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Itinerary.
This is a seven night hotel to hotel trek. The first and last nights are spent in Callosa de En Sarria, market town and gateway to the inland Sierras of Aitana (1558m) Serrella (1379m) Aixortà (1218m) and Bernia (1129m)
This tour takes you through some of the most stunning scenery on the Costa Blanca along ancient footpaths, forestry tracks and quiet country roads. It includes stays in whitewashed mountain villages which date from the Moorish occupation of Spain. This area is little visited so you will be exploring mostly "uncharted" terrain.
Day 1: Transfer from the airport to Callosa de En Sarria where you can spend the rest of the day exploring the old town; narrow streets and houses built on Moorish foundations with views of the Mediterranean Sea
Day 2: Callosa to Benimantell, 13.9 km and 635m ascent. Today is an gentle walk of 4½ to 5 hours that takes you through irrigated terraces of oranges, lemons and loquats around Callosa and up into the olive, almond and pine groves of the surrounding hillsides. There are also views of the Sea in the distance as you get higher.
Day 3: Benimantell to Benifato, 14.4 km and 690m ascent. Walking time 5 to 6 hours. Today you will climb up onto the highest mountain range in the region, the 1558m Sierra Aitana. You will have an unrivalled view of the Costa Blanca. There is also a shorter 9 km and 650m route for those who prefer a more leisurely walk and a dip in the pool before the sun sets.
Day 4: Benifato to Confrides, 18.7 km and 760m ascent.
Walking time is 5½ to 6½ hours with an option for an extra +4 km. This walk takes you from east to west along the north face of the Aitana, passing several freshwater springs and three ice houses, large covered stone pits where winter snow was pressed into ice and stored until it was transported down to the villages in summer.
Day 5: Confrides to Castells de Castells, 18.7 km and 495m ascent.
Walking time is 5½ hours with a +6 km option for a detour to the castle. This walk takes you out of the Guadalest Valley, over Serrella and into the parallel Castells de Castells Valley. Your route is that of the ancient track which connected the two valleys, to get to today's destination by road entails a 20 km detour. You will have excellent views of the whole Guadalest Valley as you approach the pass.
Day 6: Castells de Castells to Tàrbena, 18.1 km and 520m ascent. Walking time is 5 hours with options for a 2 km detour to the rock arches and a +4 km detour to the site of an Iberian settlement. Today you travel through the quietest and most uninhabited part of your route into the hidden valleys of Garx and Bijauca, Moorish names that have persisted for more than 1000 years.
Day 7: Tàrbena to Callosa, 16.2 km and 280m ascent. Today is a relaxed day of mostly downhill walking that takes you through the olive, almond and pine groves of the Tàrbena Valley and into the semi-tropical Algar where you can visit the impressive Algar Falls, a series of natural pools and waterfalls, before finishing your circuit in Callosa where you started.
Day 8: Transfer to Alicante airport for your return journey home.
Please note that the above information given is for guidance only. Distances and ascents may vary from those published and we reserve the right to make any changes as and if necessary.
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