SiERRA DE AiTANA TREKKiNG WEEK
Spectacular ridge walks amidst limestone towers and rural landscapes of the Aitana Massif
- Location: Guadalest Valley
- Season: October - May
- Difficulty: Moderate / Challenging
- Group size: 6-14
- Duration: 8 days, 7 nights
- Activity: 5 Walking days, 1 free day
- Altitude: maximum 1558m, average 1100m
HiGHLiGHTS
- Enjoy stunning views over the sparkling Mediterranean
- Follow traditional footpaths through rugged mountain landscapes
- Make the most of the 300 days of sunshine found here on a late getaway
- Gain cultural insight from our local Spanish guide
TRiP PROFiLE
5 days of walking, plus free day. Maximum height 1550m. Average 1000m. Daily distance covered 18 kms. Average daily ascent 800 mts.
SEASON
From mid September to mid June, scheduled departures. Also special and private departures under request.
TECHNiCAL iNFO
In 5 walking days we summit 3 peaks: Serrella ( 1368m), Aitana (1558m) and Puig Campaña with an average of 1000 m. of ascent. Walks follow wide tracks, footpaths. Mule tracks but also and mainly, large sections or rocky terrain.
MEALS
7 Breakfasts, 5 packed lunches with seasonal fruit and 6 evening meals including wine and coffee. Every morning we prepare substantial sandwiches (our famous triple decker!) with brown bread and avocados, manchego cheese, local tomatoes or tuna and the seasonal produce that we have in every village. Always accompanied by fruits, local sweets or cereals and energy bars.Our local guide usually also provides some snacks such as pickled olives, chocolates and dried figs.
WHAT'S iNCLUDED?
- 7 night accommodation on share bedroom basis
- All evening meals(6), Breakfasts(6) and Packed Lunches(5)
- 5 Guided walking days, by local qualified leader
- Transport to and from the airport Alicante
- Travel and Public Liability Insurance
- Activities and cultural visits on the day off
- Maps, leaflets, documents
- Please for single room supplement, consult when booking.
WHAT'S NOT iNCLUDED?
- Travel insurance
- Visas & Vaccinations
- Single supplement
DETAiLLED PROGRAM
DAY 1
ARRiVAL iN BENiMANTELL
The tour starts at our pension in the little village of Benimantell, half way up on Guadalest Valley on the north face of the Aitana Massif. It can be time consuming to make your own way there so we recommend you coordinate your travel arrangements so that you can join the group transfer from Alicante Airport – please provide your travel details in advance. There will be a welcome briefing at the pension this evening.
iNCLUDED
DAY 2
WALK PENYA ROC
We make our way to Racó de Tovaines, where we access the spectacular limestone peaks and needles of Penya Roc and walk through El Salt up to Collado Papatxi. This area enchants people with its soaring towers and walls of rock all around. Early sunset rays will highlight the spine of the jagged Castellets Ridge that stretches down to Orxeta. We return through Pas del Comptador back to Benimantell.
- Total Km: 17 km
- Ascent/Descent: +750/ -750m
- Activity (hours): 7.30 h
iNCLUDED
DAY 3
WALK PENYA DE RASTRELL
From Benimantell we walk down to Guadalest water dam and climb on a track to Peña del Rastrell. From here, we make our way up Tossal Redó and Almedia above Callosad’en Sarria, where we are rewarded with breathtaking views of Altea Bay and Guadalest Valley. We then descend along the spine of Tossal Redó down through the old town of Callosa where we join the short transfer (approx. 25mins) back to Benimantell.
- Total Km: 13 km
- Ascent/Descent: +600/ -1000m
- Activity (hours): 6.30 h
iNCLUDED
DAY 4
SERRELLA PEAK
After a short transfer to Abdet, we begin by ascending to Pico Serrella (1,323m) and follow the western spine of Serrella to Mallada del Llop (1,361m). We usually stop for a picnic lunch here to take in the sweeping views of the Aitana Range, and even the Valencia Mountains on a clear day.
After lunch we begin our long descent on the spectacular and remote Barranc de la Canal Gorge, with its two parallel fins of upturned limestone strata leading to an abandoned farmhouse at Penyeta de la Hedra. Inititally the descent is a fairly steep gradient on a rocky/scree surface, which we zigzag down. During the last stretch, the gradient lessens and we enjoy pleasant views of terraced olive groves and centenary carob trees, which lead us to the village of Beniardá.
In Beniardá there’s time to visit the local olive oil factory, a small scale outfit producing award-winning olive oils. Afterwards we can either walk or be transferred back to our accommodation in Benimantell.
- Total Km: 15 km
- Ascent/Descent: +980/ -1100m
- Activity (hours): 8.00 h
iNCLUDED
DAY 5
FREE DAY
Today is a free day to relax or perhaps take the chance to head to the the beach at Villajoyosa or visit a chocolate factory.
iNCLUDED
DAY 6
SUMMiT PUiG CAMPANA
A fairly tough walk – the summit of the Puig Campana (1,410m) with 360º panoramic views! Almost all of the peaks and ridges traversed in the previous days may be seen. On the other side, the Mediterranean stretches to the horizon. We approach the north face of this mountain along good trails and paths, embarking on a gentle climb passing the Collao del Llamp to the Collao Pouet, the actual base of the mountain. From here, we climb a new footpath, which is steep and rocky, on the north face of this spectacular peak, returning to our vehicle from the Casa de Dios. Scrambling is required on some sections. (Occasionally the walks on days 6 and 7 may be reversed in which case the Aitana Peak walk will be done today).
- Total Km: 15 km
- Ascent/Descent: +1000/ -1000m
- Activity (hours): 7.00 h
iNCLUDED
DAY 7
SUMMiT AiTANA
From the pension we walk along the northern slopes up to the Font de Partagat and then scramble through Pas de la Rabosa, the only natural break on the Aitana, which gives access to the summit from this north side. We have lunch at the Simas limestone fissures, up to 90m deep, situated on a ridge near the summit of Aitana. It is an impressive geological formation and a perfect picnic spot. Weather permitting, it’s possible to climb the summit (optional). We then have another long descent today.
- Total Km: 18 km
- Ascent/Descent: +1100/ -1100m
- Activity (hours): 7.30 h
iNCLUDED
DAY 8
DEPARTURE
The tour ends in Benimantell after breakfast. Group transfer to Alicante airport.
iNCLUDED
SOME PiCTURES
