Discover the best hiking trails in the province of Alicante.
In this article you will know a careful selection of some of the best hiking trails in the province of Alicante.
Imposing mountains, vertiginous cliffs, enigmatic forests, deep ravines and mysterious caves… These are some of the surprises that await you along the way.
Because, contrary to what many people think, Alicante is one of the most mountainous regions of Spain and therefore a fantastic natural setting to practice this hobby that combines nature, culture and sport.
I am convinced that some of the routes will surprise you and you won’t be able to avoid exclaiming “It doesn’t look like Alicante”.
Will you join us to get to know these ten routes? Let’s start!
Alicante, much to discover
Alicante is a very mountainous region, with more than 50 peaks over a thousand meters high despite its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. Without a doubt, a paradise for lovers of hiking and mountains .
Countless routes, a great variety of landscapes and ecosystems . From wetlands rich in birdlife to majestic mountains, passing through impressive ravines, superb cliffs, coastal dunes and Mediterranean forests…
Given so many options, making a selection of only 10 routes may be somewhat daring… Therefore, if you are interested in making the most of the possibilities that Alicante has to offer for hiking, I encourage you to discover the
digital route guides
that LinkAlicante puts at your disposal.
Hiking in Alicante: 10 Essential Routes
1. Albir Lighthouse walk
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Distance: 5km
- Suitable for bicycle, pushchair and wheelchair
The Faro de l’Albir route is an ideal excursion to start hiking. It consists of a simple walk with magnificent views of the Bay of Altea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Sierra de Bèrnia. Located within the Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada, this accessible route can be traveled with a baby stroller, wheelchair and bicycle .
A round trip (5 kilometers in total) along a paved road that leads us to the end of Punta Bombarda, where the Lighthouse of l’Albir is located, which is also the Interpretation Center of the Natural Park. See all the details of this route below:
2. The Relleu Reservoir and its walkway
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 9km
- Advance reservation for access to the catwalk
Officially opened in February 2022, the Relleu Swamp Footbridge has aroused great expectation among residents and visitors, becoming one of the most popular hiking routes in Alicante. This vertiginous path suspended over the abyss is the highlight of a simple route that begins in the quiet inland town of Marina Baixa. We tell you how to get there, how to book your pass and all the details of the route in our article:
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3. Cova Tallada (Jávea)
- Difficulty: High
- Distance: 4 km
- Appointment required
The Cova Tallada is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating places in the province of Alicante. This ancient quarry of rough stone, where the rock was cut and extracted from the bowels of the earth, is today one of the major attractions of the Costa Blanca for people who love adventure. Reaching the Cova Tallada is not something within the reach of everyone: you must overcome a medium-high difficulty route, which includes a “climbing” step, or take a kayak route from Les Rotes, on the outskirts of Denia (although the cave is in Javea). I tell you all the details about this marvel in the article below:
4. Bèrnia Ridge loop trail & Forat
- Difficulty: Medium
- Distance: 8.5km
This is a more mountainous excursion, more difficult than the previous ones. Of course, this is one of the most complete and beautiful hiking routes in the province of Alicante. On the circular route we will discover a multitude of contrasts, from the shady north face to the luminous south face, open to the Mediterranean. You will cross the magical Forat , a natural tunnel and you will see the ruins of the Fort of Bernia (please, do not climb on them). Without a doubt, an excursion that we can describe as essential in Alicante.
Discover all the details below:
5. The source of the Vinalopó River
- Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 7km
- Partially suitable for off-road pushchairs
We return to the interior of the province. Near Banyeres de Mariola, although in Bocairent, we find the area of Font de la Coveta , considered the source of the River Vinalopó. A natural environment of great beauty in which we will enjoy walking the first meters of the river, following the course of the water through multiple pools and backwaters. Highly recommended to do with children , as it is a gentle walk.
6. Font Roja Natural Park (Alcoy)
- Difficulty: depending on the route, from Easy to Medium
- Partially suitable for off-road pushchairs
The Carrascar de la Font Roja Natural Park , in Alcoi, is one of the favorite destinations for hiking enthusiasts. Once at the visitor reception center, next to the sanctuary, we can choose to take one of the many hiking trails in the area. There are different difficulties, some suitable for children . I especially recommend the Senda de las Carboneras . And if the forces accompany, climb to the top of the Menejador, to enjoy its impressive views.
Discover our selection of routes in the Font Roja below:
7. The Rock of Ifach (Calpe)
- Difficulty: High / Easy (depending on route)
- Distance: 5km +300m. unevenness
- Requires Appointment
Again we return to the coast. We are going to visit one of the most iconic places on the Costa Blanca: the Penyal d’Ifac Natural Park , the oldest protected area in the province of Alicante, declared as such in 1987. This enormous calcareous mass of 332 meters high rises defiantly off the coast of Calpe (Calp), in the north of the province of Alicante. To ascend to its summit it is necessary to make a prior reservation , since access is limited to 300 people a day.
8. The Barranc de l’Infern, the “Cathedral of Hiking”
- Difficulty: Medium
- Physical demand: High
- Circular route, 14 km and +800m.
Known as the “Route of 6,000 Steps”. A classic among classics. Surely most of you have heard of this excursion, but I could not fail to include it in this selection of essentials. It is a physically demanding route, about 14 kilometers and 800 meters of elevation gain. You need to be used to walking in the mountains to be able to enjoy it. In spring you will find the Vall de Laguar especially beautiful, do not forget to visit it and admire its invaluable cultural legacy , protected by UNESCO: dry stone architecture.
9. The Serpis River Greenway
- Difficulty: depending on the distance we do
- Distance: 1 to 26km
- Suitable for all-terrain pushchairs
To the north of the province of Alicante, bordering on that of Valencia, we find the Vía Verde del Río Serpis. An old railway route enters the gorge sculpted by the river, at the foot of the Sierra de la Safor, giving rise to landscapes of great beauty , steeped in history. To lovers of two wheels, comment that you have the El Comtat BTT Center right there. It is also suitable for family use.
10. The Route of the 8 Villages of the Vall de Gallinera
- Difficulty: depending on the distance we do
- Distance: 1 to 30km
In the heart of the Alicante mountain we find the Vall de Gallinera . One of those magical places where, fortunately, time has not passed. If we talk about excursions, again we have a multitude of options: The Route of the 8 villages, the climb to the Penya Foradà, the Castell d’Alcalà… In addition, in spring, the valley experiences a unique and worthy event: the flowering of the cherry trees .
Practica Senderismo con Seguridad
Salir a la montaña, aunque sea a realizar rutas sencillas, implica una serie de riesgos que debemos conocer para tratar de minimizarlos al máximo.
RECOMENDACIONES
✓ Equípate adecuadamente: calzado de montaña, ropa de abrigo, botiquín, agua y comida suficiente, etc.
✓ Infórmate de la ruta a realizar: dificultad, desnivel, tipo de terreno, tiempo necesario, etc. Cuenta siempre con mapa en papel, track en tu smartphone o alguna forma para orientarte durante la ruta.
✓ Más recomendaciones aquí.
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