Moderate Itinerary

Our aim is to provide great walking at exactly the right level for all our guests. We therefore tailor every walking holiday to suit the guests for each week.

As over 80% of our guests are returnees it's also important that we provide a wide variety of walks so no one gets bored!

We provide a really personal service as it's only ourselves who lead, which means you have two experienced and knowledgeable leaders with a maximum of 10 in the group.

We now have over 30 different walks at the moderate level all of which take about 5 hours and average 12km. We show below 10 of the walks to whet your appetite.

 

Itinerary Examples at Moderate Level

El Somo Circuit – 12km, 325m Ascent, 5hrs. 

A walk winding between three inland gorges, each more spectacular than the last! Farm paths lead through Almond orchards over open ridges, with expansive views of the coast before we picnic in a ruined farmhouse below a castle high upon a ragged vertical peak. From here we wind past bright pink Velorium above a sunken chasm, and descend through Almond terraces perfumed with Camomile.

Caballo Verde & 2000 Steps  15 km, 975m Ascent, 5.5hrs. 

A ferocious battle between Moors and Christians – the last on mainland Spain during the Spanish Reconquest – took place on the Caballo Verde Ridge high above Parcent village in 1609. Today we follow a steady stepped trail cut centuries ago by Arab traders through almond terraces leading up to this ancient battlefield, marked by a lonely cross on the hillside. We picnic with views out to the distant Balearic Islands. After lunch we take a broad track around the top of the Barranco de Inferno, enjoying wonderful views of the gorge, before descending  a 1000 step mule trail, into the barranco, passing a 14 th century inn, before walking up the other side of the valley via another 1000 steps of mule track! Then it’s back down into the village for a well earned drink!

Coll de Rates – 13km, 650m Ascent, 5hrs.

We walk from the hotel door through the orange and almond groves into the Carrascal range, ascending the Barranco Negro and admiring the fantastic Almond Blossom in February. Look out for Jonquils - perfect tiny daffodils- from January to March and Orchids from March to May while Thyme and Rosemary always line our mountain paths almost to the summit from where we have views over the surrounding sierras. Upon returning to the village look out for Pilota players in the late afternoon thrashing a ball to and fro along the Main Street.

Smugglers’ Cove – 7km, 225m Ascent, 4hrs. 

Many coves and beaches were well used as smuggling depots in olden days. Our route winds down a rocky track filled with Lavender and Wild Fig to a stunning turquoise bay, where the surrounding cliffs are honeycombed with illicit storage caves connected by mule tracks. We ascend to a superb seaside trail leading below soaring cliffs before returning to the beautiful town of Moraira for a swim, a stroll or a coffee watching the world go by.

Bernia  Circuit – 11km, 725m Ascent, 4.5hrs. 

Few walks offer as many high impact views as today’s circular route around the 1200m high Bernia Ridge near the coast. A steady ascent leads to an amazing natural cave – after ducking through it (just 15m) fabulous coastal views stay with us to our picnic spot – a ruined 16th Century Moorish fortress! After exploring the extensive ruins we pass over a saddle to Echo Gorge and follow a breathtaking traverse to the sound of cicadas and skittering lizards, before an easy descent back to our starting point.

Foyes Valley 13km 470m Ascent - 5hrs

We make our way from the village of Castell de Castell along the picturesque Barranc de les Foies and up to La Llacuna. The views are beautiful and there is a short riverbed section for interest. Lots of lovely wild flowers abound the path. With great vistas of Alfaro and the Serrella Ridge it’s a walk of wonderful contrasts. The final section includes a descent along a beautiful Mozarabic trail back to Castell de Castell

Caballo Verde Ridge and Dos Fuentes 14km 625m Ascent 6hrs

Starting from the village of Benimaurell, we wind our way up an old Mozarabic trail to the lower end of the ridge. Three short scrambles lead to a undulating ridgeway with wonderful 360 degree views. We continue for approximately 4km until starting our descent through a pine forest and then have the chance to look up at the cross, erected in memory of the last ferocious battle between the Moors and Christians back in 1609. After a well earned lunch we descend along an ancient trail passing two old wells and water features. Amazing scenery with distant views of the Almadich valley as the trail leads upwards to Coll de Gaga.We then follow a narrow Mozarabic trail littered with orchids in Spring leading back down into the village

Cocoll via Barranco de Bous  14km 675m Ascent 5.5hrs

Walking from the village of Benigembla we follow an ancient track up the Barranco de Bous (where the bulls used to roam) rewarded with fine views of the Caballo Verde. The track continues to the Mirador where the fabulous Almadich Valley comes into view. A steep ascent on rocky tracks takes us up to the airfield at Cocoll where the fire fighting water bombers refuel!    We lunch in this elevated position with amazing views down to the sea before retracing our steps and then heading south to wind our way through woodland, passing an old L’Era (threshing floor) and flour mill until eventually reaching a wider track which takes us back to our start point. Beautiful views towards the coast throughout.

Castell Granadella Circuit 9km 450m Ascent - 4.5hrs

The walk starts close to Moraira at an elevation of 190 meters with a pleasant flat track before descending on a stony trail to reach the beach of Cala Granadella. A stiff uphill walk is rewarded by a beautiful coastal path to the ruins of Castell Granadella. The ruins of this horseshoe shaped building, which was once part of the Valencia Costal defence, date back to 1739. It was destroyed by the English during the Napoleonic war. From the Castell there is another steep climb (with lovely wild flowers in spring) to the Mirador de Llevant. A stop to admire the views is followed by an easy track walk back to the start. The costal path is a little exposed in places but a couple of chains have been placed to aid the walker. 

Bernia East Circuit 14km 650m Ascent 5.5 hrs

Starting at the Bernia Inn we climb gently anti-clockwise up a broad track admiring the stunning Spring flowers on the way. We then reach  “Echo Valley” with stunning views to the mountains and carry on to the ruins of the 16th Century Fort. There we are greeted with stunning coastal views as we follow a rocky track until descending a pathway which leads us down to a pine forest. We can then enjoy easy walking on forestry tracks whilst still enjoying views to the sea, until we start a stiff ascent up a narrow track which meanders up to the base of the East Ridge. We lunch on the ridge enjoying amazing views to Calpe Rock and beyond, before following a rocky pathway on the other side of the Bernia leading to a further woodland section before passing an ancient Font (wash house) on the return journey. We finish with a well earned drink at the Bernia Inn!