of earthquakes. The gap between geological blocks formed because waves of the Mediterranean eroded the lower part of the upper block and the rock have collapsed. It is possible to see the continuation of this fault line on the other side of Cala del Moraig. 

    Cala Moraig in Marina Alta, Spain
    Los Acantilados hikign trail begins at the parking of Cala Moraig not the beach itself. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Cala Barraca – Cap Prim Hike

    A hike to an exceptionally beautiful narrow piece of nature pressed to the very edge of high cliffs by countless fancy mansions. Cap Prim (eng. Prim Cape) is a very tip of a larger peninsula of mainland Spain – the closest point to the Balearic islands. That explains both the reason why it attracts so many rich people and the awe-inspiring views of a landscape, which is more similar to a south Asian than a European one. The people are not the only inhabitants of Cap Prim. Many bird species find this narrow piece of land as their home, which is still dwarfed by the colonies living on the Island of Portixol that dominates the scenery throughout most of the time during this wonderful hike.

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    Key features

    • High cliffs
    • Islands
    • Pristine beaches
    • Fancy estates
    • Birdwatching
    Portixol island from Cap Prim in Marina Alta, Spain
    The view from Cap Prim looks like Las Vegas of nature. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hike Details

    • Location: El Portitxol
    • Starting location: Cala Barraca
    • Target location: Cap Prim
    • Distance: 3.67 km / 2.28 mi x2
    • Ascend: Flat (~80 m / 260 ft)
    • Type: Linear
    • Duration: ~1h45 x2
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Color: Green
    Portixol Island from Cala Barraca in Marina Alta, Spain
    Calla Barraca is located just around the corner of Cap Prim. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    The Cap Prim is a real paradise on the edge of the Betic Mountains, whose high cliffs dip into the Mediterranean. The close encounter of mountains and sea sculpted out this majestic landscape throughout the endless years and today – to put it bluntly – it is absolutely stunning. Cap Prim is a true hidden secret as there not much information on the Internet but once you are in the area, something naturally draws you there. As my experience has shown me, this is that kind of hike, which literally sucks you in. A real step-turner, if you pardon the pun. It doesn’t matter, where you’d start the route, you’ll end up in Cap Prim.

    Though accidentally I walked to Cap Prim from Cala Blanca (3.94 km / 2.45 mi), I intended and recommend doing so via the official route. You could either start at Cala Barraca (3.67 km / 2.28 mi) or Creu de Portixol (2.14 km / 1.33 mi). Though have in mind that the latter one has very limited parking options, and getting to Cala Barraca might be not an option for less experienced drivers. If you have time, hiking from Cala Blanca is still a very viable option.

    Caleta de Dins and Cap Prim in Marina Alta, Spain
    If the road leads toward the end of those cliffs, how can you stop? Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Torre de Vigia Walking Trail (El Portet Beach – Cap d’Or)

    The climb up to the watchtower of Cap d’Or (eng. d’Or Cape) is an hour-long hike, beginning at El Portet Beach in Moraira, which is an outstanding travel destination on its own. The first part of the hike leads through some fancy estates, facing the Mediterranean but soon the road leads into the protected areas of micro-reserve. From there on, the rich history of this small area unveils itself. Besides the expected watchtower, Cap d’Or houses an ancient Iberian settlement and a prehistoric cave. Thanks to a recent infrastructure investment all these places could be reached on foot. At the end of the day, the climb to the Watchtower of Cap d’Or is a magical experience. Let alone the views of the Mediterranean or El Portet beach, but the cape has a positive aura attached to it.

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    Key features

    • High cliffs
    • Neolithic Cave
    • Archeological site
    • Flora
    • Fauna
    Cap d'Or from Moraina in Marina Alta, Spain
    Torre de Vigia Walking Trail starts at the gorgeous El Portet beach. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hike details

    • Location: Teulada-Moraira
    • Starting Location: El Portet Beach
    • Target Location: Watchtower of Cap d’Or
    • Distance: 1.6 km / 1 mi x2
    • Ascend: 166 m / 545 ft
    • Type: Linear
    • Duration: 60 min x2
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Color: Green
    Cendra Cave walking trail in Moraira, Spain
    The trail down to Cendra Cave is the most recent gem, constructed in the area. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Cova de les Cendres

    La Cova de les Cendres (eng. Cendra Cave) is considered to be one of the most important archeological sites in the Iberian Peninsula. The cave was inhabited since the prehistoric times some 20,000 years ago to the Neolithic period 8,000 years ago (The final stage of the Stone Age, characterized by domesticated animals and crops).

    The trail down to the Cendra Cave a recent addition as a part of the renewal project of Torre de Vigia walking trail. Making it a good choice for either history fans or off-beaten path adventurers. The trail has a few but very steep steps. It leaves me wondering about the toughness of the prehistoric people – one thing is to descend to or ascend from the cave, but keeping cattle over there?

    Cendra Cave in Cap d'Or of Marina Alta, Spain
    Caves facing the Mediterranean with an evidence of the prehistoric people are found across the coastline of Marina Alta. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Cap d’Or

    The name of d’Or Cap translates into the Golden Cape, which is associated with the Sun Cult of the Iberian Culture. It is the same word from the infamous “matador”, or “atoreador” from bullfighting, which possibly derived from some ancient Iberian ritual of sacrificing a bull to the Golden Sun.

    At the foot of the 16th watchtower of Cap d’Or, lies the ruins of ancient Iberian town. It is not the first such archeological site in the Province of Alicante that gives this energized feeling. Like many ancient cultures, Iberians chose magic places for their settlements or sacred places, based on the movements of the Sun or constellations. Given the rich scenery visible from the top of Cap d’Or: Penon de Ifach, Sierra de Bernia, Sierra de Gelada, and even Puig Campana, I imagine the whole calendar could be laid-out on the horizon.

    El Portet beach in Moraira from Cap d'Or of Marina Alta, Spain
    From left to right: Penon de Ifach, Sierra Gelada, Sierra Bernia & Puig Campana. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hiking Granadella

    Luckily for us, the Granadella Forest Park area for some reason was left uninhabited, making it one of only two such areas by the coast of Marina Alta. (The other one is, of course, the natural park of El Montgo). Though this park is labeled as a forest, almost no trees are here today. The reason behind this is the terrible wildfires in 2016 that completely devastated vast areas between Javea and Granadella. Remember that most such wildfires are caused by people, so if you chose to hike during a dry season, be extra careful with fire.

    Key features

    • Wilderness
    • Flora
    • Fauna
    • Good beach
    Granadella beach hike in Marina Alta, Spain
    This area used to be a forest. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Today, despite being nothing exceptional compared to the famous Park in Marina Alta – El Montgo, being uninhabited alone makes the area around Granadella special. The reason is the possibility to find traces of the original flora and fauna here, which is very rare on the coastline in Marina Alta. To be honest, across the whole country. Among the interesting fauna that you might encounter are hedgehogs, dormice and beetles. You might be not lucky enough to spot these but I’m sure that across the hike you’ll encounter various species of plants and birds like larks, serins, and swallows.

    Tip: Note that this area lacks shade, so it is better to come early or in the evening.

    Hike Details

    • Location: Benitachell
    • Starting Location: Hípica Cañada del Sol
    • Target Location: Granadella Beach
    • Distance: ±3.5 km / 2.18 mi x2
    • Ascend: ±210 m / 700 ft
    • Type: Linear
    • Duration: 60 min x2
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Color: Colored
    Granadella beach in Marina Alta, Spain
    Granadella Beach could accessed by car and has two restaurants. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Granadella beach hike is going to unveil most of this unique green space has to offer. The hike will start from urbanización located by the foot of Mount Llorenca and will lead you through a plateau with some ravines. The road will slowly take you towards the cliffs with beautiful vistas of the Mediterranean and Granadella Beach itself. Though the descent to the sea level is relatively steep it is not dangerous at all like in some other hikes on the list. Unfortunately, the beach could be reached by car as well, so it won’t feel as remote as some other places. The upside of this is a couple of cozy restaurants and water sports gear rent. The hike should be perceived as a semi-circular trail in a green area by the sea anyway. Access to Granadella Beach on the midway is just a bonus. It is a perfect option if you are not sure if you want to spend a day in nature or by the beach.

    Granadella beach in Marina Alta, Spain 2
    Granadella Beach is located in a beautiful cove. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hiking in Montgo Nature Park

    Mount Montgo Massif homes the largest natural park in Marina Alta. Located between the two most populous towns in the region – Denia and Javea – Montgo Nature Park is a naturally popular location for hiking. It has the biggest variety of different difficult routes, and probably is the best destination for a decent outdoors challenge.

    Key features

    • High cliffs
    • Large green areas
    • Variety of hikes
    Mount Montgo Nature Park from Cova Talada in Marina Alta, Spain
    Mount Montgo massive faces the Mediterranean forming giant cliffs along the coast. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

     

    Denia – Cova Tallada Hike

    This is a very rewarding, semi-short but a bit difficult hike for inexperienced outdoors people. To most of us, it would be an easy walk in a park without a need for a map but due to the high traffic of visitors, the route becomes a bit more dangerous than it should, so you must be careful of other people’s actions. Otherwise, it is an enjoyable walk along the cliffs, facing the Mediterranean with a few steps and narrow passages with chains.

    Key features

    • Cova Tallada cave system
    • Mount Montgo high cliffs
    • Good snorkeling
    • Cliff diving
    • Kayaking alternative
    The entrance to Cova Tallada (Curved Cave) in Costa Blanca, Spain
    The entrance to Cova Talada is hidden down a small cliff, just above the Mediterranean. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hike details

    • Location: Montgo Natural Park
    • Starting Location: Denia
    • Target Location: La Cova Tallada
    • Distance: 1km / 0.62mi x2
    • Ascend: Flat (~80 m / 260 ft)
    • Type: Linear
    • Duration: 30-40min x2
    • Difficulty: Intermediate
    • Color: Yellow

    Despite all the obstacles, the hike to Cova Tallada is a wonderful destination to an inland rocky island paradise. Though the red route itself won’t take a lot of your time – be prepared to spend a better half of a day there. Cova Tallada is a beautiful cave system surrounded by pristine Mediterranean water, small islets, and giant cliffs. This spectacular landscape is a great place for a picnic, snorkeling, cliff diving, reading a book, or simply contemplating your thoughts. Just be sure to wear a good pair of hiking boots, take water shoes, and pick up all your trash.

    Montgo Natural Park on Costa Blanca in Spain
    Montgo Natural Park from Mirador las Rotas (viewpoint of broken). Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Have in mind that the described Cova Tallada hiking route starts from the Denia side of Mount Montgo Natural Park. Though it is possible to hike to the cave from the Javea side, this is the easiest way to do so. If you want more information on this particular route, you can read my detailed guide of hiking from Denia to Cova Tallada.

    Playa de Pope from Port Javea in Marina Alta, Spain
    The name of Playa de Pope comes after a Russian Orthodox priest, who used to come to bathe in this beach. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Sant Antoni Cape Hike

    This short hike from the port of Javea to Cap Sant Antoni (eng. Saint Anthony Cape) is just the first steps of the longer hiking trail all the way up to Mount Montgo – PR-CV 355 Port Xàbia-Montgo. Regardless of it, the hiking route stands out on its own as a worthy walk. The climb up to the lighthouse of Cap Sant Antoni is not that challenging but rewarding in different ways. To be more precise, the hiking route has spectacular views of the beaches of Javea, Mount Montgo, Portixol Island, and Cap Prim. Possibly the most impressive part of the hike is the local vegetation, which just seems to be greener than everywhere else. All things considered, the Cap Sant Antoni hike is an easily accessible and rewarding hiking destination.

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    Key features

    • High cliffs
    • Pristine beach
    • Lighthouse
    • Flora
    Port Javea - Cap Sant Antoni hike in Marina Alta, Spain
    It is not as demanding but a very rewarding hike. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hike details

    • Location: Montgo Natural Park
    • Starting Location: Javea port
    • Target Location: Cap Sant Antoni
    • Distance: 1.9 km / 1.18 mi x2
    • Ascend: 154 m / 505 ft
    • Type: Linear
    • Duration: 1h00 x2
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Color: Red
    View from Sant Antoni Cape in Mount Montgo nature Park, Spain
    Sant Antoni hiking trail starts from the back of yacht club of Javea. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    From my own experience of hiking in Marina Alta, I would consider Port Javea – Cap Sant Antoni hiking trail to be the least demanding one. The whole route is a gradual climb up the cliff without any major obstacles ensuring maximum pleasure. Even more so, this straight-up-forward hike doesn’t have any really dangerous passages, thus it is a viable option for more experienced families. I’ve seen many people walking their dogs on this hiking route and I can’t blame them. If I was living in Javea and had a dog – I would probably do the same. 

    Once you get on top of Cap Sant Antoni don’t forget to visit all viewpoints to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Javea Bay and beyond while doing so. I wouldn’t recommend going off the official route as things might get ugly rather quickly. Along with Sant Antoni lighthouse, you’ll find remains of the past eras. Though I haven’t found any information on this, I’m sure Cap Sant Antoni was inhabited by humans since the deep stone age. 

    Sant Antoni Cape in Mount Montgo Nature Park, Spain
    Mount Montgo dominates the scenery across the most of Marina Alta. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Jesus Pobre – Montgo Mountain Hiking Trail

    There is not much to say – getting on the top of Mount Montgo is the ultimate challenge in Marina Alta. The only question is how you want to do it. The route I chose is not the shortest, but still doable within a day, and the upside is that the climb from Jesus Pobre is not as steep as the alternative options. Neither route is recommended for less experienced hikers. Climbing mountains is very rewarding but the hike itself might be tough and not as interesting as the amazing alternatives in Marina Alta I mentioned before. Nevertheless, Mount Montgo will open breath-taking views to those who dare to challenge it.

    During the hike, be sure to appreciate the walls of an ancient Iberian town – La Penya de l’Àguila, which dates as far as to the 5th century BC.

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    Key features

    • Mountain peak
    • Iberian ruins
    • Challenge
    • Flora
    Flora in Montgo Natura Park, Spain
    The grass is greener everywhere across Mount Montgo Nature Park. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hike details

    • Location: Montgo Natural Park
    • Starting Location: Jesus Pobre
    • Target Location: Mount Montgo
    • Distance: 6.27 km / 3.9 mi x2
    • Ascend: 746 m / 2,447 ft
    • Type: Linear
    • Duration: 3h45 x2
    • Difficulty: Hard
    • Color: Green

    How to get to Marina Alta

    Since Marina Alta is the easternmost part of mainland Spain, the main roads tend to cut this beautiful “corner”. While most of the region could be easily accessed, getting to the coastline of Marina Alta is not as simple as anywhere else in the Province of Alicante. Given that, the quality of the local roads is very good compared to the other regions due to the richness of the area. 

    You can reach Marina Alta by either AP-7 Autopista Mediterraneo (eng the Mediterranean Motorway), or the lesser N-332, which will get you just a bit closer to the heartland of Marina Alta. Either way, you need to look for Benissa or Teulada (CV-740) – the main gateways to the rest of the region. Both can only be accessed from N-332, thus you’ll need to enter it from AP-7 first to get any further.

    Pro tip: From 2021, most of AP-7 in Marina Alta is free. 

    Cliffs of Los Acantilados hike in Benitachell, Spain
    Every time I get back to Marina Alta, it keeps surprising me. Photo by A.L. [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Personal Experience

    Without a doubt, Marina Alta is the most beautiful part of a really attractive Costa Blanca. The same case could be made not only for the Valencian Community but for the whole coastline of the Spanish mainland of the Mediterranean. Having that in mind, I must admit that it was not a love from first sight for me. Most of Costa Blanca is massively urbanized and almost exclusively for ex-pats and tourists. As a result, it is even hard to find that desired temperament of Spanish culture in the area. Of course, there is one upside to that – you’ll find communicating in English around these areas much easier than in most of Spain. 

    Having all that in mind, it took me a while to learn to see all the prettiness of the region through the crowds of tourists and ex-pat houses. What did I find? Exceptionally beautiful landscape, where mountains meet the sea. Marina Alta has everything a true nature lover desires. Traveling through Marina Alta’s inland and coastal areas made me wonder what the whole landscape looked like without all the urbanization, especially during the magic times of the Iberian Culture. These people chose Marina Alta and the surrounding landscape as their home for a reason and so do thousands of people today.

    The panorama from Cap Prim in Marina Alta, Spain
    All content and photos by Alis Monte. If you want to collaborate, contact me on info@wp.connectingcosta.com Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
  • Marina Alta Guide to 4 Best Inland Tourist Routes

    Marina Alta Guide to 4 Best Inland Tourist Routes

    About Marina Alta

    Having traveled all the Mediterranean coastline of mainland Spain (except for some parts of Catalonia), without a second of thought, I would rank Marina Alta as one of the top 3 regions in the country by the sea, only falling behind Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs in Costa Tropical, where some of the tallest mountains in Europe, Sierra Nevada meet the Mediterranean. As far as I’m concerned, many parts of inland Marina Alta, keep up to this high standard, making it a truly mesmerizing and exceptional part of Spain.

    One might wonder, what’s so special about Marina Alta? First of all, it is rather green. Especially given the rather dry and arid neighborhood this is clearly visible after entering the area. Second, as the name suggests (eng. High Port), the terrain of Marina Alta is very mountainous. As a matter of fact, it is one end of the Baetica Mountains system, which has famous Gibraltar on the other end of it. These mountains shape Marina Alta from the dramatic cliffs on the coastline to mesmerizing small towns entangled in-between the difficult landscape of inland of the region. To put it simply, every part of Marina Alta is worth anybody’s time exploring it. So, if you find yourself spending your vacation in one of the popular coastline towns in Marine Alta like Denia, Javea, or Calpe, a day trip to the inland of the region would be a great idea to diversify your holiday time in Costa Blanca. 

    La Foradada in Vall de la Gallinera, Marina Alta, Spain
    Marina Alta is defined by mountains and agriculture. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Map of Marina Alta Tourist Routes


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    Route 1: Pego – Adsubia-Forna – Vall Gallinera – Vall d’Alcala – Vall d’Ebo

    • Distance: 30 km / 18.64 mi

    This part of Marina Alta’s countryside is located in the Province of Alicante, entangled between tall mountains and peaceful valleys. The landmarks of the route are interconnected by their historical ties, which will help us to uncover the secrets of various sites from the past and their remote yet exceptionally beautiful locations and local crafts. This route includes some of my favorite parts of Marina Alta inland  – there are very few places, where history, mountains, and sea are combined in such a balanced harmony.

    Pego in Marina Alta, Spain
    Pego is the most populous town in the inland of Marina Alta. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Pego

    Pego is a great example of how the success of a town in Marina Alta depends on its symbiosis with the natural environment. For such a humble town, Pego has a lot to show – you can visit the Ecce-Homo Chapel, the saint of the municipality, the Parish Church of Asuncion with the beautiful Plaza of Townhall nearby, and the Franciscan Convent – these are only the religious sites of Pego. The cultural ones include the Museum of Contemporary Art, the culture center house, and the ethnological museum, which is dedicated to the growth of rice. The most famous landmark in the town is the natural park of Marjal de Pego-Oliva. It is one of the major biodiversity areas in the Mediterranean and the location of the cultivation of rice, that so many people in Pego rely on.

    Marjal de Pego-Oliva in Marina Alta, Spain
    Marjal de Pego-Oliva has one of the largest freshwater biodiversity in Spain. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Marjal de Pego-Oliva

    The marsh of Pego-Oliva was granted a natural park status in 1994. These are vast areas of wetlands situated between the edge of the Baetic Mountains, between the Provinces of Alicante and Valencia, and the town of Pego and Oliva, respectively. Its 12 ha are covered by reedbeds, ricefields, and lagoons, all of which are interconnected by various rivers and canals, which results in the area of great natural wealth and productivity. The excellent water quality is not only suitable for endangered species, like Whiskered Tern, the Valencian tooth carp, the marbled teal, and the European pond turtle but in fact, maintains the best-preserved underwater vegetation in all of Spain.


    Absudia in Marina Alta, Spain
    Absudia is situated between Pego and Vall de la Gallinera. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Atsubia-Forna

    Some say Absudia is among the most beautiful towns in the inland of Marina Alta, but it is Forna Castle that makes this area popular. The name of the town comes from Arabic word meaning “the hermitage”, it obviously shows its Moorish origins, though the oldest archeological evidence of settlement dates back to the Bronze Age, probably of Iberian origin. During the visit, be sure to dedicate some time to explore white Moorish narrow streets of Adsubia, it is the main highlight of the town itself. Some notable landmarks include Church of Saint Vincent Ferrer , a town hall and a public loundry building of Adsubia.

    Meanwhile Forna almost couldn’t be more different. Its rich Christian heritage is highlighted by the Templar castle of Forna. Both the town and the castle are in surprisingly good state. In Forna you can also visit Canalobres cave and do some hiking in the nearby mountainous setting. In short, the two towns prooves the very rich variety of both landscape and culture in a very narrow area of Marina Alta.

     


    Benialli in Vall de la Gallinera, Marina Alta, Spain
    Benialli is the biggest town in Vall de la Gallinera. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Vall de la Gallinera

    The valley is separated into eight different urban areas: Benirrama, Beniali, Benissiva, Benitaia, la Carroja, Alpatro, Llombai, and Benissili. Together they form sort of a township on the inner-outer edge of Marina Alta and inter-connecting on an ancient road between Denia and an old capital, Xativa. The Vall de la Gallinera offers truly spectacular panoramic views to its visitors. The idyllic scenery of rural harmony with remote houses in-between cherries, olives, almonds, carrobs and orange trees, and other woods and fields of whom the area is most famous for the first two. The Vall de la Gallinera is proud to be the first area in the whole of Europe to produce cherries every year. The deep agricultural traditions are carved into the surrounding tall stone walls of mountains, forming beautiful terraces and defining the romantic picture of the Vall de la Gallinera. For a brief moment, one could be forgiven for mistaking this exceptional scenery for one of Southeast Asia.

    Benitaia and cherries in Vall de la Gallinera, Marina Alta, Spain
    Vall de la Gallinera is most famous for its beautiful cherries fields. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots


    Vall d’Alcala

    A visit to the Vall d’Alcala will bring you backward in time. You’ll be surprised by the ingenuity of its past visitors. Vall d’Alcala is famous for its Moorish past. In the area, you’ll find two very well-preserved but old refrigerated areas, which served as refrigerators for the people of the past. Another popular tourist destination is L’Atzuvieta – probably the best conserved Moorish village in the Valencian Community. Despite these interesting historical relics, Al-Azraq is the most famous thing to come out of the Vall d’Alcala. The legendary Arab leader was born in the municipality of Alcala de la Jovada, which he loved and fought for against Jaime I. Al-Azraq died in the battle of Alcoy in April 1276, giving birth to one of the most famous festivities in this part of Spain – Moros and Cristianos (Moors and Christians). To this day, it is celebrated in most of the towns in Marina Alta.

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    Vall d’Ebo

    It is a location of exceptional natural beauty, defined by its picturesque sites like natural pools, potholes and the Barranc del Infern. Above all of them, undoubtedly, the most interesting landmark is Cova del Rull, where you can embrace the beauty of various stalagmite and stalactite formations. There is also Ethnological Museum situated in the area.

    Unfortunately, the natural beauty of Vall d’Ebo is still in recovery after the devastating wildfires of 2022. About 12,150 hectares of vegetation were destroyed in a perimeter of 100 km / 62 mi. The number of these wildfires is increasing every year due to increasing days of drought.

    Panorama of Vall de la Gallinera in Marina Alta, Spain
    Foradada mountains separate Vall de la Gallinera from Vall d’Ebo. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Route 2:  El Verger – Ondara – Beniarbeig – La Rectoria

    • Distance: 12 km / 7.45 mi

    The connection between these towns and the raison d’etre of this route is Sierra de Segaria – a beautiful mountain range covering 94 000 sq. m with its tallest peak reaching 504 m / 1 653.54 ft. It might sound not that much, but given that the mountain is located 6 km / 3.73 mi from the sea, Sierra de Segaria is one of the most notable landmarks on the coastline of Marina Alta. The mountain separates two beautiful valleys: the Valle de Gallinera and the valley of River Girona.

    The evidence and traces found of a major Iberian settlement in this area with the largest portion of the ruins belonging to the municipality of Benimeli. In fact, most of the archaeological remains were found on the hillside close to this town. I expect that the sea level was much closer to Sierra de Segaria 2 500 years ago when the Iberian culture flourished.


    El Verger

    Being another town on the list of Muslim origins, El Verger remained so even after the Christian conquest. Only after the expulsion of Moriscos, the town had to be repopulated by Christians from Denia, Pego, and Balearic islands. Until modern times, the economy of El Verger was always agriculture. Given its humble history, the town still has something to offer. The points of interest worth attention are the Tower of Duke Medinaceli’s Palace, the Parish Church from 1732, and the Moorish Cremadella Tower dating as far back as the XIII-XIV centuries. While it is situated right next to Sierra Segaria, the most interesting natural feature of El Verger is the all-year-flowing river Girona.

    Given the history of the town, it is probably not surprising that the biggest festivity in El Verger is Moros and Cristianos. Other include celebrations in honor of San Roque, San Isidro, and Virgen del Rosario. All are held in August.


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    Ondara

    Except for Sierra de Segaria, the entire territory of Ondara is practically flat. The foot of this mountain is where we find the earliest footprints of human inhabitants, the Iberians, but it was Muslims who left the biggest fingerprints in Ondara, most notably the irrigation system. After they were expelled in 1609, the area was settled by the Christian people from the Balearic Islands. In the XIX century, Ondara saw growth and restructuration to become a town with a wide variety of services that we know today.

    During your trip, be sure to visit the clock tower, locally known as “Torre del Reloj”. It is part of an old Moorish Castle, which had four such towers but only this one remained to see the modern times. The other points of interest are the XVII century Nunnery, the Parish Church from the XVI century, and the in-famous bullring, the only one in the region.

    The food traditions in Ondara are very typical for the region combined with the Mediterranean diet and a wide variety of tapas. In July, the town celebrates two important local festivals: one in honor of Virgen de la Soledad (Eng “Loneliness”) and the popular Saint Jaume. Another important festivity in town takes place in November, Ondara Trade Fair, which dates back to 1690.


    Beniarbeig

    A town of Moorish origins, its more archaic Arabic name was Beniherbey. Today, it is almost just history. After the expulsion of the Moors and later Moriscos, Beniarberg, like most of the settlements in the Valencian Community, fell into a population crisis. Unfortunately, it took much more time for the town to recover than the others. It was repopulated by the Christians only in the 1950s by the people from Andalucia and La Mancha, who were looking for an opportunity. Situated at the foothill of Sierra de Segaria, Beniarberg is surrounded by cultivated orange, almonds, and olive trees. Its urbanization is situated around the main street of Calle Mayor. The parish church of Beniarberg dates back to the XVII century but the most distinctive feature of the town is the all-year constant flow of water in the river Girona. It provides good conditions not only for human settlers but for various species of waterfowl.


    La Rectoria

    This area of Marina Alta is composed of 5 towns: Sanet y Negrals, Benimeli, El Rafol de Almunia, Sagra, and Tornos. All these peaceful villages share a few things in common: Arab farmsteads’ origins, landscape, and fertile lands. The name “La Rectoria” comes from a religious division that formed after the dismemberment of the rectory of Denia, putting many people of religious service in urgent need of housing. Today, the villages that too in those people form a community.

    Situated between two natural marvels of Marina Alta, Sierra de Segaria, and the ever-flowing River Girona, La Rectoria enjoys very fertile land and irrigation systems from the past, making this region perfect for agriculture. One will find many vegetables, and fruits with a specialization in citrus.

    Route 3: Gata – Pedreguer – Benidoleig – Orba – Vall de Laguar

    • Distance: 25 km / 15.53 mi

    Parish Church of San Miguel in Gata de Gorgos, Spain
    Parish Church of San Miguel in Gata de Gorgos. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Gata de Gorgos

    Widely associated with various trades and crafts, Gata de Gorgos is a perfect place if you are in need of furniture, decoration, basketry, or traditional food for a very good quality/price ratio. In fact,  it is one of the places, known in Spain as “a town of artisans”. These are no mere words, since immemorial times in Gata de Gorgos people have used palms for the craftmanship of baskets and hats. Later, it developed into other industries – at first to various furniture, and later to pottery, ceramics, and glass – creating a local crafts powerhouse.

    In the urban center of Gata de Gorgos be sure to visit the XVII century  Parish Church of San Miguel and wander through irregular shape streets in the suburb of the Islamic tradition cornered against the Gorgos River. The town houses two permanent sculpture parks as well.

    In terms of food, the traditional cocas are the biggest highlight in Gata de Gorgos accompanied by a great variety of rice, stews, and casseroles.


    Església de la Santa Creu in Pedreguer, Spain
    Església de la Santa Creu in Pedreguer. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Pedreguer

    With 7 600 inhabitants, Pedreguer is the most populous town on the list of this route. Big numbers are the most of what this town can be proud of but are not limited to. Pedreguer was first mentioned in 1249, a decade after Christians conquered the region of the territory of the current-day Valencian Community in 1238. Back then, the population of Pedreguer was mainly Islamic, therefore after the expulsion of the Moors in 1609, the town was left almost empty. It was repopulated by the people from the Balearic Islands and to this day the locals could notice particular peculiarities in their speech.

    Pedreguer has a wide variety of industries including leather goods, hats, metal manufacturing for a small scale and farming. The best place to buy their craft could be the second-hand market Rastro, which is held every Sunday in the industrial area of Les Galgues.

    Hikers should consider the 18 km / 11.18 mi stretch of PR-V53, a circular trail with different levels of difficulty.


    Benidoleig

    Benidoleig traces its origins to the times of the Moorish people. It was founded originally as one of the Arab farmhouses, installed in the valley of Girona. Benidoleig shares the fate of the region and the town experienced a downfall after the local Moriscos were expelled in 1609. Fortunately, it didn’t take long for the town to bounce back, Benidoleig was repopulated in 1611 by the people from Mallorca. Despite the population change, the design of the town didn’t change much. Its main economy remained agriculture, specializing in dry farming like raisins and citruses.

    While in Benidoleig, don’t forget to visit the manor of Finestrat’s Baron, the Parish Church of Sangre de Cristo, and the main attraction in the whole area – Cueva de las Calaveras – 300 m / 984 ft in length and 20 m / 65.61 ft in a height cave system with beautiful domes filled with stalactites and stalagmites.


    Orba in Marina Alta, Spain
    Orba is a small, yet functional town with everything at hand. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Orba

    Orba is another old old town, whose first settlers date back to prehistory and for a good reason. It is situated in a fertile valley protected by mountains – a perfect storm for ancient people. Even the name of the town comes from the Iberian word “Ur-Obia” meaning “where water flows from the bottom of the mountain”, (Having in mind that the Iberian language is yet to be fully translated, I found it very fascinating). Despite Orba’s ancient roots, it was the Moorish conquerors, who based on their agricultural needs, shaped the landscape of the valley into what we know today.

    For such a small town, there are quite a few things to do here. Be sure not to miss the parish church and the 16th-century manor house. Foodies shouldn’t miss the local sausages, bakery products, oranges, lemons, almonds, and oils. Orba is also great for souvenirs with its exquisite and authentic pottery and ceramics traditions dating from the Moorish times. The area is also great for hiking and cycling.

    Pottery shop in Orba in Marina Alta, Spain
    The Pottery traditions in Orba come from a very old times. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots


    La Vall de Laguar

    This part of Marina Alta consists of four settlements combining a single township, known as La Vall de Laguar. These villages are Benimaurell, Fleix, Campell and Fontilles. Situated deep in Marina Alta, the elevation of these settlements varies from 300 m / 984 ft to 437 m / 1435 ft above sea level. The remote geographical feature of La Vall de Leguar was a natural last stronghold of Valencian Moors after the expulsion in 1609.

    Like almost anywhere else in Marina Alta, this area is great for hiking. Places like Barranc de L’Infern, traversed by Girona river, La Sierra del Penyo, or routes trespassing wells and natural springs like the Font del Reinos, Font dels Olbis, Font del Penyo, together with the fountains situated in each settlement.

    Traditionally, agriculture was the main economy of the area, but today, it is domestic tourism that has become the main income for the locals. Some rainfed crops still remain, like olives, almonds, and cherry trees.

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    Route 4: Vall de Pop

    • Distance: 25 km / 15.53 mi

    The Vall de Pop is animated and fed by Gorgos River, also known as River Xalo, which flows from the mountains around Castell de Castells. The river runs through the towns of Benigembla, Murla, Parcent, and Alcalali, where the valley finally expands and we find Xalo, Lliber, Senija, and Benissa, next to the coastline. The Vall de Pop is an area of great variety: majestic mountains, winding ravines, picturesque grape fields, and coast with cozy coves and dramatic white cliffs.

    Map of Marina Alta on Mirador del Coll de Rates de Parcent in Marina Alta, Spain
    Map of Marina Alta on Mirador del Coll de Rates de Parcent. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    The Vall de Pop is perfect for active tourism and recreational activities. It has a wide network of hiking trails, which is, undoubtedly, the best way to get the most out of the valley. Sierras de Bernia y Ferrer, la Serella y Xarta, and Gorgos River are the best locations for appreciating the local flora and fauna. Other popular activities include cycling, climbing, paragliding, and kayaking among many others. The Vall de Pop is one of those places, which has something to offer to everybody.

    Cultural legacy in the valley goes as deep as it gets – straight to the dawn of humanity in Europe. Cave paintings in the sanctuary Del Pla de Petracos are a part of UNESCO World Heritage site of Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula. Also, one can enjoy the rich heritage of Moors like castles and narrow cozy streets that rise and fall below and above dry stone buildings found virtually in every town of the Vall de Pop.

    A bridge over Gorgos river in Xalo, Marina Alta, Spain
    A bridge over the Gorgos river in Xalo. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Castell de Castells

    Situated deep in the Vall de Pop, right where the raison d’etre of the whole valley, River Gorgos originates, Castell de Castells feels to be separated from the rest of the world. While it is not the only place in the inland part of Marina Alta that has this feeling, this little cozy town at a privileged location clearly stands out.

    The central piece of the town is the Parish Church of Saint Anna. Another important trace of the development of the human race as intelligent species is a set of cave paintings, known as Pla de Petracos and dating back about 8,000 years. Other popular tourist destinations around Castell de Castells, and good opportunities for hiking, are Moorish Castle Penya Castellet, Mount Malla de Llop (1,361 m / 4,365 ft), and Els Arcs, a naturally formed arcs, known as one of the biggest in the whole of Europe of its kind.

    Interesting festivals include the lively San Vicente Ferrer, a cultural week starting July 22nd, featuring poetic evenings and traditional dance for all ages. On July 26th, people of the town honor Santa Ana, Castell de Castells’ patron saint, with a magical candlelit procession. But probably the most interesting festivity happens in early September, the enchanting Pla de Petracos fiesta unfolds under twinkling trees, offering music, food, and dancing all night long. The weekend culminates with an open-air paella feast as families come together to celebrate.


    Parcent from Coll de Rates mirador in Marina Alta, Spain
    Parcent from Coll de Rates viewpoint. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Parcent

    Known as the gateway to mountains, Parcent might be the best town for hiking in the whole of Marina Alta. All thanks to its perfect location, where Vall de Pop opens up from a narrow valley between mountains to wide relative lowlands. Nevertheless, probably the most interesting feature of the town is hidden in its name. Unlike most of the towns in Marina Alta, Parcent seems to have Latin origins (Persius or Percennius). It also took an important role in the Moorish rebellions as a Christian stronghold.

    Interesting historical monuments include the 16th-century Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception. the house of Gabriel Miro, Cave Paintings of l’Abric del Seguili, the Moorish necropolis in Calle l’Era and a farmhouse from the same period. Popular hikes include Coll de Rates, Font de la Foia, Cim Carrascal, and Cova dels Coloms.


    Alcalali

    After the reconquest, King James I of Aragon donated Alcalali to Doña Berenguela Alonso de Molina in 1268, but the overseers of the town kept changing. It might have resulted in a rather humble town, but that’s why we love it today. The narrow white streets of Moorish design, The Church of the Nativity of Our Lady, the town hall, and the medieval tower of Alcalali, La Solana Castle – there are plenty of historical buildings to see in Acalali. Today, the town of Alcalali accounts only for one-fourth of the population of the township but the surrounding urbanizations and Llosa de Camacho inflates the numbers. The latter town had been absorbed by Alcalali in the 19th century. 

    Llosa de Camacho in Marina Alta, Spain
    Llosa de Camacho is situated in a valley between Alcalali and Pedreguer. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    During the spring, Alcalali is known as starting point of the hike through the majestic blooming almonds down the valley towards to Benissa. But that is not the only hike, accessed straight from the town. Situated by the foot of the mountain on the edge of the Vall de Pop, Acalali is perfect for the great outdoors.

    The main festivals of the town are held on the 24th and 25th of June in honor of Saint Juan Bautista de Mosquera and the Holy Christ of Health, respectively.


    Vineyards in Xalo of the Vall de Pop in Marina Alta, Spain
    The Vall de Pop is most for its vineyards. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Xalo

    The cradle of Muscat. It is no mere feat knowing that Muscat of Alexandria is considered to be the oldest genetically unchanged grape variety in the world. It was, probably, brought to Spain by Romans or even Carthaginians. Despite having many other cultures in a relatively big and fertile valley, wine very much defines not only the image of Xalo but of the whole Vall de Pop.

    Every day, in traditional shops one can find local products like almonds, raisin grapes, honey, oranges, and oil, but Xalo is probably known most for its bodegas with a wide range of local DO wines and traditional liquor made of grapes, known as mistela. Other popular ‘souvenir’ foods from Xalo include various dry sausages and exquisite sweets. The best day to come to town for shopping is undoubtedly Saturday when people from across Marina Alta and beyond gather in Xalo for traditional market day.

    Thanks to the fertile lands of Vall de Pop, one can enjoy a rich and diverse cuisine including some better-known various rice dishes, cocas, cous cous and local “espencat”, “minxos”, “la borreta de melva, “the putxero amb pilotes” and “mullador amb bull”.


    Benissa

    Last but not least, rather the opposite of that. Benissa is not only the most populous town in Marina Alta featured in this article but the fifth most populous in the region taking the coastal settlements as well. This accounts for about 11 thousand inhabitants, which is small but not by Marina Alta standards. Benissa is also one of the oldest towns in the region. Though, the name is of Moorish origins (Beni-Eyce, eng “Sons of Christ), the archeological finds suggest, at least, Roman trespassing in the area around the town.

    Benissa houses a large Gothic Church, better known as “Catedral de la Marina”. Hopefully, that doesn’t need a translation or any further explanation. The town is also home to the Franciscan seminary and its old convent from 1645. Other historical points of interest include the square of Old Church, La Lonja, the Town Hall, Riverside figure, and many others.

    Benissa enjoys its geographical location between the Mediterranean Sea and mountains. It is well reflected in its culture and kitchen. One of the signature dishes is Octopus stew, known as “Pulpo y mass”, while the town is also known for its sausages and cocas.

    The main festivities include the icon “Moors and Christians”, which in Benissa is held on the weekend closest to June 29. Other, “more Christian” celebrations include the patron saint festivity dedicated to  Immaculate  Xiqueta on the last Sunday of April, and a fair in honor of Saint Anthony in January among others.

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    Vall de Pop in Marina Alta, Spain
    All content and photos by Alis Monte, unless stated differently. If you want to collaborate, contact me on info@wp.connectingcosta.com Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

  • Guide to Cabo de Gata-Nijar Nature Park Best Beaches & Landmarks

    Guide to Cabo de Gata-Nijar Nature Park Best Beaches & Landmarks

    About Cabo de Gata

    There are many majestic, yet unspoiled, corners of the world. Relatively few of them could be found in Europe and even fewer by the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Often, the coastlines are pushed to their capacities by the vast demand and over-tourism. As a result, the beautiful areas by the Mediterranean Sea often remind of an old whore after a high season. Sadly, there are very few places remaining unaffected by the overuse of the land.

    The coastline of the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Nijar is one of those places, where one could still imagine how the Iberian Peninsula might have looked like centuries ago. This Nature Reserve has managed not only to avoid the overpopulation of the Spanish coastline but to preserve its pristine and natural beauty.

    From the viewpoint La Amatista in Cabo de Gata, Spain
    From the viewpoint La Amatista in Cabo de Gata. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Cabo de Gata is a protected natural area in the southeast of the province of Almería in Andalusia, Spain. The area includes about 100 km / 62 mi of coastline, making it one of the largest marine reserves in the Mediterranean Sea. The coastal area includes cliffs, coves, stacks, and arches. There are also three volcanic islands, Isleta del Moro, Isla de San Pedro and Isla Mágica.

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    UNESCO Protected Area

    The area was declared a natural park on January 24, 1987, the first in the province of Almería. In 1997, the European Commission included Cabo de Gata among the Natura 2000 network. Most of the area is included in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park and is a Biosphere Reserve. In 2015, together with the Tabernas Desert and the Sierra de Gata mountain range, Cabo de Gata was listed in the Global Geoparks Network of UNESCO.

    The Geopark is known for its wide variety of geological features, including karst landscapes, fossil-rich marine deposits, and lava flows. There are also a number of archaeological sites, including the Cave of the Treasures, which contains cave art from the Neolithic period. The Cabo de Gata UNESCO Global Geopark is also home to a number of protected species, including the Iberian lynx, the Spanish imperial eagle, and the European mouflon.

    A typical landscape in Cabo de Gata, Spain
    A typical landscape in Cabo de Gata. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Cabo de Gata is one of the driest and warmest areas in Spain. The average rainfall is only 200 mm per year and temperatures often exceed 30 °C in summer. The lack of rainfall and the aridity of the soil is due to the rain shadow effect caused by the nearby Sierra Nevada.

    Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park Details

    • Location: Spain
    • Region: Andalucia
    • Main hub: San Jose
    • Distance from Almeria: 37.2km / 23.11mi
    • Distance from Granada: 185.9km / 115.5mi
    • Distance from Murcia: 218.2km / 135.58mi
    • Area: 460 km² / 177 mi²
    • Lat/Lon: 36.7218° N, 2.1910° W
    • Highest point: El Fraile (493 m / 1 617.45x ft)
    • Weather: Cabo de Gata forecast
    • Emergency number: 061 and 112
    • Guided Tours & Transfer: From Almeria, from Carboneras, from San Jose

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    Map of Cabo de Gata

    The view from Punta de Loma Pelada in La Isleta del Moro,Cabo de Gata, Spain
    The view from Punta de Loma Pelada in La Isleta del Moro. hoto by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Things to do in Cabo de Gata

    Cabo de Gata is a popular destination for kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing. There are many dive sites around the islands and along the coast. The best time for diving is from May to October when the water is warmest.

    Cabo de Gata is also popular with birdwatchers. The islands and coastal areas are home to a variety of bird species including Audouin’s gull, flamingos, and ospreys.

    The area is also known for being a great place to go hiking. There are many trails that lead through the beautiful mountains and the exceptional coastline. Probably the best hikes are Loma Pelada, Sendero La Molata, Caldera de Majada Redonda and the one to Cala de San Pedro.

    A school of fish in playa de los Muertos in Cabo de Gata, Spain
    The waters around Cabo de Gata are exceptionally clear even by the Mediterranean standards. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    How to get to Cabo de Gata from Almeria

    There is a reason for the unspoiled beauty of the shores in Cabo de Gata, the area is situated at the very corner of the Iberian Peninsula. It almost feels like the volcanoes formed this exceptional landscape after everyone has already settled in on one or another part of Spain and nobody really bothered about Cabo de Gata. This comes with a price – it is not that easy to reach the natural park nowadays. Luckily, there is one exception, the easiest way to get to Cabo de Gata is from Almeria.

    By Car

    The most convenient way to reach Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park is by car if you have one. You’ll have to take a detour from the A-7 motorway, connecting Almeria to Murcia cities, on either road AL-3106 or AL-3112. It is also possible to reach the area by AL-3115 from N-344, or AL-5106 from N-341, or use the latter to reach Carboneras and continue your journey by the coast from there. Generally, there are many small roads leading to Cabo de Gata depending on your final destination.


    By Public Transport

    The only major city connecting Cabo de Gata to the rest of the world is Almeria. There are few buses depending on your needs:

    • M-202 – Almería – Retamar – Cabo de Gata – La Fabriquilla
    • M-212 – Almería – San José – La Isleta del Moro
    • M-213 – Almería – Hospital El Toyo – Venta del Pobre – Carboneras – Agua Amarga

    By Guided Bus Tour

    Getting to Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park might be a real pain in the butt. A dedicated private transport might save you a lot of hassle and it is not necessarily expensive. Especially, if you count in the guide services and insurances. A day trip from Almeria to Cabo de Gata Natural Park costs just from €48 and that also includes hotel pickup. If you want to save your time and simply enjoy the transcendent beauty of Cabo de Gata, this might be the best option for you.

    Mirador del Morrón de los Genoveses in Cabo de Gata, Spain
    From the viewpoint del Morrón de los Genoveses. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Best Beaches in Cabo de Gata

    The coastline of Cabo de Gata is very rugged and there are many small coves and beaches. In this article you’ll find the most popular beaches in Cabo de Gata, but, of course, there are even more pristine paradise beaches in remote coves across the Natural Park like Cala Puente, Cala Sorbas, Cala Castillo and Cala de Enmedio.  Naturally, it is much more difficult to reach them. You’ll either have to make an intermediate to hard hike or simply book a water taxi.

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    Playa de los Genoveses

    Thanks to the 1 180 m / 3 871 ft length of the beach, Playa de Genoveses doesn’t feel that crowded despite being one of, if not, the most popular beaches in the Natural Park along with Playa de Monsul and Playa de los Muertos. Among them, Playa de Genoveses is undoubtedly the best beach for families on the coastline of Natural Park Cabo de Gata-Nijar. The beach is situated just 3 km / 1.64 mi from San Jose and its dedicated car parking lot is relatively close to the sea, therefore the access to Playa de Genoveses is gentle for all family members. 

    The Fossilized Dune in Playa de Genoveses, Cabo de Gata, Spain
    The Fossilized Dune in Playa de Genoveses is a petrified tongue of lava. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Despite being situated between beautiful and colorful hills, dunes, and cliffs, the most famous geological feature of the beach is, undoubtedly, the fossilized dune. It is located approximately in the middle of Playa de Genoveses and reminds of a giant lava tongue, turned into stone upon reaching the sea, and it actually is. The fact that the fossilized dune is still visible today indicates that the beach is between 180 000 and 250 000 years old – old enough for the Neathertals to see it. The relatively dark sand of the beach also indicates the volcanic origins of Playa de Genoveses.

    The origins of the name of the beach are from the Genoes Navy landing on this beach in 1147 to assist the Christians in reconquering the region of Almeria.

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    Cabo de Gata from Mirador del Moron, Spain
    Mirador del Morrón de los Genoveses. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Playa de Monsul

    Though Playa de Monsul is a relatively small beach, but of great beauty. The beach is a must-visit for any cinema fan. Playa de Monsul is located in a protected area, even further down the unpaved road from San Jose than Playa de los Genoveses, therefore its access is restricted. The beach is about 300 m / 1000 ft long and 20-30m / 65-100 ft wide and is backed by imposing cliffs. Playa de Monsul is quiet and ideal for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. It offers a rich underwater fauna that includes large examples of the species of fish called barbudo (grouper), and moray eels. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most beautiful beaches in Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park.

    The Petrified Wave and Monsul Dune in Cabo de Gata, Spain
    Monsul Dune and the Petrified Wave. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    The most famous geological features of Playa de Monsul are the Petrified Wave in the middle of the beach and the Monsul Dune. Together they form a mini Holywood park of geological structures. As a matter of fact, Playa de Monsul is also known for being the filming location of many movies, including Lawrence of Arabia, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and the Spanish movie La mujer de mi hermano (My Brother’s Wife), by Juan Antonio Bayona.

    Cliffs and mountains by Playa de Monsul in Cabo de Gata, Spain
    Black cliffs of a volcanic origin. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

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    Playa de Rodalquilar

    Playa de Rodalquilar is approximately 1,200 m / 3,937 ft long and 50 m / 164ft wide natural beach with golden sand and crystal clear water. Unsurprisingly, it is a Blue Flag beach. Playa de Rodalquilar is a very well-equipped beach including showers, toilets, and a lifeguard service in the summer. There is a possibility to access Playa de Rodalquilar by car and park it right next to the sea but have in mind that the road leading there is not for everyone. In case you feel like there is not enough time to enjoy this exceptional beach, you can stay in the nearby hotel for another day. It is situated in very close proximity to the beach in the 18th century Castillo de San Ramón.

    Playa de Rodalquilar in Cabo de Gata, Spain
    Sofía Cos, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

    Beaches of La Isleta del Moro

    La Isleta del Moro is a small fisher village settled on a tiny cape facing an island. It is a hidden corner rich in natural beauty and known as an excellent place to discover the underwater world of the Mediterranean. The cliffs of La Isleta del Moro has an average height of 20 m / 65 ft. They are a unique natural place full of sea caves and gullies that make the shores of cliffs excellent for diving. The steep decline into the depths of the sea makes it a perfect spot to encounter a great variety of fish and other marine life. Thanks to the shape of a small peninsula, La Isleta del Moro has at least one side without wind and waves all the time, pushing its label of a perfect snorkeling place even more.

    The list of beaches in La Isleta del Moro includes Cala Higuera, Playa del Peñón Blanco and Playa del Muelle de La Isleta.

    Cala Higuera - La Isleta in Cabo de Gata, Spain
    Cala Higuera is the most popular beach for snorkeling in La Isleta del Moro. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Despite all the qualities for snorkeling and diving, these are not the only activities worth mentioning in La Isleta del Moro. Bird-watchers should keep an eye for various sea birds in the area but gastronomy is probably the second-most prominent feature of La Isleta del Moro. The people who live in here have basically two sources of income: fishing and tourism. Both combine perfectly into a decent amount of good restaurants offering the day’s catch on the plate. The location of the village makes La Isleta del Moro a perfect place for a romantic dinner during sunset.

    Sunset in La Isleta del Moro, Cabo de Gata, Spain
    La Isleta del Moro from Punta de Loma Palada. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Playa Los Escullos / Playa del Arco

    Playa Los Escullos is a secluded beach situated between two volcanic rocks in the middle of a protected area. The beach is a sheltered cove that is ideal for shorter visits to the sea. The landscape around the beach is rocky and there are a few restaurants and bars close by.

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    Arc in Playa del Escullos, Cabo de Gata, Spain
    Enjoying the arc in Playa del Escullos responsibly. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Compared to the best beaches in the area, it wouldn’t be anything special if it was not for the fossil dune with its arc formations. Despite being a true wonder on its own, the fossil dune offers great panoramic views of Los Frailes – the ancient volcanoes. Nevertheless, for the most, it is the arc that steals the show in this area. This unique formation eventually is going to be destroyed by one of the plenty of idiots who take pictures hanging or standing on it. Sooner or later, the arc will not hold and will collapse, likely taking the life of the last perpetrator. Don’t be that person.

    Crystal clear waters of Cabo de Gata, Spain
    Crystal clear waters of Cabo de Gata. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Playa de los Muertos

    Playa de los Muertos is, probably, the most famous and iconic beach in the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Nijar. The name of the beach translates to “the Beach of the Dead” in English. You might wonder why such a dreadful name for such a beautiful beach? Its origins of it are unclear, but it is believed to be named after numerous dead bodies from shipwrecks that occurred near the beach many years ago with a relative frequency. All thanks to the sea currents, converging in the area surrounding Playa de los Muertos.

    Playa de los Muertos from vista in Cabo de Gata, Spain
    The view from Mirador de la Playa de los Muertos. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    It is a beautiful sandy-small pebble beach with crystal clear waters – perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Despite its close location to the coal plant of Almeria, Playa de los Muertos is situated in a natural park and is therefore unspoiled and very quiet. Playa de los Muertos was named the most beautiful beach in Spain for numerous times.

    The pillar of Playa de los Muertos in Cabo de Gata, Spain
    The pillar of Playa de los Muertos. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Possibly the most famous feature of Playa de los Muertos is the pillar rock formation, which has been carved from the cliffs by years of wave erosion. Nevertheless, it is not the only geological reason for the unquestionable popularity of the beach among the people and magazines in Spain. Various rocks and cliffs from different geological eras could be observed from the beach. The ancient sedimentary deposits filled with various fossils is a common feature found across Playa de los Muertos. On top of it lies the volcanic layer and relatively recent deposits from the Miocene Epoch.

    Down south from Playa de los Muertos lies secret hidden coves, which could only be accessed by a water taxi. They could be booked in advance with a free cancelation up to čė hours before the tour date.

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    Walking to Playa de los Muertos in Cabo de Gata, Spain
    Reaching Playa de los Muertos will take some time and some of your strength. Photo by A.L. [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Personal Experience

    Having traveled most of the Spanish coastline, the area of Cabo de Gata-Nijar Nature Park ignites very positive emotions in me. There are very few corners by the Mediterranean Sea in the country with such a low level of urbanization. Cabo de Gata animates my imagination wondering what Costa Blanca or Costa del Sol might have looked like before being swarmed by tourist villas and skyscrapers. Despite all its qualities and interests, the lack of urban development is what amazes me the most about Cabo de Gata.

    Ignoring that, Cabo de Gata has many great qualities that would make this unique volcanic area worth visiting even if there wasn’t a single house in Spain. It is the only corner in the Iberian Peninsula of volcanic origins. This could be observed across the coastline even by an untrained eye. Not only that it makes Cabo de Gata exceptionally beautiful and colorful, but creates unique conditions for unique flora and fauna above and underwater.

    I recommend Cabo de Gata-Nijar Nature Park for a day trip or more to anybody who can find any reason to leave the urbanized areas or cities. Mother Nature is still flourishing in Cabo de Gata.

    Mirador del Morrón de los Genoveses, Cabo de Gata, Spain
    Hiking to Mirador del Morrón de los Genoveses. Photo by A.L. [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    What Can I Do to Protect the Pristine Cabo de Gata?

    • Take care of your own trash, or even better pick up the trash in general. Avoid using the trash cans located in the area of the park, instead, throw them away in one of the settlements located within Cabo de Gata, or near your accommodation. Trash is often dispersed by the winds or animals and in natural areas that can cause immediate damage.
    • Follow all boating regulations – never anchor your boat on the top of lively local ecosystems such as Poseidonia meadows.
    • Respect local flora & fauna – don’t touch any underwater organisms, or pick up local plants.

    Playa de Mosul in Cabo de Gata, Spain
    All content and photos by Alis Monte, unless stated differently. If you want to collaborate, contact me on info@wp.connectingcosta.com Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

  • Best Day Trips & Activities from Benidorm

    Best Day Trips & Activities from Benidorm

    About Benidorm

    For the longest time, the sun and the sea were all that was required for tourists to pour in from all over Europe and beyond. But as the times shift, so do the needs of people, and with these changes, Benidorm has adapted to meet the needs of its visitors. Today, many interesting destinations within a day-trip distance from the city attract hundreds if not thousands of tourists daily. Looking for engaging activities for its visitors, Benidorm has pushed the nearby places to hit above their weight. Not to say that they are not worth the attention, but some destinations have become so popular that they have started to attract local people from other regions of Spain whereas I can bet there is plenty to see on the same level at least as well.

    In short, with time, Benidorm has made a fortune not only for itself but for Marina Baixa in general. In this article, you’ll find the five places you should visit from Benidorm before you start looking somewhere else. If you are more of a nature-lover, I would suggest reading my guide to the best hikes near Benidorm.

    Benidorm from Alt del Governador, Spain
    Marina Baixa is one of the most beautiful comarcas in the Valencian Community and around. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Map of Places & Hikes Around Benidorm

    Altea

    Known as the Pearl of Costa Blanca, Altea might be sometimes somewhat overshadowed by Benidorm in the realms of popular tourism but this beautiful town was a name on the map for a longer duration than Benidorm. There is a reason why it has even its own model of SEAT – Spanish automobile manufacturer – Altea is a historical powerhouse in the area and it is well reflected by its cozy white-washed architecture. While it might not be that special in the context of Andalucia, here in the Valencian Community, the white village, Altea shines from afar. That alone is more than enough to attract piles of tourists from Benidorm, Alicante, and much further. Altea is one of those places in the region that doesn’t need an extra advertisement push to make a living. It is a well-worth day trip from Benidorm and around.

    Altea by the Mediterranean Sea, Spain
    Down south in Andalucia, Alta wouldn’t surprise that many people, but here in the Valencian Community, the white village is a true gem. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    The name of the town probably comes from the Greek word ‘I heal’. The Greeks had quite a few settlements around the coast of the Mediterranean and Altea was one of them. During the Moorish reign, the town was a part of the Kaifa of Denia. After the Christian Reconquista Altea was quickly fortified with the surrounding walls, which mark the boundaries of the old town to this day. In the last century, the economic and social life has moved to the seaside, where it remains today. That leaves the historical center of Altea open for exploration. Undoubtedly, you’ll fall in love with this town while exploring its endless medieval streets decorated with colourful flowers, Iberian tiles and endless white walls, which this town is famous for.

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    El Castell de Guadalest

    The crown jewel of the area – Guadalest is probably the most sought one day trip in Marina Baixa. It is the only town in Alicante Province listed among the 100 most beautiful villages in Spain and that is not the only decorated title of this magical village. In 2016 Guadalest has joined the Federation of the most beautiful villages in the world. Hopefully, at this time you are already wondering what is so special about Guadalest?

    Guadalest castle on a tall rock, Spain
    Guadalest is built on a plateau between huge rocks. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    This charmful town is located up in the Baetic mountains range, not too far from the legendary Puig Campana, by the river Guadalest, which is now transformed into a giant beautiful water reservoir, which looks like a large mountain lake – the Italian equivalent would be Lake Como and Lake Garda. The town of Guadalest offers not only spectacular vistas over the reservoir but the surrounding mountains and the Mediterranean Sea! Of course, its natural beauty is not the main reason of Guadalest’s acknowledgement, without its unique placement it could be any other town in the area.

    The old town of this beautiful town is located on a small plateau on top of a rock. This limited area proved to be enough for a castle, a church, a palace, a town square, and one one-street village. Today, we can see that throughout the ages Guadalest has managed to expand beyond the rock, the city is interconnected through a gate carved out in the rock itself. Everything combined, Guadalest is a true unicorn not only near Benidorm but in the Valencian Community overall. It is an obvious must-visit from Benidorm.

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    Alternatively, you can combine your trip to Guadalest with Algar Waterfalls. That’s two birds with one stone!

    The towers of Guadalest, Spain
    Surprisingly, the Mediterranean Sea is visible from Guadalest. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

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    Algar Waterfalls

    Freshwater is one thing that seems to be lacking in sunny Spain, especially in dry areas like the Province of Alicante. For that reason alone, waterfalls in general gain extra interest compared to the countries up north. Without a doubt, the Algar Waterfalls are the most popular waterfalls in the area around Benidorm. As a matter of fact, it was the Benidorm ITVs series that turned this natural wonder into a popular tourist destination after an appearance in one of the episodes. Today, together with Guadalest, the Algar Waterfalls are the most popular one day trip destinations from Benidorm.

    Cascada_principal,_les_fonts_de_l'Algar
    Joanbanjo, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

    On your trip to this in-land paradise, you’ll get a chance to explore the beautiful area around this natural phenomenon on your own. There will be plenty of time to see the most picturesque vistas, and test yourself in the cold waters of many ponds surrounding the waterfalls, and you don’t even have to worry about bringing drinks and food as there are plenty of restaurants and bars on site. Everything combined, the Algar Waterfalls is a perfect one-day getaway destination to nature with all the infrastructure you might need.

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    There is also the possibility to combine your day trip to Algar Waterfalls with Guadalest. Everything in one day!


    Levander on Cap d'Or with Penon de Ifach in the background
    The landscape of Marina Alta is exceptionally beautiful. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Marina Alta (Benissa & Moraira)

    Personally, I think, Marina Alta is the most beautiful region in the Province of Alicante. Located on the border with the Province of Valencia, Marina Alta is like a mountain wall with its cliffs facing the Mediterranean sea. As a matter of a fact, this is where the Baetic Mountains end, stretching across the Spanish coastline up to Gibraltar itself. The terrain of Marina Alta is so mountainous that the area has a different climate, with often milder temperatures and more rainfall. This results in a much richer flora compared to the agricultural or desertifying areas of the other areas surrounding Benidorm.

    Playa portet in Moraira, Spain
    Moraira hides some of the most beautiful beaches in the mainland Spain. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Benissa and Teulada-Moraira is probably the best-kept secret of Marina Alta, it is often over-shadowed by the very popular Denia and exclusive Javea. Despite all the advantages of the regional powerhouses, Benissa and Teulada-Moraira can stand on their own with their strengths and wonders. Whether it is the white cliffs facing the Mediterranean, the ancient Iberian settlements, even more, ancient human-cradle caves or probably the most beautiful beaches Spain has to offer, Benissa and Teulada-Moraira is always full of surprises. This area of Marina Alta is a great way to run away from the ever-busy Benidorm to the island-like remote nature for a day.

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    Valencia City

    Sure Benidorm has a big city feeling but it is nothing compared to a juggernaut like Valencia. The influence of this regional Capital extends far beyond the community, Valencia is the third biggest city in Spain and is classed in a different weight category than the nearby Alicante. While it is possible to reach the latter city from Benidorm by train, Valencia is not that well connected. Luckily, there are plenty of coaches offering their services to comfortably transfer you to and from Valencia.

    On your day trip to Valencia, you’ll get a chance to learn more about this regional Capital from an English-speaking driver to make the most of your journey. Valencia is a very big city and there are plenty of things to do, so be sure to plan your visit we’ll. Among the top things to do in Valencia are its old town with the beautiful cathedrals, churches, and the Roman and Arabic city walls. Maestalla stadium is a must-visit for soccer fans, while foodies will love their visit to the central market. It is a sin to visit Valencia without trying out the local favourite food – paella, just don’t forget to bring friends because it is often sold only for 2 people and more. There is probably no better place to enjoy your paella than the beautiful promenade by the sea in El Cabanyal.

    Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias in Valencia
    The buildings of Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias could be mistaken for alien ships that landed on Earth. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Finally, don’t forget to visit the City of Arts and Science – a true contemporary architectural masterpiece. This area has quickly become the symbol of Valencia and includes the biggest aquarium in Europe. I will not even go into the rich history of Valencia, which is one of the oldest cities in the country, there is simply too much to do within one day in this beautiful Spanish city but it is well worth a shot.

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    Panorama view of embalse de Guadalest, Spain
    All content and photos by Alis Monte. If you want to collaborate, contact me on info@wp.connectingcosta.com Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

  • El Torcal de Antequera Hiking Routes & Map

    El Torcal de Antequera Hiking Routes & Map

    About El Torcal de Antequera

    El Torcal is a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site within the Betic Mountains, known for its unusual finger-like pillar stone formations and other distinctive geological features. It is widely regarded as one of the most unique karst landscapes in the whole of Europe. Located right next to Antequera, just 48.1 km / 29.89 mi from Malaga, El Torcal is often left out off the tourists’ radars. While it is probably better for the preservation of the area, it doesn’t do justice to the beauty of this awe-inspiring mountain range. After all, there has to be a reason why it was added to the natural UNESCO World Heritage Site list. For sure, it has something to show off for it, especially, for nature enthusiasts like me. 

    Situated in-between the countless pieces of Betic Mountains, El Torcal could be easily mistaken for being just another fish in a pond. Having that in mind, a keen eye will notice a difference of range’s formations, whose rounded-shaped rocks give out that something unusual had happened here. Ultimately, the finger-like pillars need certain conditions to form.

    Stone pillars of El Torcal de Antequera in Andalusia, Spain
    Rock formations of El Torcal are reminiscent of the Great Pillars of the Gondor Kings. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Formation of Sierra del Torcal

    Betic Mountains stretch throughout the southeastern part of Spain along the Mediterranean coast. Its location is no coincidence. The genesis of these mountains rose large parts of the Iberian Peninsula from the depths of the ocean millions of years ago. This gradual action shaped the iconic peninsula to its current form we all know and appreciate today. Geologists can tell that the rocks across the area, started to form at the bottom of the ocean about 200 million years ago during the Jurassic era. 

    El Torcal is a great example of this geological process, the whole mountain range is like a ‘living fossil’ and speaks for itself of what had happened here throughout all that time. The incarnation of these mountains is a very interesting and unique case in the peninsula. For this reason, in 1929 El Torcal de Antequera became the first object to be recognized as “Andalusian Protected Natural Area”. In the coming years, the mountain range was declared and added to many other conservation lists, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, I mentioned before.

    La Peña de los Enamorados from El Torcal de Antequera, Spain
    El Torcal, together with La Peña de los Enamorados (human head shaped mountain) and three neolithic megalithic monuments form Antequera Dolmens UNESCO Site. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    El Torcal Details

    • Location: Spain
    • Region: Andalucia
    • Main hub: Antequera
    • Distance from Malaga: 48.1km / 29.89mi
    • Distance from Granada: 112.4km / 69.8mi
    • Distance from Seville: 172.6km / 107.25mi
    • Area: 17 km² / 6.56 mi²
    • Lat/Lon: 36°57’49″N 4°32’44”W
    • Highest point: Camorro de las Siete Mesas (1,336 m / 4,383 ft)
    • Weather: El Torcal forecast
    • Emergency number: 062 and 112
    • Guided Tours & Transfer: From Antequera, from Malaga

    Map of El Torcal

    Rocks in El Torcal de Antequera in Andalucia, Spain
    The views from El Torcal are just as breathtaking as the rocks itself. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    How to get to El Torcal de Antequera? 

    Despite being located right next to a regional center – Antequera, due to its nature, El Torcal offers a very limited variety of access. 

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    By public transport

    There is no public transport running to El Torcal.


    By car

    Car is the only way to get up to El Torcal visitors center. You can reach it from 42nd km of road A-7075, between Antequera and Villanueva de la conception.

    Parking at Centro de Visitantes Torcal Alto on the mountain range is limited and the road leading to it is closed after the slots are filled. Alternative parking is next to A-7075 Road. There will be a bus running between parking lots after the upper one is closed, which costs 2.00Eur for a round trip. Alternatively, you can climb up to El Torcal Alto visitors center on a 3.6 km / 2.24 ft long orange-marked hiking route, with 263 m / 863 ft vertical ascension. It is considered intermediate difficulty. 

    Road to El Torcal Alto station in Andalucia, Spain
    The road to El Torcal Alto Visitors Center is fairly good. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    By taxi

    If you don’t have a rented car, you can take a taxi from Antequera


    El Torcal Guided Tours

    Another option is to take a tour from Antequera. There are quite a few options, but personally, I prefer taking tours via third parties, like GetYourGuide, so I get better guarantees for quality service and proper cancelation policies. Enjoy one of the most famous natural landscapes in Andalucia.

    * All of these tours are curated by GetYourGuide, therefore you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund.

    Flowers in El Torcal de Antequera
    Many plants and animals find El Torcal as their home. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    El Torcal Hiking Trails

    Visiting El Torcal de Antequera is free of charge and you don’t need a special permit on any of the three marked routes. Entering other hiking trails is your own risk and responsibility. If you want to explore beyond the official trails, I recommend getting one of the guided tours in the mountain range. Note that these don’t include a transfer from Antequera as GetYourGuide El Torcal Tours.

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    Green route

    Most of El Torcal’s visitors are probably going to choose this hiking route, and most of them going to regret not taking the yellow one. On the map, the green route basically looks like a mini version of it. Nevertheless, this short trail is not shy of El Torcal’s beauty. The 45 min walk is relatively easy compared to what the yellow route has to offer, and for sure it is more than enough to get the feeling of what this exceptional mountain range is all about. The unique rock-pillar formations will please throughout the route, the hike includes famous figures like “Sphinx”, “the Indian” and “the Cathedral”.

    Trail details

    • Distance: 1,50 km / 0.93 mi
    • Type: Circular
    • Ascend: +40 m / 131 ft
    • Duration: 45 minutes
    • Difficulty: Easy

    Green hiking route in El Torcal de Antequera, Spain
    These narrow passages between the rocks have opened-up following a karst collapse. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Yellow route 

    More of the “same” El Torcal natural beauty, which is hard to get enough of. The yellow route goes deeper into El Torcal Alto mountains throughout narrower shady paths. The non-green part of the hike is dominated by vegetation and it is not that hard to get lost if you walk off the marked trail. In addition to the rock formations mention before, the yellow route includes “the Finger (not that one)”,  “Camel”, “Jug”  and “Bottle”.

    Trail details

    • Distance: 3 km / 1.86 mi
    • Type: Circular
    • Ascend: +53 m / 174 ft
    • Duration: 2 hours
    • Difficulty: Easy

    The view from Mirador de las Ventanillas, El Torcal de Antequera, Spain.
    The view from Mirador de las Ventanillas. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Orange route

    The orange route is somewhat different compared to the other two marked paths. This hike is one of the ways to get to the top of El Torcal after the road MA-9016 to the visitors center gets closed due to reaching its limits. The path begins at the lower parking of the mountain range and leads up to El Torcal Alto visitors center.  Despite its functional description, the orange route offers spectacular views and vistas like “Mirador de Manuel Grajales”. Other interesting objects along the road are An old shepherds’ refuge “Majada del Fraile” and the Natural Monument “El Tornillo”.

    Trail details

    • Distance: 3.6 km / 2.24 mi
    • Type: Linear
    • Ascend: +263 m / 863 ft
    • Duration: 3 hours and 45 minutes
    • Difficulty: Intermediate

    Camorro Alto hiking traill in El Torcal, Spain
    There are obvious traces of an attempt to make Camorro Alto climbing trail more accessible. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Climbing Camorro Alto

    This is the only unofficial hiking route I can recommend with confidence. Climbing the highest peak of El Torcal de Antequera sounds more dangerous than it actually is. Generally, given good weather conditions, a good pair of shoes should be enough to ensure your safety while climbing Camorro Alto from the northern side. Nevertheless, don’t forget that this is a nature reserve, thus if you chose to climb the mountain, maintain a “leave no trace” approach and respect the inhabitants of the area.

    Trail details

    • Distance: 2.73 km / 1.7 mi
    • Type: Linear
    • Ascend: +412 m / 1,351 ft
    • Duration: ~ 2 hours
    • Difficulty: Intermediate

    El Torcal de Antequera panorama, Spain
    The size of El Torcal is surprising. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Geology of Sierra del Torcal

    Finger-shaped rock pillars might be more common in other parts of the world, but here, in the Iberian Peninsula, they are unique geological formations. This, of course, requires specific conditions to emerge. The limestone sediments, from which Sierra del Torcal is shaped, originated in the deep past, when dinosaurs used to roam the Earth. Back then, the current area of El Torcal was submerged underwater in the Tethys Sea, located between the Iberian and African tectonic plates. As you might already know, most of the limestone rocks form throughout millions of years in the shallows sea waters, wherever it is due to biological process like oyster shells, or simply by evaporation of water, leaving Calcium Carbonate (precursor to limestone) to sink to the bottom of the ocean, where it was pressured into limestone. This process lasted for about 175 million years and resulted in strata thousands of meters thick.

    Ammonite fossil in el Torcal de Antequera, Andalucia, Spain
    Limestone rocks are a good place to look for ancient fossils. El Torcal is no exception to that. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Of course, limestone alone was not enough for such awe-inspiring rock formations like in El Torcal to take shape. These sedimentary rocks were only a mold for the forces, which sculpted the area during the last millions of years. The process, which started somewhere in the middle Miocene after the region has surfaced from the depths of the ocean, thanks to the Alpine orogeny. In fact, it is still happening today, as the Iberian plates to the north and African plates to the south continue its almost timeless showdown of collision in an attempt to form another supercontinent. Still, these uniformitarian forces were only the catalyst for the genesis of the current day form of El Torcal de Antequera.

    Rock formations in el Torcal de Antequera of Andalucia, Spain
    A photo of El Torcal de Antequera is the thumbnail of the limestone page on Wikipedia. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    As you might now understand – being exposed to the atmosphere are not natural conditions for limestone. Like almost anything else, it is vulnerable to all kinds of erosion: driven mainly by either wind or water cycles.

    First and foremost, El Torcal is best known as a karst landscape, but what does it mean? Yes, there are some caves and holes in the area but that alone is so impressive, and more importantly unique? Definitely, no. This puzzled me for a while until I dug in a bit deeper into the mechanics behind the formation of this exceptional mountain range. Caves and karst sinkholes are typical for limestone strata exposed to rain and other water cycles. All thanks to the same physical feature of Calcium Carbonate – for which we can thank for having beautiful stalagmites and stalactites as well – its solubility in water. Here in El Torcal, it has saluted entire layers of Calcite, forming wide passages between the rocks and exposing them to further erosion caused by rain, ice, and wind. Finally, these meteorological agents shaped the uncovered layers of limestone to these remarkable stone pillars. Only by understanding these slow and gradual mechanics, one can really learn to appreciate the uniqueness of El Torcal. 

    Hiking in El Torcal de Antequera, Spain
    Visiting El Torcal is a must for any mountain lover. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Personal Experience

    Having traveled the old continent in and out, very few natural landmarks still manage to surprise me. El Torcal proved to be that kind of a place. Needless to say that I loved it, or that I highly recommend visiting it. Instead, once again, I want to emphasize the out-of-place feeling the mountain range gives. The natural UNESCO World Heritage Site could hardly be compared to any wonder of nature I know. The picturesque rock columns are reminiscent of a somewhat mythical aura from a deep past. The only good match I can think of is the Great Pillars of Gondor Kings from Lord of the Rings. Of course, the main difference between the two is that you can actually visit El Torcal de Antequera and see it with your own eyes. Therefore, why hesitate? Let El Torcal speak for itself.

    El Torcal de Antequera rock formations in Andalusia, Spain
    All content and photos by Alis Monte. If you want to collaborate, contact me on info@wp.connectingcosta.com Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

  • Torrevieja Birding Guide & Map for the Best Spots

    Torrevieja Birding Guide & Map for the Best Spots

    Bird-Watching in Vega Baja del Segura

    Torrevieja is located within a unique area of Spain. Its low profile made it so that some parts of the region are below sea level. This has produced various water bodies within the area and when it comes to it in terms of bird habitats, whatever that occurred naturally, or was done by humans centuries ago to extract salt from the sea, the origins are not relevant. The plains of Vega Baja del Segura are natural wetlands, which provide good conditions to many migrating birds and some species who adapted to live here throughout the year. I’m confident that you’ll have many interesting encounters with various birds whichever you look for them or not. Certainly, the area is densely populated by both humans and birds. Situated between prime bird-watching locations like El Hondo, San Pedro del Pinatar, and the local salt lagoons of the city, one thing is certain – Torrevieja is great for birding enthusiasts.

    Muscovy duck in El Hondo Nature Park, Spain
    Muscovy Duck – there are usual and unusual visitors of El Hondo Nature Reserve. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Birding Spots Map


    El Hondo Nature Reserve

    If Costa Blanca belongs to ex-pats and tourists, El Hondo is a real metropolis of birds. Situated just about 30km / 19 mi from the Mediterranean Sea, this birds’ paradise would impress even casual visitors. Though El Fondo consists of many lakes and ponds, the main attraction is situated just next to the center of El Hondo Nature Park. A 1km long hiking trail is like a “bird safari”. You could spend hours observing the marvelous species even without actually starting the trail. Across the whole range of the hiking route, you’ll find four bird-watching cabins and a bridge over a pond filled with various ducks, hens, and other bird species. All of it covers only a small part of El Hondo. While most of it is preserved for the birds and the staff of the park only, it is possible to reach much more bird-watching cabins in the south, or contact the park rangers to arrange a bird-watching tour deep within El Hondo Nature Park. 

    Two flamingos walking in El Hondo Nature Reserve, Spain
    Though Greater Flamingos are a common sight, it is rare to see them from up-close. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Bird to See

    • Marbled teal
    • White-headed duck
    • Red-knobbed coot
    • Purple swamphen
    • Glossy ibis

    Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus at Marievale Nature Reserve, G
    Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
    El Hondo Nature Reserve, Spain
    El Hondo Nature Reserve is located just 30 km / 18.6 mi from Torrevieja. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Torrevieja and La Mata Nature Park

    Salt lagoons of Torrevieja and La Mata are an obvious destination for bird-watching. Together with the Segura River, they build a natural sanctuary for many birds. The vineyards surrounding the southeastern side of La Mata Lagoon make this part of the area exceptionally attractive to a great variety of species. No surprise that the very heart of the nature park resides here. From what I saw this is the best place for bird-spotting around Torrevieja, especially if you are a casual bird watcher. My personal favorites are hoopoes, red-legged partridges, Iberian grey shrikes, and many smaller species of birdies.

    Bird watchtower near La mata Lagoon, Spain
    There are plenty of bird-watching towers around the perimeter of La Mata Salt Lagoon. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    In the water of salt lagoons lookout for avocets, stilts, and various species of plovers. Endangered Kentish Plover is the dearest one of the area. Trees are the home for countless small birdies. You’ll probably be going to hear wrynecks from afar, but good luck spotting them. Graceful doves will be what you’d get. This is only a small forecast of what you’ll see in this birds’ paradise, the salt lagoons of Torrevieja and La Mata are. 

    Birds to See

    • Kentish plover
    • Iberian Magpie
    • Eurasian hoopoe
    • Red-legged padridge
    • Stone curlew

    Common_Hoopoe_Upupa_Epops_31_cm-2
    Nrik kiran, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
    La Mata Nature Park in Spain
    La Mata Nature Park has a high variety of natural environments and all of them are dominated by birds. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Santa Pola Lagoons

    Pink Flamingos – the main and certainly a good enough reason to visit the salt lagoons of Santa Pola. It is one of the sanctuaries of these majestic birds in the Valencian Community. Flamingos are so plentiful that spotting them is almost 100% guarantee at any time. No gear is required either, all you have to do is simply drive through the lagoons on the road N-332 between Santa Pola and Torrevieja. There are few parking lots, where you can stop to observe flamingos in detail but generally, they tend to shy away from these ponds to the ones further from the road.

    Greater Flamingos in Santa Pola Salt Lagoons, Spain
    Greater Flamingos tend to shy away from spotlight in Santa Pola Salt Lagoons. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    This is where binoculars or spotting scope comes in handy. Though spotting birds here is generally easy, the gear is mandatory to enjoy the company of pink greater flamingos and other birds. Together with gulls and stilts, these elegant birds usually dominate the lagoons, but keep your eye on

    Bird to See

    • Greater flamingo
    • Lesser flamingo
    • Black-winged stilt
    • Avocet
    • Kentish plover

    Pied_avocet_(Recurvirostra_avosetta)_France-2
    Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
    Santa Pola Salt Lagoon Tower (Torre del Tamarit) in Spain
    Tower of Tamarit is a perfect place for a quick birding stop in Santa Pola. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Cabo Cervera

    Big numbers of bird species find the sea as their natural home. The problem for bird-watchers is that the spaces are even bigger, thus observing birds might be not as convenient. The general rule of bird spotting by the sea – if they don’t come to you, you go to them. Walking along the coast will ensure encounters with many different bird species. My favorite place for birdwatching around Torrevieja is Cabo Cervera. This rocky cape is a wonder of nature worth exploring on its own but given the birds which feed here – walking along the coast is never boring.

    Kentish plover sin La Mata beach, Spain
    A Gang of Kentish Plovers – An endangered species in the area. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Don’t forget to look out the vast waters of the Mediterranean, where among various species of gulls, Northern gannets dive the sea for food. If you are lucky – you can observe an unlucky individual of these beautiful birds chased by a Great skua. During the off-season of tourism, the walking route could be extended to La Mata beaches for the small Sanderlings and Kentish Plovers. 

    Bird to See

    • Kentish plover
    • Northern gannet
    • Little egret
    • Common kestrel
    • Audouin’s Gull

    Morus_bassanus_adu-2
    Andreas Trepte, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons
    The Mediterranean Sea from Cabo Cervera in Torrevieja, Spain
    Wader birds, which dominate Cabo Cervera, specialize in finding hidden food. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Segura River Channel

    Segura is the longest river in the Province of Alicante. Naturally, it has been the source of life not only for people since prehistoric times but other lifeforms as well. To this day, the river plays an important role in human life and as the result – the delta of Segura river has been heavily industrialized. This greatly affects the potential of this natural hub for many animals including birds. Even despite all the human activities, the river is still filled with birds. The best spotting route from my experience goes from Guardamar de Segura, following the river to the Mediterranean Sea. From there you can follow the coastline and then turn inland through the Park of Alfonse XIII for the maximum variety of bird species. You’ll most likely be going to spot some grey herons, little egrets, great cormorants along with various ducks and hens. Be sure to visit Queen Sofia Park, located between Park of Alfonse XII and Guardamar, for semi-domesticated peacocks and other birds.

    Segura river delta in Guardamar, Spain
    Most of the birds are a bit further from the very delta of Segura river. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Birds to See

    • Grey heron
    • Iberian grey shrike
    • Eurasian coot
    • Great Cormorant
    • Eurasian moorhen

    Ardea_cinerea_(14172633837)-2
    xulescu_g, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

    Salt Lagoons of San Pedro del Pinatar

    There are many reasons to visit the Salt Lagoons of San Pedro del Pinatar and birds are definitely one of them. Within a fairly limited area, you can find the Mediterranean, Mar Menor, and salt lagoons themselves. No surprise this variety attracts a wide range of bird species. The lagoons are dominated by Greater flamingos, elsewhere look for the usual suspects of the Spanish coastline like Kentish plovers and their cousins, accompanied by countless species of gulls and smaller bird species. San Pedro del Pinatar has an exceptional landscape, worth a visit by itself, but you never know who else going to show up on any given day. 

    Bird to See

    • Greater flamingo
    • Kentish plover
    • Black-necked-grebe
    • Common shelduck
    • Audouin’s Gull

    Greater_flamingo_David_Raju-2
    Davidvraju, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
    Flamingos in Salindas de San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
    Even in urbanized salty ponds, flamingos are flamingos. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Personal Experience

    Without a doubt, I’m yet to fully explore all the depths of birding possibilities in the wetlands surrounding Torrevieja. The potential is so high that I imagine it can only be done throughout years of constant bird watching. There might be very few people alive who actually saw everything the area could show and even so – the diversity is probably always changing. Climate change for sure leaves its marks here. Nevertheless, the high diversity of different salinity water bodies provide in the region provide all year round or temporarily home to a great variety of birds. Birding around Torrevieja will be a real joy to any enthusiast of this endeavor. 

    El Hondo Nature Park, Spain
    All content and photos by Alis Monte. If you want to collaborate, contact me on info@wp.connectingcosta.com Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

  • Guide & Map for Good Hikes in Torrevieja & Around

    Guide & Map for Good Hikes in Torrevieja & Around

    About Torrevieja

    Unless you are an ex-pat or looking for a warm place by the Mediterranean to become one, the only reason you’d know the name of Torrevieja is its Salty lagoons, locally known as “Salinas”. Technically, it only concludes of two large water bodies: Laguna Salada de Torrevieja and Laguna Salada de La Mata, but I see many bloggers including the salt lagoons of Santa Pola, Elche, and even San Pedro del Pinatar, which is located in a totally different region – Murcia.

    Though they don’t add up as the local Torrevieja lagoons, it defines the area in which the fifth largest city in Valenciana Community is located. The area might not be as straight-out beautiful as it is when hiking in the north of Costa Blanca, but nature around Torrevieja has its own flavor of experience and tranquility.

    Tabarca island from Santa Pola Skywalk, Spain
    The southern part of Costa Blanca might not have as many advertisement as the northern counterpart, but for sure it has its own pearls. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Torrevieja Details

    • Location: Costa Blanca
    • Province: Alicante
    • Coordinates: 37.5840° N, 0.4100° 
    • Founded: 1931
    • Population: 82,599 (2018)
    • Area: 71.44 km2 (27.58 sq mi)
    • Time zone: Central European Standard Time (GMT+1)
    • Currency: Euro
    • Driving side: left
    • Forecast: Torrevieja forecast
    • Accomondation: Booking.com
    • Best time to visit: April, June, September & October

    Map of Hiking Routes

    Hiking Torrevieja and La Mata Salt Lagoons

    Despite what people might say, neither Torrevieja Salt Lagoon nor La Mata Salt Lagoon has flamingos walking around, with the minor exceptions in the first one. Despite that, the Park of Natural Salt Lagoons is a true refuge for the wildlife, especially birds. Many birdwatching is definitely among the top hobbies of the local communities. I have to admit, with such a big variety it is hard not to fall for it, which I did. You can learn more on my guide for birding around Torrevieja.

    Bird-watching at Torrevieja Coast in Costa Blanca, Spain
    Flamingos might be majestic but just one of many bird species in Costa Blanca. Photo by A.L. [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Torrevieja Salt Lagoon

    Sometimes it is possible to see one or two flamingos, near the salt mine in Salt Lagoon of Torrevieja but getting near them is virtually impossible because that part of the lagoon is private property. There are holes to enter the area but I haven’t seen anybody trying to approach the spots. Generally, people come in to get to the nearest spot of the Lagoon to get awe-inspiring sunsets shots on the glassy surface of Torrevieja Salt Lagoon. Due to exploitation, it is much saltier than the counterpart in La Mata.

    Sunset at Torrevieja Salt Lagoon in Costa Blanca, Spain
    One could be forgiven for mistaking this view with a sunset on Titan Moon of Saturn. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Generally, there are no official hikes around this Lagoon and all of the official hiking is done around the wild neighbor.

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    La Mata Salt Lagoon

    Though most of the hiking and bird-watching is done on the side of La Mata salt Lagoon, facing the sea, it is possible to walk around the whole water body if you’d like. Officially, there are three hiking routes in the park, offering great diversity among them – if you prefer a minimal dose of this natural bird haven – these hikes are just for you. If you feel more adventurous – there are things to see beyond the routes and even some bird watching towers.

    Birds at La Mata Salt Lagoon in Costa Blanca, Spain
    Water flows to La Mata Lagoon driven by gravity – the lake is below sea level. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Yellow Hiking Route

    I highly recommend taking the yellow route to explore most of the natural ecosystems typically found in wetlands. That includes a wide variety of plants and the protagonists of this type of areas – birds. During the bird nesting season between April and July, you might consider taking the cycling (red) or wine (green) hiking route. Overall, the Salt Lagoon of La Mata is a great example of the natural salty wetlands of Costa Blanca. The park is a great place for bird-watching, but most importantly – the lagoon offers a peaceful area to hike further away from the noisy coastline.

    Hike Details

    Salina de La Mata in Torrevieja, Spain
    La Mata Salt Lagoon i a true protected haven for various bird species. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Salt Lagoons of Santa Pola

    This is where you can see flamingos – at the salt lagoons of Santa Pola. They are so abundant that it is hard to miss them even when simply driving-by. Despite the high numbers, getting close to these majestic birds is not simple. I’ve marked several parking lots on the map along the road throughout the salt lagoons, but have in mind that flamingos prefer privacy. Most of them feed in the ponds further away from the road, where people cannot disturb them. It is almost impossible to make a good shot of the pink birds without professional gear. Personally, I’ve simply learned to enjoy the fact of being surrounded by these beautiful birds without trying to make the moment last forever.

    The 2470 ha area of the salt lagoons is an exemplary coexistence between traditional human cultivation and the conservation of nature. These old salty ponds look like they have an entire series of bird species, specialized in these unique natural conditions. This is because some parts of the salt lagoons are no longer in use for the salt extraction, but the whole salination mechanism is still in place. Apparently, birds really like that, thus countless species could be found within the salty ponds including flamingos, egrets, avocets, and many other bird species.

    The flamingos are not the only pink things in the area. Thanks to the salt, a wide variety of plants and the ground itself have some amount of pink coloration, which grants the park some exceptional beauty. There is probably no better place to learn about the flora of the park than the hiking route in the Salt Lagoons of del Pinet. This 4 km / 2.48 mi hiking route will uncover all the secrets of this landscape: from the practical use of local herbs in ancient medicine to the mechanics of producing salt in these ponds.

    Torre de Salinas del Pinet in Costa Blanca. Spain
    Hiking route of del Pinet goes through old salt lagoons and sand dunes next to the Mediterranean. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hike Details

    If you want to learn more about salt cultivation in these areas, consider taking either red or green hiking route in the Nature Park of Salt Lagoons of Santa Pola.

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    Sierra de Santa Pola – Santa Pola Lighthouse

    From the first sight, the lighthouse of Santa Pola and the cliff on which it stands might seem mediocre, but in fact, there is much more hidden beneath the surface. First of all, Santa Pola Lighthouse is actually a medieval watchtower – Talaiola Tower. It was used to observe Tabarca or the Mediterranean for pirate ships and signal it to the people inside the fortress of Santa Pola. Such towers could be found across Costa Blanca. In fact, Torrevieja is named after one of such towers: Torre (eng. Tower) and Vieja (eng. Old). The actual tower is located on a hill, close to Cabo Cervera.

    Escaletes Watch Tower in Santa Pola, Spain
    Escaletes Watch Tower could be easily reached on a short hike from the northern part of Santa Pola. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Second, the whole Sierra de Santa Pola is actually a fossil of approx. 5-million-year-old coral reef atoll. Taller than any of its surroundings, the 5 km diameter rock has slowly risen from the sea like a newly formed iceberg in slow motion due to the continuing collision between African and Eurasian plates. The evidence of this is so apparent that on the parts of the rocks, where erosion has opened the atoll, a good geologist could feel like diving in a sea. If you consider wandering off the road to explore the atoll and look for fossils, be sure to wear a good pair of sturdy hiking shoes. Sierra de Santa Pola is the closest you can get in the area to the popular hiking destination in Costa Blanca – Marina Alta.

    There are quite a few hiking routes in Sierra de Santa Pola but the trail Connecting Escaletes Watch Tower to Talaiola Tower (Santa Pola Lighthouse) is the best way to experience everything this ancient place has to offer. The 3 km / 1.86 mi one-way hike will provide some glimpses of the local history, great views of the Mediterranean and New Tabarca island, and some insight into the park itself, which will unveil the distant past to any keen eye.

    Rocks of fossil coral atoll of Santa Pola in Costa Blanca, Spain
    One doesn’t need a PhD in geology to tell that these rocks are somewhat different. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hike Details

    • Location: Sierra de Santa Pola
    • Starting location: Torre de Escaletes
    • Target location: Santa Pola Lighthouse
    • Distance: ~3 km / 1.86 mi x2
    • Ascend: Flat
    • Type: Linear
    • Duration: 1h x2
    • Difficulty: Easy
    Santa Pola Lighthouse skywalk in Costa Blanca, Spain
    The main reward of Santa Pola Lighthouse hike is a skywalk, facing Tabarca island. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Salt Lagoons of San Pedro del Pinatar

    That is right, more salt lagoons. Though it is located in a different region – Murcia – San Pedro del Pinatar is about the same distance from Torrevieja as Santa Pola. The salt lagoons are situated just next to the largest salt Lagoon in Europe – Mar Menor (Eng. Minor Sea). Regardless of that this large body of water feels like freshwater, compared to the salt lagoons of San Pedro del Pinatar.

    Though flamingos are also present in these salt lagoons, to me the most distinctive feature of the place is the mud baths. Thanks to the high salinity and fairly large amount of sunlight in the region, Mar Menor muds are suitable for therapeutical treatments. In fact, the salt lagoons of  San Pedro del Pinatar are the biggest open-air mud therapy area in whole Europe. They might be too shallow to be drifted upon like in the Dead Sea but it is enough to get the same SPA procedure the famous sea provides, just for free.

    Hiking San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
    In a fairly short distance, Los Encanizadas has plenty of different terrains to offer. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Once you look at the map, the uniqueness of this area is obvious. The narrow passage between Mar Menor and the Mediterranean catches the eye. Thanks to the unique traits and no urbanization, this is where most of the hiking is done. The obvious hiking trail to beat is the round route along the coast of the peninsula, though due to its length it might be wise to pick up a by cycle for the task.

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    To sum things up, the salt lagoons of San Pedro del Pinatar have flamingos, sand dunes, the sea, dead-sea-like SPA mud, and the largest salt lagoon in Europe. Sounds impressive, right? Just have in mind that these are also the most urbanized salt lagoons on the list as well.

    Las Encañizadas Hike Details

    • Location: Salt Lagoons of San Pedro del Pinatar
    • Starting location: San Pedro del Pinatar
    • Distance: ~11.9 km / 7.39 mi
    • Ascend: Flat
    • Type: Circular
    • Duration: 3h
    • Difficulty: Intermediate
    • Color: Yellow
    Flamingos in Salindas de San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain
    Even in urbanized salty ponds, flamingos are flamingos. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Playa de Calblanque

    Located beyond even the large Mar large in Murcia, the hike to Playa de Calblanque (eng. White Street beach) starts at Cala Reona on the edge of Cabo de Palos. Though the route is located a bit further from Torrevieja, Playa de Calblanque is a good alternative destination to expand your exploration of the gorgeous Spanish Mediterranean coast. Situated in a regional park with the same name, the pristine beach and its surroundings is a wonderful quiet getaway to nature, undisturbed by the noisy urbanized coasts of Costa Blanca.

    Playa de Calblanque in Murcia, Spain
    The hike to Playa de Calblanque provides
    a great variety of landscapes. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    What I love about the coast of Calblanque Park is the impression of being alien in this part of Spain. The dark stones of mountains and cliffs give an impression of being of volcanic origin. As a matter of fact, these dark rocks are ancient relics from the pre-dinosaur times, formed due to certain extreme conditions, close to the melting point. These types of natural stones are called metamorphic rocks. To my experience, they are much rarer at the surface than sedimentary or volcanic counterparts. They were unearthed for the same reason as all Betic Mountains in southeast Spain – the collision of African and Eurasian plates. One can really learn to appreciate the topography of scenery with the help of geology.

    Punta de la Espada in Calblanque Regional Park, Spain
    The cliffs between Cala Reona & Playa de Calblanque unveils ancient metamorphic rocks. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Because of the very old nature of this landscape, many mining shafts could be found along the hiking route. If it was not for the formation of Calblanque Regional Park in 1992, these magnificent lands would be exploited to this day. Thankfully, the reality is quite opposite. Calblanque Regional Park offers a great refuge not only to many plant and bird species but helps nature lovers to escape from the otherwise noisy neighborhood. It is considered to be among the best-preserved such geological coastlines in the whole Mediterranean. If nothing, hiking along it is a pure joy.

    Hike Details

    • Location: Calblanque Regional Park
    • Starting location: Cala Reona
    • Target location: Playa de Calblanque
    • Distance: ~3 km / 1.86 mi x2
    • Ascend: Flat
    • Type: Linear
    • Duration: ~1h x2
    • Difficulty: Intermediate
    • Color: Red
    Cala Reona - Playa de Calblanque hiking route in Murcia, Spain
    Some parts of the hike require extra attention and a good pair of shoes. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Personal Experience

    It is a popular notion that the Southern part of Costa Blanca is not as pretty as the northern one. While I agree with the statement due to personal liking of the mountains, not everybody might have the same opinion. The matter of fact is that the areas, surrounding Torrevieja in South Costa Blanca have a different type of landscape. Instead of mountains, cliffs, and rocky beaches of the northern part of the region, the south has sandy beaches, much smaller cliffs, and wetlands. On top of everything, the region around Torrevieja has its own unique climate zone compared to the rest of the Iberian peninsula. The hot semi-arid climate might sound a bit extreme in summer but in turn, it makes every winter trully pleasant not only to humans but birds as well. As the result, the southern part of Costa Blanca doesn’t look like semi-deadlands at all.

    Sunset at Torrevieja Salt Lagoon in Costa Blanca, Spain
    ..and then again – the sunsets and sunrises on the salty lagoons are just mesmerizing. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Given all of that, hiking in the area around Torrevieja is just different from hiking in the upper part of Costa Blanca. To some, it will provide a more desirable and accessible landscape than the mountainous one, to the others – at least some unique variety in Spain. One thing is for sure, if you learn to appreciate the wonder, the regions around Torrevieja are, the rewards are going to be immense.

    Cabo Cervera in Torrevieja, Spain
    All content and photos by Alis Monte. If you want to collaborate, contact me on info@wp.connectingcosta.com Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
  • Best 5 Hiking Trails near Benidorm, Costa Blanca

    Best 5 Hiking Trails near Benidorm, Costa Blanca

    About Benidorm

    Benidorm is the leader of sunny-beach-style tourism in Spain. The city has such a big branding for it, that the entire TV show was created about British holidaymakers, spending their money by the Mediterranean coast. Actually, Benidorm was featured in more than 300 movies or series and it was the host of many festivals including its own like “Song Festival”.

    History

    The city might seem a bit too pompous, or too one-dimensional, but becoming a tourism megapolis was the only way to prosperity for the city. Regardless of what it might look like, the roots of Benidorm might be ancient, outdating both Muslims and Romans. What is known for a fact is that Benidorm was first mentioned in 1325, and it came to the brink of extinction between 1502 and 1666, when the back-then-settlement became a part of Polop Parish.

    Road to benidorm in Costa Blanca, Spain
    Holidays in 80s style. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    The city marks the beginning of the tourism era in the city in 1893, but Benidorm got its current shape only in the early 1950s. Just after ten years, Benidorm became the first city in Spain to allow bikinis, which at first were demonstrated only by the French girls. Soon after – the tourists followed.

    At first, Benidorm was covered by horizontal hotels and villas, but during the 70s the demand grew and so did the size of hotels. They became so enormous that they started to resemble skyscrapers. It was the beginning of the modern tourism era of Benidorm.

    Benidorm from Alt del Governadorin Serra Gelada, Spain
    If Benidorm was built 2,000 years ago, it would be in UNSECO today. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    For the longest time the only resource of Benidorm – the sunny beaches – was more than enough to fulfill the needs of its holidaymakers, but today the demand is changing. The town got surrounded by various theme parks, sports, golf, and other activity venues. These places are so dense that sometimes it is easy to forget, where Benidorm is located at. There are plenty of things to see and to visit around the famous holidays destination. You can learn more about it in my guide to the best day trips from Benidorm.

    Benidorm Details

    • Location: Costa Blanca
    • Province: Alicante
    • Coordinates: 38.5411° N, 0.1225° W
    • Founded: 1325
    • Population: 67,558 (2018)
    • Area: 38.51 km2
    • Time zone: Central European Standard Time (GMT+1)
    • Currency: Euro
    • Driving side: left
    • Forecast: Benidorm forecast
    • Accomondation: Booking.com
    • Best time to visit: April, June, September & October

    Marina Baixa panorama from Camino del Faro, Spain
    Benidorm and most of the natural beauty around it are located in Marina Baixa region. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hiking Around Benidorm

    Benidorm might not be the first destination to come into mind for hiking, but it is actually located in a very beautiful part of Spain – Costa Blanca. The terrain around the city is exceptionally beautiful, thus the option to stretch the legs for a change is always there. Also, Benidorm is located right next to a hiking paradise – Marina Alta.

    What applies in Alicante region applies to Benidorm as well. This region is very mountainous, thus there are plenty of hiking opportunities. Given the long stretches of the Mediterranean Sea, most of the hikes have awe-inspiring views, which undoubtedly going to leave a mark in your memory. Despite the depth of the wonderful natural wonders to visit in Alicante region, in this article I’m going to focus only on the hikes within close reach of Benidorm. Though, one could argue that this is in a matter of fact the most beautiful part not only of the region of Alicante, but the whole Valenciana Community.

    Hiking in Serra Gelada Natural Park

    The most obvious place to hike near Benidorm is the giant rock cliff right next to the city – Serra Gelada Natural Park (Parque Natural de la Serra Gelada). Due to its close proximity, the park might look like a boring place to go, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Benidorm arose in Costa Blanca not without a reason. This area is stunningly beautiful. The mountains seem to be hand-in-hand with the Mediterranean Sea and Serra Gelada Natural Park is one of those places.

    The view of Mediterranean Sea from Alt del Governador in Serra Gelada, Spain
    The view of Mediterranean Sea from Alt del Governador. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    1. Alt del Governador – Climbing the Roof of Serra Gelada

    If you want to rise above the skyscrapers of Benidorm, there is no better place to do so than climbing Alt del Governador. Rising 438 m / 1,437 ft above the sea level, which is right next to the peak, Alt del Governador is the highest point of Serra Gelada Natural Park. Though the peak is situated closer to L’Albir on the other side of the mountain range, the yellow route through Serra Gelada connects both towns. Therefore, technically, it is possible to climb Alt del Governador from either side, though walking straight from Benidorm will add about 2-3h of walking in one direction.

    There are good rock climbing routes for beginners in Serra gelada. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hike Details

    • Location: Serra Gelada
    • Starting Location: Serra Gelada tourist information center
    • Target Location: Alt del Governador
    • Distance: ~2 km / 4.34 mi x2
    • Ascend: 438 m / 1,437 ft
    • Type: Linear
    • Duration: 1h x2
    • Difficulty: Intermediate

    The detour route to the peak has the same yellow marking as the rest of the hiking trail, thus be aware of signs showing directions. Alt del Governador rises clearly above all the terrain of Serra Gelada therefore it shouldn’t be possible to miss it. In case you want to be sure, Alt del Governador is the peak with all the antennas on it, The very same one, which gives the precise weather forecast for the beaches of Benidorm.

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    Serra Gelada is a very popular hiking destination, but the yellow-marked hiking route is much less crowded than its red counterpart. Both hikes from L’Albir side starts from the tourist information center of Serra Gelada and has dedicated parking lot right next to the entrance. There is no possibility to refill your water tanks along the route except the tourist information center, thus being enough. Though parts of the hike are covered by a forest, during the hot parts of the season, the weather will be scorching even in the shadows.

    Altea Bay in Costa Blanca, Spain
    Climbing Alt del Governador will reward with the amazing views at all directions. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    2. Camino del Faro – The Hike to Albir Lighthouse

    The other official hiking route in Serra Gelada Natural Park connects the tourist information center to L’Albir lighthouse via the red-marked track. Way more people come to the park to do this hike than the yellow route and for a good reason. Camino del Faro follows the northeast edge of the Serra Gelada cliff ridge. Needless to say, the views of Penon de Ifach, Altea, L’Albir beach & Puig Campana are just jaw-dropping.

    Mirador del Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    Having in mind the wonderful scenery of the hike, and the accessibility, Camino del Faro is somewhat a paradise for all kinds of nature lovers. Photo by A.L. [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hike details

    Having said that, the vistas are just top-notch across Serra Gelada. The real reason for the popularity of the hike is the quality of the road itself. Though similar in length, the red route is not as steep as the yellow one. Also, Camino del Faro has a paved wheelchair friendly road, which attracts many cyclists, scooters, and even Segway enthusiasts. In short – anybody can do this hike and it even has WiFi. Given the awe-inspiring vistas along the route, Camino del Faro is a perfect hiking route for easily accessed spots for beautiful Instagram pictures to everybody. You can read more about hiking to Albir lighthouse in this guide.

    Alt del Governador (438m) in Serra Gelada, Spain
    Alt del Governador (438m) in Serra Gelada, Spain. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    3. Cova Tallada – Perfect Combination of Walking & Sea

    Located on the edge of Costa Blanca, Cova Tallada is a cave system by the sea next to the giant cliffs of Mount Montgó Natural Park. The cave is a very popular destination not only among hikers but kayakers as well. People come here to spend their day on the rocky beaches near Cova Tallada to enjoy the views, snorkeling, and even cliff diving. Because of the crowds, the hike tends to get worse press than it should. Sure the route is dangerous but if you act carefully and follow all the common hiking rules – you’ll be fine. Just be sure to take a pair of good hiking shoes because the rocks are slippery due to the overuse of the route.

    There are 6 official hiking routes in Mount Montgó Natural Park but I’ve picked Cova Tallada due to its uniqueness in the list. If you are considering looking for another hike in the park, have in mind that all of them are linear and require taking water supplies with you.

    People having a picnic in Cova Tallada, Costa Blanca, Spain
    The hallway is connected to the main room which covers most of the total area. Acoustics are perfect here as the ceiling is astonishingly high. The dining room is combined with the room but due to ever-changing trends of design it is hard to notice where exactly the kitchen is. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hike details

    • Location: Montgo Natural Park
    • Starting Location: Denia
    • Target Location: La Cova Tallada
    • Distance: 1km / 0.62mi
    • Duration: 30-40min one way
    • Difficulty: Intermediate

    Cova Tallada hike is a very short walk from Denia by the beautiful cliffs of Mount Montgó, facing the ever-blue Mediterranean Sea. The route starts at the eastern edge of Denia facing Mount Montgó Natural Park. There is no dedicated parking lot for the amounts of visitors Cova Tallada receives, therefore you’ll have to drop your car somewhere in the outer streets of the city. The hike itself will take just above half an hour to complete. That includes some stairs and narrow ferrata roads by the cliffs, thus some mountain hiking experience is recommended.

    You can read the details of hiking to Cova Tallada in this guide, but if the hiking route looks too difficult for you – don’t worry – you can always rent a kayak in Denia and row it to Cova Tallada.

    Mount Montgó Natural Park, Spain
    Montgó mountain is 753 m / 2470 ft high. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    4. Penon de Ifach – Climbing the Gibraltar of Costa Blanca

    The real crown jewel of the Costa Blanca for challenging hiking and exceptional views is Penon de Ifach. Situated behind Calpe city, on a tip of the region, this rock was used for navigation from ancient times. The great sea culture – Phoenicians – used to call Penon de Ifach the North Rock, with the south one being famous Gibraltar itself.

    On the top of Penon de Ifach above Calpe town, Spain
    The views speak for themselves. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hike Details

    Rising 332m / 1089 ft above the sea level, Penon de Ifach might not be as tall as Alt del Governador of Serra Gellada but the vistas are superb probably to everything I’ve seen so far in the Iberian Peninsula. Because of that, the popularity of the hike is much higher than it is supposed to be. Many people try to hit above their category by attempting this difficult climb but I can hardly blame them. If anywhere, the risks are worth taking. Though I highly suggest this hike only to the people, who have some rock climbing experience and good sturdy hiking boots.

    The hike to the top of Penon de Ifach could be easily divided into two parts: The first one is a good quality road, which traverses up like a snake to a tunnel and could be done by anybody; The second part starts just after the tunnel through rocks to the very peak of the Calpe rock. It might sound easier than I insist the route is, but have in mind the high crowds, which make the rocks more slippery every day. Without a guide to climbing Penon de Ifach should be carefully considered, but it is probably the hike to do in the whole of Costa Blanca. Even though the Calpe rock provides superb views, the other hikes could be much easier but still very mesmerizing.

    Penon de Ifach in Calpe Town, Spain
    Penon de Ifach is 332 m / 1,089 ft height rock, rising above the Mediterranean. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    5. Puig Campana – In Search of Benidorm Island Origins

    Puig Campana hike is the hiking route to beat not only around Benidorm but in the whole of Costa Blanca. At 1,406m / 4,613ft is the highest point in the region and one of the tallest mountains in the Valencian Community, therefore getting on the very top of it is the ultimate challenge. Climbing Puig Campana will test not only your skills but endurance and physical preparation as well. Despite all the odds, it will reward with incomparable awe, only possible such peaks as Puig Campana is – the highest mountain in proximity.

    Roland's Cut in Puig Campana, Spain
    Roland’s Cut in Puig Campana. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hike Details

    • Location: Marina Baixa
    • Starting Location: Font del Moli
    • Type of hike: Loop
    • Distance: 11km / 6.83mi
    • Ascend: ~600m / 1.968ft
    • Duration: ~4h
    • Difficulty: Intermediate (without ascend)

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    Due to the Puig Campana’s dramatic appearance, the climb to the top of it seems to start from the arrival to Costa Blanca. With the right weather conditions, Puig Campana dominates the landscape in the region. The most extinguishing feature of the mountain is Roland’s cut, which as the legend of Puig Campana tells was cut out by the famous Knight himself to prolong the life of his loved one by a few moments. The remnants of that mountain slice are supposed to be the giant rock at the coast by Benidorm. Whatever there is any truth in this, the legend animates the romance in the already lovely region.

    The hiking route to the very top of Costa Blanca begins at Font Moliin Finestrat town. There are two options to climb Puig Campana: The first one is shorted but very unpleasant and a hard one – the so-called “vertical kilometer”, which is actually 1,100m / 3,609ft of steep upright climbing; The second one is easier but longer and requires just as much endurance. The route via Col de Pouet might require a whole day to complete, but it is just as I said before – climbing Puig Campana is the hike to beat in Costa Blanca.

    Puig Campana from Camino del Faro, Spain
    Puig Campana is visible from anywhere near Benidorm, insluding Serra Gelada. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Personal Experience

    Hiking in the area around Benidorm of Costa Blanca at first might look like a cheap shot but in reality, it is a blessing in disguise. It took me four visits to the area to start truly appreciate the uniqueness of this landscape. The region is filled with artificial towns for tourists and ex-pats but beyond them lies the reason why they were built in this area in the first place. Costa Blanca combines the best of nature into one region and exploring it will be an unforgettable adventure.

    On the top of everything, Costa Blanca is not all the same all the way. Benidorm is located at the central part of it and has a good mixture of everything. If you want more cliffs, you should head north to Marina Alta, and if you want a flat landscape, you should try hiking in Torrevieja wetlands. I hope that my personal experience of exploring Costa Blanca will help you to learn to appreciate the region, just as they taught me to do so.

    Benidorm & Puig Campana & Costa Blanca panorama from Alt del Governador, Spain
    All content and photos by Alis Monte. If you want to collaborate, contact me on info@wp.connectingcosta.com Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

  • Camino Del Faro – Hike to Albir Lighthouse in Serra Gelada, Costa Blanca

    Camino Del Faro – Hike to Albir Lighthouse in Serra Gelada, Costa Blanca

    E-Bike Friendly Hike

    Because of a similar name to the most popular trail in the world, to some “Camino del Faro” might sound like a long and hard walk. The reality couldn’t be more opposite. From the starting point to the very end, the whole 2.5km of road is wheelchair-friendly. The route is relatively flat; thus, elderly people can do it as well. Having in mind the wonderful scenery of the hike, and the accessibility, Camino del Faro is somewhat a paradise for all kinds of nature lovers.

    Being one of them, and also into science, the relaxing walk made my mind to drift away thinking of the hiking as an activity. We all know that it is good for you, but why? Having in mind all the features of the route I mentioned before, was like a perfect storm to try deconstructing the whole hiking thing to the very bits. It is then, what I saw was really upsetting. Observing some people exploiting the good conditions of the road left me with somewhat mixed feelings. It looked to me like they miss the entire point of hiking.

    Albir lighthouse from Albir beach, Spain
    Albir lighthouse from Albir beach, Spain. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

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    Camino del Faro Details

    Costa Blanca Hiking Map

    Due to its accessibility and gorgeousness, Camino del Faro might be the most popular hike if not in the whole of Costa Blanca, then definitely in the area near Benidorm. It is a perfect place to start uncovering the beauty of Costa Blanca, but there is much more to see. These are some of the best hikes around Benidorm in Costa Blanca.


    Is it Hard to Hike Camino del Faro?

    Well, like any hike, it depends on your preparation. To some people it might look hard, even a segway is required to do the “walking“. On the other hand, I bet the blind people could do the hike. Jokes aside, if you can walk 5km with as many breaks as you want – you can do the hike. I‘ve seen people from all age groups doing Camino del Faro: from those who can barely walk to those who just learned to do so. After all, Camino del Faro is as easy as a walk in a park and it is the beauty of it. We all can enjoy this walk despite our conditions.

    Electric Bike Guided Tour

    In case it is hard physically for you to reach Albir’s lighthouse on foot, it is possible to rent e-bike to do the hike. It is even possible to get a guided e-bike tour to reveal more than just the beautiful nature of Serra Gelada. Unfortunately, I could only find such a guided tour from Benidorm.

    Recommended Gear

    Whatever is comfortable. I’ve seen people doing the hike with proper mountain hiking gear but if you prefer flip-flops – don’t worry – this is THE HIKE. You’ll do just fine.

    Entrance to Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    Entrance to Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain. Photo by Aiste [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Getting to Camino del Faro

    Serra Gelada is located between Albir and Benidorm – popular tourist getaway – which guarantees a good connection to the area. It could be reached by Autopista de Mediterraneo, a toll road Ap-7, or N-332 – slower and busier free alternative. Whichever road you pick, I’ll guarantee you – you’ll feel like you could drive straight to the Albir lighthouse.

    Parking of Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada
    Parking of Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Parking Camino del Faro

    Just next to the entrance to Serra Gelada park there is a huge parking lot built there for visitors of Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada. Despite its size, I expect it to be full in the evening, during the high season. Just have in mind that the same would apply even more for the rest of Albir town.

    Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada from airplane.
    Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada from airplane. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada

    The key feature of the park is the large cliffs, rising above 400 meters above the sea level providing some of the most dramatic landscapes of Costa Blanca. Heights of the most prominent point, Alt del Governador (438m), are enough to rank them among the tallest cliffs in the whole Iberian Peninsula. Other interesting features of the park are: hanging fossilized dunes among the coast; the underwater area with all of its flora and fauna, including the presence of cetaceans. All of this is enough to make it one of the most unique protected spaces in the entire Valencian Community.

    Crossroad at the entrance to Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada, Spain
    Crossroad at the entrance to Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Camino del Faro (Albir – Albir Lighthouse Yellow Route)

    Camino del Faro starts straight at the entrance to Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada, sharing the starting point with several other hikes, which you can find on the edge of a popular beach resort town, Albir. A tourist information center is located at the spot with drinkable water and public WC. It is the only one on the whole route, with no possibility to do your nasty work somewhere off-route. Camino del Faro contains twelve designated stops across the 2.5km route. That alone will be enough to help you take more from the hike than just beautiful pictures.

    Picnic area at Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    Camino del Faro leads to the left toward a picnic area with another access to water. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

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    Free wifi in Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    To my surprise, the area of the park even includes free wi-fi. Ironically, the routes, which need a connection for navigation the least, are the only ones to have it. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Flora in Camino del Faro, Serra Gelada, Spain
    Flora in Camino del Faro, Serra Gelada, Spain. [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    The first information stand will direct your attention to the surrounding flora in the shadowed parts of the park. If there is one thing people should learn here is that Serra Gelada is the home to some endemic (found only in this area) plant species to this area of the Mediterranean. Respecting their habitat could be a life and death question to the survival of whole species.

    The first glimpse of Puig Campana on Camino del Faro, Spain

    It won’t take long until the road will roll out of the vegetation layer to give the first glimpse of what is to come. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Mirador del Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    Soon after you‘ll reach the first viewpoint area with jawbreaking scenery. Photo by Aiste [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

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    Panorama of Mirador del Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    It is the best distance/view ratio I‘ve ever experienced in any hike. Seriously, anywhere else I would walk 10km for this. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Puig Campana

    In this area, a 10km hike will get you to the top of this mountain – Puig Campana. Elevated 1,406m above the sea level it is the second-highest mountain in the Province of Alicante. The key feature of this giant mountain is a small gash, just next to the peak of it. Curious how it got there? There are several legends which you can read here.

    Tunnel on Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    The next thing to catch your attention, undoubtedly, is going to be a tunnel, built here 60 years ago to make the access to 156-year old Albir lighthouse less dangerous. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    The stepts to the second viewont on Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    Be sure not to miss the road on the left to the tunnel, where hides the second viewpoint of the route. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

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    The view from the second viewpoint on Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    Compared to the last viewpoint, this one gives only a slightly different angle, but it is hard to get enough of it. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Penon de Ifach from Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    Penon de Ifach from Camino del Faro. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Penon de Ifach

    From now on you’ll be constantly followed by this scenery. See that rock? That is Penon de Ifach, a Gibraltar-type rock of Costa Blanca in Calpe. If you want to climb that one instead – I highly recommend reading the pieces of advice written in climbing Penon de Ifach guide. This hike falls into the category – high risk, high reward.

     

    Man walking in a tunnel on Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    After the second viewpoint, head back to the tunnel. Just don’t think too much about its dynamite origins. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Camino del Faro Photo Tour

    Fossils found on Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    Fossils found on Camino del Faro. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    These are fossils of extinct bivalve mollusks – Condrodontos. While the shape of it might not impress you, the fact that they are here proves that at least this part of Serra Gelada was at the seabed 100 mya.

    Flora on the sunny side of Serra Gelada, Spain

    After the tunnel, the path goes to the sunny side of the park (not today). For that reason, the vegetation is totally different, including more endemic plant species. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

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    La Mina cove on Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    The road goes deep into Serra Gelada, around La Mina Cove. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Boca de Ballena on Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    The next point of interest is Boca de Ballena, which could look like an ordinary cave, but its name actually translates to Mount of Whale. Hope this will spark your imagination. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Down the road, Cala de la Mina is accessible to anyone willing to do the climbing back. I imagine this beach would be appreciated more by snorkeling enthusiasts rather than usual swimmers.

    Ochre mine on Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain

    After a few couples of hundred meters, deep in the cove, iron-rich red stones of La Mina (eng. Mine) appear right into your face. This ochre mine was run by a single family from the mid-19th to early 20th century. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Alfonso Yebenes Simon Viewpoint on Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    The last viewpoint before the Grande Finale of the hike is named after mining engineer and geologist, Alfonso Yebenes Simon, who’s scientific work and publications were very important understanding the stone formations of Serra Gelada. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

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    Albir lighthouse in Serra Gelada, Spain
    Albir lighthouse was built in 1863. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Old road to Albir lighthouse in Serra Gelada, Spain
    The old alternative to Camino del Faro went along the coast to the very end, where the steps led right to the lighthouse. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Panorama from Albir lighthouse in Serra Gelada, Spain
    Once you reach the lighthouse, it feels like the whole Mediterranean Sea opens in front of your eyes. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Spotting Cetaceans

    The Albir lighthouse area is great for spotting cetaceans, especially, the bottlenose dolphins. The Serra Gelada Natural Park is home to one of the few schools of these wonderful creatures, found around the waters of the Iberian Peninsula.

    Cliff at Albir lighthouse in Serra Gelada, Spain
    At the point, where Albir lighthouse was built, the height of the cliff facing the sea is about 112m. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Alt del Governador (438m) in Serra Gelada, Spain
    Alt del Governador (438m) in Serra Gelada, Spain. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Cliffs of Serra Gelada

    These dramatic cliffs formed 70 mya when Africa shifted northwards and collided with the Iberian Peninsula. This resulted in many mountains and similar cliffs across Spain and Europe. The gap between these two peaks is about 170m, formed as a result of an erosion caused by the water.

    Paved road on Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    Camino del Faro is a linear walk, but, at least, it is a pleasant walk in a park. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

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    La Mina cove near Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    The coves of Serra Gelada and Benidorm Island were regular hideouts for pirates between the 16th and 18th centuries. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Girl on Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    Camino del Faro is highly recommended for anybody happen to be in the area. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    My Impressions of Camino del Faro

    As a European country, Spain is one of the larger ones, and it is no secret that it has a lot to show-of. For that reason, it is expected for some places to have better infrastructure, and some places to lag behind it. Camino del Faro is an example of excellence not only in Spain but in the rest of Europe. Not that every hiking route should be paved (and I’m strongly against it) but that it is possible to have some of these top-notch scenery areas made accessible to everyone.

    Man sitting on a rock on Camino del Faro in Serra Gelada, Spain
    Man sitting on a rock on Camino del Faro. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    The Benefits of Hiking

    The views might look like the main reward here, but the actual motivation for hiking is rather different. Getting direct sun and exercising increases the levels of serotonin in the brain¹. Nowadays, it is a well-known fact that serotonin reduces anxiety of the people vulnerable to depression and increase the mood for all of us². Thus, I cannot stress myself enough to express how it is sad for me to see “like vampires” missing the entire point of outdoor activities.

    Hiking Camino del Faro on segway in Serra Gelada, Spain
    No kidding, right. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

     

    Just because this beautiful route is paved, that doesn’t mean that people should grab a segway, or electric scooter, and ride along. It is hard to explain my thoughts once I saw a young woman getting off her Segway and trying to climb a rock by a cliff. All this risk just to get a beautiful picture. She couldn’t do more things wrong here.

    The reason why I’m stressing about this is, that she risked her safety for a short-term behavior reinforcing dopamine boost obtained from the likes on social network for a cool picture³, while totally ignoring the main benefits of hiking. As I mentioned before, exercising would have similar effects due to increased levels of serotonin, minus the addictive part, plus all the other benefits of active lifestyle, which we all can equally enjoy on Camino del Faro.

    Peace. Photo by Aiste [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Sources:

    ¹ Young S. N. (2007). How to increase serotonin in the human brain without drugs. Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience : JPN, 32(6), 394–399.

    ² Jenkins, T. A., Nguyen, J. C., Polglaze, K. E., & Bertrand, P. P. (2016). Influence of Tryptophan and Serotonin on Mood and Cognition with a Possible Role of the Gut-Brain Axis. Nutrients, 8(1), 56. doi:10.3390/nu8010056

    ³ Trevor Haynes (2018). Dopamine, Smartphones & You: A battle for your time. http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2018/dopamine-smartphones-battle-time

  • Hiking to Cova Tallada from Denia in Montgo Natural Park

    Hiking to Cova Tallada from Denia in Montgo Natural Park

    About Cova Tallada

    Everything is written in its name – Cova Tallada – translated from Valenciana language that would be the Carved Cave. This makes the cave not just another cave – sculpted out of a rock by water waves as it was some kind of bad-tasted contemporary art sculpture – the cave is man-made. This naturally raises a question why would somebody carve a cave not too far but not too close to the settlement nearby – Denia – to which Cova Tallada’s destiny was bounded from the very beginning and still holds to this day.

    Despite Cova Tallada origins, its beauty is sought by lots of tourists and adventurers. So many that during the high season access to the cave had to be limited due to safety reasons. You see, from time to time some people tend to fall into Cova Tallada as they get ‘creative’ trying to take a selfie on the hole above the cave.

    The view from Cova Tallada in Costa Blanca, Spain
    Sneak Peak. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Cova Tallada Hike Details

    • Location: Montgo Natural Park – Denia
    • Starting location: Denia
    • Target location: Cova Tallada
    • Coordinates: 38º81’75 ″ N – 0º16’74 ″ ° W
    • Distance: 1km / 0.62mi
    • Duration: 30-40min
    • Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Depending on season and experience
    • Permit: Required between June 15 – September 30

    Map of Costa Blanca Hikes

    Despite all odds, I would easily rank hike to Cova Tallada among the best hikes in Costa Blanca. The route simply has so much to offer in such a short distance. If you can avoid the crowds, hiking to Cova Tallada is an absolutely must!

    The Official Rules of Cova Tallada Hike

    • Stay in the cave no longer than 2 hours
    • Bring water in abundance
    • Proper footwear
    • Do not bring bulky and cumbersome objects
    • Do not run or shout

    It is forbidden to:

    • Spending the night at the cave
    • Fishing and extracting any kind of species from the sea
    • Feeding the aquatic fauna
    • Pulling out plants
    • Littering

    Protected vegetation on Montgo natural Park, Costa Blance, Spain
    Montgo Natural park is the home to many protected & endemic species. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

     

    More information: Official website of Natural Parks in Valencia

    Is it Safe to Hike to Cova Tallada?

    The main thing everybody needs to understand before going to Cova Tallada is that all the warnings of danger are here due to the popularity of the hike. The route is nowhere close to being somehow exceptionally unsafe. All the fuss is just because the cave is not only popular among hikers but tourists as well thus the whole area gets really crowded. It is not a secret that the number of incidents increases with the number of visitors. The authorities are simply left with no other options once the tragic news get to the papers. Everything combined, my general advice – like during any other hike including steep slopes – the correct pace is always the safe pace. If you stick to this rule you will be all right. Let the idiots alone increase the incident roll.

    Walking to Cova Tallada in Costa Blanca, Spain6
    Your average road quality on Cova Tallada hike. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Is it Hard to Hike to Cova Tallada?

    The route itself is hard to describe, it doesn’t fit into any basic category. Physically – the walk is not difficult because it is very short but technically – the story is a bit different. With good shoes and some experience, many would mark the hike as easy though that totally doesn‘t do the justice to actually easy hikes. The best way to prepare for the hike would be to follow me through this article and decide it yourself because it really depends on your own skills and equipment.

    My Recommended Gear

    • Water shoes
    • Good hiking shoes for steep Rock climbing
    • Extra: If you like snorkeling, be sure to take your gear along

    Denia – Cova Tallada Yellow Route

    The first challenge of the hike is to find the beginning of the route. It should not be a problem if you are reading this article because I have already linked the coordinations on Google Maps.

    The road toward Mirador las Rotas and yellow route to Cova Tallada
    From the start of the yellow route to Cova Tallada to Mirador las Rotas the road is relatively civilized and the only way to get hurt is to get ‘creative’. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Steps down toward Cova Tallada at Mirador las Rotas, Costa Blanca, Spain
    Some people tend to miss it but just before Mirador Las Rotas there are small steps down to continue the road toward Cova Tallada. When in doubt – always look for yellow route markings. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    The view from Mirador Las Rotas, Denia, Spain.
    The view from Mirador Las Rotas, Denia. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

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    Steps on the yellow route from Denia to Cova Tallada, Costa Blanca, Spain
    This is where the walk might get a bit tricky from time to time but if sightseeing and walking are not done at the same time everybody should be just fine. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Formation of Montgo Massif – Precursor to Cova Tallada

    Cova Tallada is located at the edge of Montgo Massif, which arose from the depths some 70 million years ago when continent plates of Europe and Africa were making love pretty hard. No surprise, passing through this place is not easy; but without it there would be no places like this beautiful cave.

    Montgo Natural Park on Costa Blanca in Spain
    Montgo Natural Park from Mirador las Rotas (viewpoint of broken). Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Road to Cova Tallada in Costa Blanca,Spain
    The hike includes some steps. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Photo Tour to Cova Tallada

    From here on Cova Tallada is just behind two passages across hill cliffs, which I suggest walking extra-carefully. The basic rule is to let everybody from in front to pass the difficult part first because you never know, which passer-by might be a hot-headed idiot, who will use any given possibility to push you off the cliff.

    Pro tip: In case somebody enters a difficult range while you are on it, just stop on the safe side and let them pass on the outside. They chose to put you in a dangerous situation so let them do the walking.

     

    Grinded path to Cova Tallada in Costa Blanca, Spain
    The valley between the passages is less stressful but since the path is very popular – most of the rocks are ground almost as if it was done by a jeweler – thus might get a bit slippery with the wrong footwear. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Hiking to Cova Tallada on a narrow path
    The second passage doesn‘t include steps but it is quite narrow, just stick to the rules I posted above and you’ll be fine. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

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    Cliff jumping near Cova Tallada in Costa Blanca, Spain
    Just before the hike turns into a rock climbing session, the road goes around a small gulf with Cova Tallada almost visible behind the next corner. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Getting Into Cova Tallada

    Sign to Cova Tallada in Costa Blanca, Spain
    Once you get to this sign ‘the walk in a park’ is over. To access the cave you have two options with neither of them being very simple. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Stairs leading to Cova Tallada in Costa Blanca, Spain
    The official route goes down this road where you’ll have to take out your hands out of your pockets or if you are cool – take the risk of falling somewhere, hurting something. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    At this point, some of you might be already thinking – ‘I’m taking the second route’ but don’t be so quick to judge. The second option does not include the rock climbing session but instead requires hiking a bit further, descending from a way gentler cliff on unofficial route, fording to an islet nearby, crossing the islet (which is a total pain without water shoes) and swimming to the cave.

    An islet near Cova Tallada in Costa Blanca, Spain
    The second option to enter Cova Tallada goes through water. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Snorkeling at Cova Tallada

    Needless to say which route I took. After walking through the razor-sharp surface of the islet, cursing my flip-flops without stopping, I found myself only dozen meters away from Cova Tallada with the only obstacle being the sea.

    Snorkeling in Cova Tallada, Costa Blanca, Spain
    Moments before going for a snorkel toward Cova Tallada. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Cautiously I took my steps forward, getting deeper and deeper, toward the uncharted underworld. The same moment my eyes got below the surface of salty seawater, that world revealed itself to me. Everything changed instantly – like midday to midnight. For a moment, I forgot everything that I left above and swam deeper into this alien planet. Escorted by flocks of fish, I was navigating between giant rocks. They were like huge houses to other lifeforms, who were all carefully observing this unseen explorer tirelessly trying to reach his goal. Avoiding jellyfishes, somehow I reached the shallow waters, where crabs took the race for their lives just before I ascended above them to enter Cova Tallada.

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    Even though there was no thought process behind the decision, I don’t regret taking the second option. I had no idea about the first one until I swam to the cave just to find the entrance from the surface. I was quite surprised how all of these people got to the cave with all this gear and food, and pets, while I was there barefoot only with a phone and a snorkel in my hands. Don’t take this as an encouragement to skip the water shoes part, this venture cost me five cuts on my toes and it could have been way worse if not for my thick skin.

    Panorama view of Cova Tallada in Costa Blance, Spain
    Panorama view of Cova Tallada. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    The Antics of Cova Tallada

    LCova Tallada stretches from 15 meters in height to 75 meters in length but I imagine these numbers might not give the correct impression of the cave. An easier way to characterize the Carved Cave would be to compare it to a medium-sized flat, somewhere in the countryside near a sea.

    People entering Cova Tallada in Costa Blanca, Spain
    There is an entrance at the end of a hallway which leads to the stairs you need to climb before getting out of here. The flat is on the base floor after all. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    People having a picnic in Cova Tallada, Costa Blanca, Spain
    The hallway is connected to the main room which covers most of the total area. Acoustics are perfect here as the ceiling is astonishingly high. The dining room is combined with the room but due to ever-changing trends of design it is hard to notice where exactly the kitchen is. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

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    Holes on the roof of Cova Tallada in Costa Blanca, Spain
    Few windows on the roof will keep the main room enlightened for most of the day. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Sea front view from Cova Tallada in Costa Blanca, Spain
    There is a terrace in the main room with a top-notch view. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Natural pool of Cova Tallada in Costa Blanca, Spain
    The main problem with the flat is that the bathroom is located outside. Yes it includes a huge bath but when the weather is bad it might get annoying. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

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    Inside COva Tallada Cave, Costa Blanca, Spain
    …and last but not least is the beautiful sleeping room which is darker than other spaces of the flat – perfect for sleeping and other stuff. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Arches to the sea in Cave Tallada, Costa Blanca, Spain
    The only illumination of the room is coming through several arches that are leading straight to the backyard where you’ll find plenty of space for your daily exercise. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Inside Cova Tallada in Costa Blanca, Spain
    Overall the flat could maintain over a couple of hundred people though I wouldn’t signup for such a commune thus recommend visiting it off-season. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Cova Tallada Secrets

    The beautiful arches of the interior withstand all the bad weather for a reason. Apparently, the rocks are more robust at this location and the whole cave was carved out by the people from Denia. They used these rocks to build important buildings in the city, including the Castle of Denia. So if you still think this hike is dangerous or hard – imagine the people carrying these rocks the same distance – which is untrue, since it is way easier to do it by the sea. I’ll leave you with that.

    Boat on a tour near Montgo Natural Park in Costa Blanca, Spain
    Your Ad of boat tours to Cova Tallada could be here. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

  • Hiking Penon de Ifach – Calpe Rock, Costa Blanca

    Hiking Penon de Ifach – Calpe Rock, Costa Blanca

    The Gibraltar of Costa Blanca

    From everything I’ve ever seen, there is only one place like legendary Gibraltar. Take away the strategic importance with its historical significance from Gibraltar, and add the remote beauty of the wild nature, you get Penon de Ifach. Located on the tip of Calpe City, it is separating the urban area’s beaches into two. Having in mind the Les Salines, a salt lagoon located in the middle of the city, the beauty of views from the top of Penon de Ifach is somewhat iconic on Instagram. This is certainly among the best things to do in Calpe and one of the best hikes near Benidorm, Costa Blanca overall.

    Penon de Ifach Calp Costa Blanca Spain
    Penon de Ifach from Calpe. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hiking Penon de Ifach Details

    • Location: Calpe
    • Region: Marina Alta
    • Starting location: Natural Park of Penon de Ifach
    • Target location: Penon de Ifach
    • Coordinates: 38.6351 ″ N, 0.0744 ″ W
    • Distance: 2km / 1,24mi
    • Duration: ~3h
    • Accomondation: Calpe, Altea, Albir & Benidorm
    • Difficulty: Hard – Unless you are fit, not recommended. Intermediate difficult to experienced people.
    • Permit: Limited access during peak times
    • More information: Official website

    Map of Costa Blanca Hikes


    About Penon de Ifach

    Rising 332m above the sea level, which is right next to it, Penon de Ifach is a hard-to-miss wonder of nature of Costa Blanca. With a size of approx. 45 hectares or 62 soccer fields, the Natural Park of Penon de Ifach is the smallest regional park in Spain and one of the smallest in the whole of Europe. Nevertheless, it attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year. Due to its uniqueness, the rock creates many microhabitats perfect for rare specialized plants. If it is safe, be sure to smell various flowers growing around the path.

    Penon de Ifach is also a nesting site for many birds and for that reason it has some path restrictions from 1st April to 30th June. Even though you can meet some of the semi-domesticated cats in the park, during the mating season, it is the sea birds which will drive you crazy with their catlike sounds for seducing a partner. No matter how many tourists come here, there are more seagulls than anybody else. It is their rock, respect that. Birds are not the only ones to appreciate Penon de Ifach, humans used the rock to navigate since prehistoric times. Today, Penon de Ifach marks the entrance to Marina Alta – the hikers’s paradise.

    Penon de Ifach hike Seagull
    Sneak Peak. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    History of Penon de Ifach

    It is not surprising that I’m not the first to notice the similarity between Penon de Ifach and Gibraltar. Around 4.000 years ago, Phoenicians, the best sailors in the World at that time, called Gibraltar and Penon de Ifach – the Southern Rock and the Northern Rock, respectively. It served as a landmark for mariners ever since.

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    From 4th to 3rd century BC, the rock was a place for Iberian settlement as it proved to be an outstanding strategic place to observe the shores of the surrounding areas and spot approaching pirates. But as technology advanced, the attacks from the sea became unbearable. Villagers had to move deeper into the land, somewhere where the modern Calp is.

    For more than a century, the area of Penon de Ifach has been privately owned and only in 1987 it was declared a public regional park after the Generalitat Valenciana Authority bought it.

    N-322 road to Penon de Ifach
    Getting to Calpe. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Getting to Penon de Ifach, Calp

    By bus

    Calp is connected to any major city around. ALSA buses come and go from Valencia, Denia, Altea, Benidorm, and Alicante every day. You can find more information here: https://www.busbud.com/en/bus-calpe/c/snb5c5

    By car – N-332 or AP-7 roads

    Like most other coastal cities in the region, the easiest way to reach Calp by N-332 road. The main problem with this road is traffic. The road goes through every town where it runs into the traffic lights, roundabouts and all the other stuff you can imagine to find in urban areas.

    Calp can be also reached by the Autopista del Mediterráneo, also known as AP-7, a tolled motorway running along the Mediterranean coast of Spain. If you approaching Calp from the South, exit AP-7  road to N-332 near Altea, or to Bonaire if you are coming from the North.

    Parking at the Natural Park of Penon de Ifach

    There are some parking spaces just next to the information center of the Natural Park of Penon de Ifach, but it seems to be closed. Instead use the parking down below, at the entrance to the park, or simply put the car anywhere in Calp and walk your way the information center of the Natural Park of Penon de Ifach, where the hike starts.

    Penon de Ifach Hike
    Calpe Rock near Mediterranean Sea. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Is it Hard to Hike to Penon de Ifach?

    The hike could be divided into two parts: the First one being really easy and recommended for everyone passing by; And the second should be attempted only by those who are fit, know what they are doing and have a good pair of hiking boots.

    The road quality, from the information center of the park to the rock, won’t change a bit. It is easy to walk and has plenty of places to take your breath and enjoy the amazing views. There are no steps just an uphill stone-grounded path.

    Penon de Ifach hike, road o the tunnel
    Road before the tunnel. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Both parts of the hike are separated by a tunnel, which gives you a good taste of what is ahead in a safe manner. You’ll get to taste how good are your shoes for slippery stones and how comfortable you are holding onto the chains. Please note that there is no light in the tunnel. If you are afraid of the dark, I am sorry, but if you are afraid of the heights, enjoy while you can. Once you reach the light at the end of the tunnel, the steep cliffs down to the ocean won’t leave your sight for a second. From here on, the road up to Penon de Ifach will turn into a tough challenge for any regular person without any major experience in rock hiking.

    Penon de Ifach Hike tunnel
    Walking through the tunnel. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    The Hard Part of the Hike

    The second half of the hike couldn’t be more different from the first one. Instead of a man-made path, the hike will continue on slippery rocks with some chains to hold on. The road is marked with red paint, but sometimes you should consider a safer option next to the main path. There are way fewer people after the tunnel on the road, but with time, the long-lasting rocks have seen a lot of them. The hikers had grinded the surface of the stone like it has spent most of its life in the ocean. The main tips for hiking to the top of Penon de Ifach goes as it follows:

    • High hiking shoes with a deep sole are really useful here;
    • Always look where to put your feet;
    • Enjoy the views only when standing still;
    • Leave enough time to climb down before it gets dark or take a headlight.
    • Where the road is narrow, let incoming people pass it first;
    • Don’t go alone.

    Penon de Ifach Difficult Road
    The tip of Calpe Rock. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    If you will continue walking with a hope that the road will get any easier – DON’T. The hike to the top of Penon de Ifach will remain challenging right up to the peak. And it won’t be a pleasant walk. You have to remain conscious of the high probability that any miss-step might result in bye-bye-your-life all the time.

     

    On top of Penon de Ifach Calp Spain
    Reaching the peak. Photo by Aiste [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    The Problem of Modern Selfie-photography Hiking

    I might be exaggerating a lot, but I’ve seen plenty of people on this hike who shouldn’t be there, and they didn’t look very happy. If you are one, I want to scare you away and save you some nerves. These days it is a common thing that people die trying to take a cool selfie or simply doing a hard hike trying to get to a beautiful vista. Some places are just simply not for everyone, but the motivation behind the possibility of rewarded attention on social media pushes some people beyond their capabilities. Personally, I enjoyed the hike a lot, I love climbing and hiking on rocks and it is really sad that after some misfortune incidents wonderful hikes like this gets closed.

    A man on top of Penon de Ifach
    Lone hiker. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Of course, the real tragedy is the loss of life which could be avoided if the people get informed correctly in front. Instead, there is not much official information to be found in English, which is substituted by some random comments on TripAdvisor. Something like “The hike was challenging but totally worth it”, could mean many things, one of them is that somebody after reading a comment like this won’t get home. Better safe than sorry, right? That is the reason for my description being so harsh. In short – be smart, take that Instagram selfie before the tunnel, and get back home in one piece.

    Penon de Ifach Instagram photo view
    The view from the top. Photo by Aiste [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
    Penon de Ifach vista from tunnel
    The view from the tunnel. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Facilities by Penon de Ifach

    This hike leads to the top of the rock 3xx meters above the sea level, which is next to it. Obviously, there is not much of a space for cafes or bathrooms. The last bathroom is at the start of a hike, in the information center of the Natural Park of Penon de Ifach.

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    There is a tap for water at the start of the hike, but I don’t recommend drinking from it. It is mainly to clean your hands after the walk, as you’ll definitely get your hands dirty during this one. If you are reading a guide for the hike, you’ll probably going to take at least 3 hours to complete it. Be sure to take your own water and snacks as the hike up will be exhausting and energy consuming.

    Climbing Penon de Ifach
    After climbing Penon de Ifach in Calpe. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Is it Worth to Visit Penon de Ifach?

    It is definitely worth to visit Penon de Ifach, but climbing it to the top is a totally different topic. The views are amazing and worth seeing, but you can see almost the same from the area just before the tunnel without any unnecessary misery. If you are going for beautiful views and shots, getting to the tunnel is enough for you. If you are interested in a difficult and dangerous hike with rewarding views at the end of it, take a shot. With some luck on a beautiful day, you might get even to see the Balearic Islands from the top of Penon de Ifach.

    Hiking Penon de Ifach
    Sunset in Natural Park of Penon de Ifach. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Personal Experience

    In Costa Blanca, one thing is for sure, you can hardly find any refuge from the noise and the crowds. Even in the off-season, late in the day, the hike was really crowded. Penon de Ifach literally stands out as an obvious thing to do if you are in a region. Many inexperienced hikers might misunderstand the challenge. Never-ever I heard so few “Thank you” when you let somebody coming from the opposing direction to cross a difficult part. Of course, I’m not complaining about the people being not polite, the problem here is a lack of understanding of the cooperation on a dangerous road.

    Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the hike, the views are amazing, and the road is very interesting. Attached chains will help you to keep safe, but the rocks are really easy to hold on as well. Rock climbing enthusiasts will be as pleased just as I was. Overall, if you’ll stay careful with the tourists wandering around, tolerate the birds who occupy the rock, you will appreciate what this unsung hike has to offer.

    Seagull on the top of Penon de Ifach
    Seagull on the top of Penon de Ifach. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

  • Visiting Batería de Castillitos on Cabo Tiñoso Cape near Cartagena, Spain

    Visiting Batería de Castillitos on Cabo Tiñoso Cape near Cartagena, Spain

    Sierra de La Muela, Cabo Tiñoso and Roldán Nature Reserve

    When it comes to Spain many things come to my mind… from Gaudi’s masterpieces in Barcelona to Corridas in Seville… to white beaches in Valencian coast… to Moorish scars in Andalusia… and many many more, there is much to be told about this country. Many songs have been sung and many stories have been written about Spain or it’s crown jewels. The region of Murcia is not one of them, and it doesn’t feel like they want it to be one.

    I tried to find any information of hiking trails in what is called Sierra de La Muela, Cabo Tiñoso and Roldán Nature Reserve, just next to Cartagena, a major city in the region of Murcia, I was unsatisfied with what I found. Except for some basic description of the park in English and some promises of endless trails, there was nothing to hang on. Of course, there is plenty of TripAdvisor subjective comments recorded throughout the years, and some hiking paths mapped by people themselves, but none of it give you trust-worthy information of what to expect. ‘A lack of facilities may differ a lot based on a person who wrote that a marked trail without any insight or photos might be just a random path, of which I’ve seen many without any wish to remember or share it with anybody.

    Sierra de La Muela, Cabo Tiñoso and Roldán Nature Reserve
    Just because there is no information it doesn’t mean there is nothing to see. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Mysterious Castle at a Tip of the World

    Once you enter “Sierra de La Muela, Cabo Tiñoso and Roldán Nature Reserve” to Google, all you get are these mysterious pictures of a castle with some rather modern cannons on it, without any significant explanation. But there is a story for everything, right?

    Batería de Castillitos disneyland-like fortifications, Cartagena
    The fortifications of Batería de Castillitos looks more like a castle from Disneyland rather than a military bulding. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Baterías de Castillitos and el Jorel Baterías on Cabo Tiñoso

    This interesting site is actually a defensive anti-navy gun battery base, which for some reason was built as it was a part of Disneyland rather than a military base. The site includes the Batería de Castillitos near the parking lot and the smaller Batería de el Jorel at the very tip of the cape. The batteries are built within 1,5km range and exploring the whole site can take quite a lot of time. There is even a possibility to hike down to a beach on the other side of the bay to Cartagena.

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    Even though it requires some better marketing and investment into infrastructure by the local authorities, today, Batería de Castillitos and el Jorel are slowly getting the attention it deserves.

    Batería de Castillitos on Cabo Tinoso, Cartagena
    The guns were abandoned by the military only in 1994 and the mysterious site was left behind alone ever after. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Baterías de Castillitos and el Jorel Details

    Batería er Jorel on Cabo Tinoso, Cartagena
    Baterías de Castillitos and el Jorel were invisible to those from the sea level. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    History of Baterías de Castillitos and el Jorel

    Built on a very tip of Cabo Tiñoso (Cape Tinoso), Batería de Castillitos is a powerful defense system built somewhere in-between 1926 and 1933 to protect the important port Cartagena ant its military arsenal. Built by the British, the deployed cannons were the best of the kind in the world at that time and prove to be more than effective. It was placed strategically on the top of Cape Tinoso in a way so it wouldn’t be seen from the sea level.

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    The cannons were used only once during the Spanish Civil War, in 1937 against Franco’s Nationalist fleet with devastating efficiency. Knowing its presence was more than enough to scare away the enemies. The guns were abandoned by the military only in 1994 and the mysterious site was left behind alone ever after.

     

    A man standing in the middle of Campillo de Adendrum, Cartagena
    There is one local restaurant in Campillo de Adentrum. Don’t expect a fine dining but it has more than anough to meet the basic needs. Photo by Aistė [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Getting to Batería de Castillitos, Cabo Tiñoso

    By bus

    Since there is no public transport going to Batería de Castillitos as late as 2020, you’ll either have to drive or walk there yourself.

    A road through Sierra de La Muela, Cabo Tiñoso and Roldán Nature Reserve
    The road leading to Batería de Castillitos is too extreme for buses. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    By car

    Sierra de La Muela, Cabo Tiñoso and Roldán Nature Reserve can be found in Murcia region between two major cities Cartagena and Mazarron, connected by AP-7, RM-332, and E-22 roads. Since the road to Batería de Castillitos can be reached only by RM-E23 road which is connected only to E-22, there is no point of using the different road to reach the park.

    RM-E23 road through Cabo Tinoso to Batería de Castillitos
    RM-E23 will keep you at the edge of your seat. The road is not recommended for inexperienced drivers. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    RM-E23 road to Batería de Castillitos

    And RM-E23 road is one of those roads which will keep you on the edge on your seat, but without a doubt, it will be very rewarding. The conditions of the road difficulty will build up slowly, so don’t get caught with your guard down. The first two kilometers will lead you through a beautiful green valley until the only town on the road, Campillo de Adentrum, and it won’t get much harder for another kilometer after you pass the town.

    RM-E23 road near cliff on Cabo Tinoso, Cartagena
    This road is not recommended for inexperienced drivers. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Once the road goes steeper, things can get a bit ugly. The roads are relatively narrow and there is not much space to pass by with the other cars. To make things worse, there are no mirrors on U-turns and it is not a common practice to use a machine signal before one. And don‘t forget that you are sharing the road with cyclists and hikers.

    Hiking to Batería de Castillitos on Cabo Tinoso, Cartagena
    Most of the hiking route to Batería de Castillitos will lead through RM-E23 road. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Hiking to Batería de Castillitos

    An alternative would be to park your car in Campillo de Adentrum and hike your way up for 8 km one way, which should take around two and a half hours. The hike might be demanding, and you’ll have to walk on the same road as you would go with a car, but at least you won’t have to worry about the difficulties passing each car.

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    Parking at Baterías de Castillitos and el Jorel on Cabo Tinoso, Cartagena
    One thing is for sure – there ar emore cars on Cabo Tinoso than this parking can fit. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Parking at Batería de Castillitos

    Even if you are a really experienced driver, the parking at Batería de Castillitos can drive you crazy. Be prepared for a couple of dozens of parking spots, located around a narrow gravel road, full of angry drivers, trying to do the same, with a very limited possibility to turn around. Most of the people just park their car on the left side of the road just before the parking lot.

    The military base on Cabo Tinoso, Cartagena
    The maze of the military base on Cabo Tiñoso. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    I would suggest either coming really early or a bit late, just before the sunset, to avoid the main crowds visiting the center. Another option would be parking your car on one a few vista parking spots 300-1,000m to the batteries and hike your way up.

    Panorama from Batería de Castillitos on Cabo Tinoso, Cartagena
    If park authorities going to implement either a bathroom or any other facility up here, please inform me at ctdots.eu@gmail.com Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Facilities at Batería de Castillitos

    Be advised that you won’t find either WC or café in the site so be sure to take your own snacks and water, or eat in Campillo de Adentro. If you have some spare time, my personal recommendation would be to go to a remote quiet resort town, La Azohia. It is located only 2.5 km from where E-22 connects to RM-E23 road and has plenty of places to eat or spend your evening.

    La Azohia - undiscovered resort town near Cartagena
    La Azohia is not only the main hub for hiking the park but has that surfer town feeling as well. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

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    Batería de Castillitos on the edge of Cabo Tiñoso, Cartagena
    After all said and done – visititing Cabo Tiñoso is well worth your time. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Is it worth to visit Batería de Castillitos?

    If you have the nerves to drive the road, and the patience for horrible parking experience, you won’t regret visiting Batería de Castillitos at Cabo Tiñoso. The distant views of Cartagena in the Mediterranean Sea alone are worth the visit, but you get to see some of those old-school huge cannons on a full scale and Disneyland-like fortifications as well.

    Batería de Castillitos towers on Cabo Tinoso, Cartagena
    Is there any other military instalment which looks like from Disneyland in the whole world? Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    Just be aware of a forecast. I would not suggest making this trip if the weather conditions are not suited for it. Avoid the rain and clouds, without the panorama the trip itself is just not worth all the struggle. Also, visiting Batería de Castillitos on Cabo Tiñoso during a bad weather might be dangerous.

    The beautiful view from Cabo Tinoso, Cartagena
    The view from Cabo Tiñoso is just priceless. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots

    My impressions of visiting Batería de Castillitos

    Despite the poorness of this forgotten region, Murcia has a lot to show off. If I sounded harsh describing my experience, it is just because I see so much potential, therefore, the lack of investment into tourism kind of upset me. With better marketing, Murcia can be described as a very interesting place to visit, the region definitely has beautiful nature, interesting cities, not to even mention the important role in Reconquista. Yeah, the reconquer of Iberian Peninsula by Christians from Islamic Moors, which was one of the precursors to the Renaissance of Europe. What I miss from the region of Murcia, is a bit of pride in their rich history. Take our money, build that infrastructure.

    Batería de Castillitos on Cabo Tinoso, Cartagena
    Visiting Baterías de Castillitos and el Jorel will leave very few people unsatisfied with what they saw. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots