Sierra de Aitana Trek

KEY INFORMATION 

Seven nights in family-run accommodation

Group normally 4 to 14, plus local leader. Minimum age: 16

Altitude maximum: 5,112ft (1,558m); average: 3,609ft (1,100m)

Some rocky paths and steep ascents/descents

Location start: Guadalest

Location end: Guadalest

HIGHLIGHTS ❇️

❇️ Enjoy 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

Included ✅

✅ Accommodation

✅ All breakfasts, five lunches and six dinners (local wine with dinner)

✅ All transport and listed activities

✅ Standard transfers

✅ Guide - Tour leader

✅ Detailed Itinerary (upon booking confirmation)

Not Included ❌

❌ Flights (optional item)

❌ Travel Insurance (optional item)

❌ Solo traveller supplement (Where only one person is travelling on a departure date)

❌ Visas or vaccinations

⚠️ Optional items can be added to your travel upon your request

Onsite / Nearby ➡️

➡️ Rural/Coastal

➡️ Mountains

➡️ Beach

Itinerary

Day 1 Start Guadalest

The tour starts at our pension in Guadalest, halfway up the 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 to 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.After arrival at the airport we take a 60 minute private transfer to the hotel in Barlovento, our home for the first three nights. The local leader will give an evening briefing before dinner.

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2 An enchanting walk passing the limestone needles of Penya Roc before walking through El Salt down to Collado Papatxi

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, an area of soaring towers and rock walls 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 Guadalest.

Total ascent: 2,520ft (768m); total descent: 2,520ft (768m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Walk up Peña del Rastrell for fantastic views over Guadalest Valley

From Guadalest, we walk down to a dam and climb on a track to Peña del Rastrell. From here, we head up Tossal Redó and Almedia above Callosad'en Sarria, where we are rewarded with 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 approximately 25-minute return transfer to Guadalest.

Total ascent: 1,969ft (600m); total descent: 3,320ft (1,012m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Climb Serrella Peak for vistas of the Aitana Range; descend via a magnificent gorge to Beniarda; visit an olive oil factory

After a short transfer to Abdet, we begin by ascending to Pico Serrella (4,341ft/1,323m) and follow the western spine of Serrella to Mallada del Llop (4,465/1,361m). 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. Initially, the descent is fairly steep on a rocky/scree surface, which we zigzag down. Scrambling is required on some sections. 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 olive oil factory, a small-scale outfit producing award-winning olive oils. After, we can either walk or be transferred back to our accommodation in Guadalest.

Total ascent: 3,202ft (976m); total descent: 3,609ft (1,100m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Free day; chance to visit Villajoyosa beach or a chocolate factory

Today is a free day to relax or perhaps head to the beach at Villajoyosa or visit a chocolate factory.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 Summit Puig Campana for panoramic views to the Costa Blanca and across the region

We embark on a fairly tough walk to the summit of Puig Campana (4,626ft/1,410m), where we enjoy 360-degree panoramas. Almost all the peaks and ridges we have 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 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 ascent: 3,264ft (995m); total descent: 3,264ft (995m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Spectacular walk along the dramatic Simas limestone fissures; option to scale Aitana Peak

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, which are up to 295ft (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.

Total ascent: 3,632ft (1,107m); total descent: 3,632ft (1,107m)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 End Guadalest

The tour ends in Guadalest after breakfast and we begin our return journey home. If you have not booked flights through Exodus but would like to join the group transfer back to Alicante Airport you must request this at the time of booking.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer Details

A private minibus is usually used for airport arrival and departure transfers. Depending on the group size, the short daily transfers and organised excursions will be either by nine-seater van or private vehicles. On occasions, your leader will need to make two journeys at the end of the walks so some members of the group may have to wait 20 minutes (or have another beer) to join the second transfer.Depending on the group size we will use a small or large minivan for the transfers.