Hiking in the Moraira area. The best hiking trails

Hiking in the Moraira area. The best hiking trails

Hiking in the area

Although you may think primarily of a beach holiday, there are particularly suitable places for hiking in the Moraira area. Of course, the question is whether you want to, especially in the middle of summer. It can be an exhausting exercise. But at that time of year, consider a walk at sunrise, for example. It’s still cool then, and the views are spectacular. Hiking in the area around Moraira can actually be done in all seasons. Take a small backpack with a bit of wine and some olives, and you are guaranteed of a fantastic day.

Cap d ‘Or

Cap d’Or is famous for the little tower at the mountain peak, el Torre Vigia Cap d’Or. You can see it from all corners of Moraira; for that reason alone, it is an excellent idea to hike up to it. From the beach at El Portet, walk up steeply on the left or by car, turn right at the T-junction, turn left at the T-junction, and then left again at the next T-junction. The walk begins at the end of this street, about 20-30 minutes from this point to the little tower. The route is marked with green/white stripes. Halfway up the climb, you can make a slight descent to the Cova de Les Rates (not very spectacular caves). You walk through the protected nature reserve of the Cap d’Or. When you arrive at the (not accessible) little tower, you have a beautiful view of Benidorm, Calpe, the Ifach, and the port of Moraira. In clear weather, you can even clearly see Ibiza.Make sure you wear walking shoes. The path can be a bit steep, but it is also suitable for children.

From Moraira to Calpe

From Moraira to Calpe you walk close to the sea with here and there some (steep) stairs. Sometimes you are referred to the main road from Moraira to Calpe, the CV746. You must cross a stony beach or walk on pine needles several times. A considerable part of the route is a beautifully defined path with a wooden fence. It is best to start the route at the small beach of Baladrar. The route is marked with red/white stickers and is about 10 km long from this point to Calpe. You will pass several small beaches, benches, and even trim equipment along the way.

Of course, you don’t have to walk the whole route. It is also a good idea to walk a short distance to one of the beautiful, quiet beaches and spend some time there. Or do it in parts. Almost all of the small beaches on CV746 have parking lots. Another option is to walk there and take the bus back. Or the other way around, of course.

Ifach

Parque Natural de Penyal D’Ifach, or the Ifach for short, is the rock you can see rising high out of the sea from the wide surroundings. The start of the rock is hard to miss, and the first part of the route is easy to do. After the tunnel, it becomes steep, and good walking shoes are needed because the climbing and even a bit of scrambling begin here. A bottle of water is also a good idea. It is a tough climb and unsuitable for small children (the part after the tunnel is even prohibited for those under 16!), people without fitness, or people afraid of heights. You really walk through nature here, with accompanying fauna and flora. The view at the top is unparalleled and beautiful on the way. You can practically see the whole region. Getting there and back takes about 3 hours. So here also: in case of heat, start early!

Bernia

The Bernia Route is also a tough climb. Not suitable for children, people with poor conditions, or joint problems. The tunnel through the Bernia, about 20 metres long, must be taken partly on the knees. From Benissa, take the road to Jalon, the CV750. Before the Cepsa gas station, take a narrow street  on the left, the Camino Cementario. Take the CV749 left at the T-junction and continue for about 12 kilometers. 200 metres past the restaurants Bon Vent and Sierra Bernia (on the left), an information board about the Bernia Route is on the right. The route is marked with yellow/white stripes. If you can’t find them, keep looking; otherwise, you will go wrong. Take the left route.

After about two hours of continuous walking, you arrive at the tunnel Forat. You get out on the “Altea side”, and continue on the road towards the ruins of Fort Bernia. Breathtaking views are your portion here. Continuing west, you return to the starting point via a section of forest. The route takes about 4 hours at an average pace.