Walking in Castell de Castells, Jalon Valley, Marina Alta

Walking in the Valley, Senija

For this walk you will need a route map

Grade of Difficulty: Medium
Total km: 4.2
Duration: 5 - 7 hours approx

Leave Senija along Calle del Santisimo Cristo ‘& turn left with Villa Tornall on your right. Take a dirt track on the left before reaching ‘Ermita’ (Chapel) then on the right a paved path known as ‘Cami dels Murtalets’ which leads to a rough pass between mountains similar to a hill.

We can then see dry stoned strips of land. Turn right into an irregular track; go past a deserted farmyard with a well on your left. Then we get to Les Bassetes with the cross on the top. The thicknesses of the stone walls in the plots sometimes are even thicker than the space itself left between them. When they were built the stone was piled up to prepare the land to be worked.

Follow the central stone wall leading to the path going down the hill which is diverged at the end. This path leads to the A7. Walk down to the right then turn left at the landmark that indicates left the cornice that leads to the entrance of a cave ‘Cova de la Garganta’. This cave so it is said was the shelter for a bandit called La Tona. Here he waited for traders to pass and ambush them. After you have visited the caves go back to the hill then walk along scrubland & rocks coming from a limestone mountain, known as ‘canchales’ Then we get to ‘Cami de Gorgos’ a paved path that sometimes is flanked by plots.

After a small climb we reach an asphalted lane that leads back to the village going through Villa Tornall.

Walking in the Valley, Parcent

For this walk you will need a route map

Grade of Difficulty: Medium
Duration: 5-7 hours approx

The route signalled in white and yellow as PRV 158, starts in the CV720 secondary road in front Carrer Nou there is a sign showing this PR.

The first stretch is along an asphalted road surrounded by country houses, which becomes a dirt road at the foot of the mountain. Follow the white and yellow PR signs as far as a footpath leading to ‘Coll de Rates’. This path is known as Cami de les Revoltes and it is considered as a real work of traditional engineering, with wide paved stretches used to take the production of currants to Denia’ s harbour which was mainly exported to the UK.

Next to the road near ‘Coll de Rates’ there is a board showing the villages, valleys and the relevant geographical features.

Go across this road then follow the PR signs again as far as ‘Coll de Rates’ where we find the long track leading to the top of ‘Serra del Carrascar’ of Parcent.

However, before reaching the top, we go past two sets of aerials in a forestry vigilance house. Following the mountain ridge, we get to ‘Mallada Plana’, a grazing land privileged by its views.

We walk on along the ridge and towards ‘Alts de Polupi’. At the end of this flat area we start the descent along a steep and narrow footpath, seeing Benigembla and Parcent at the bottom.

A few minutes later we find the ‘Pouet de la Mina de Ferro’ next to a dry pine tree, and go on down to the ‘Cova dels Coloms’, a cave which can be distinguished by the fig trees growing in its interior.

We walk back to the crossroad and after about 15 minutes; find the ‘Font de la Fola’, which is surrounded by pine and fir trees. We go down along a track which is in good condition. Then take a second track which is in poor condition, down to the road, we go across it and follow the signs to Parcent.

Walking in the Valley, Castells de Castells

For this walk you will need a route map

Grade of Difficulty: Low – Medium
Total kms: 7
Duration: 3 - 4 hours approx

Leaving from the small park in the Font de la Bota follow the white and yellow PR signs until you reach a camp site. Walk through the site through the pine and olive trees. The track here gets steeper and narrows. When you reach the fork take the right hand track ignore the pr signs on the left hand side. Descend through small plots of land through a small gully; the path is a little rugged here. Walk on to the second forest track which leads to the foot of the castle. Guadalest’s Valley and Aitana’s Massif can be viewed here.

Continue up the steep path to the castle which becomes more difficult as you reach the top. History and origins of the castle is vague. Now in ruins it is believed to have been built as a Muslim Castle to withstand the Christian Invasions. Parts of the walls and dungeons can still be seen. Built on a crag it stands 1000m high and allows amazing views of the surrounding area. There are also still marks to be seen left by soldiers and farmers during the war for their own survival or the greater glory of their lords. Follow the PRV 149 signs to descend to the starting point.

Walking in the Valley

Ermita de San Sebastian y ascensión a
la Penya Roja Murla

For this walk you will need a route map

Grade of Difficulty: Low then high
Total km: 2.3 km
Duration: 3 - 4 hours approx

Leave the town hall square and head to Benichembla to begin the ascent to the chapel, turning right at the end of the street. Along here although we are surrounded by houses and orchards through the cypresses, we can see at least fourteen chapels which follow the Stations of the Cross. Carry on along the path which leads us to Ermita de San Sebastian.

Ascent to `La Creu´ and The Penya Roja: is surrounded by deserted plots and scrubland walk up the path to the left between the chapel and a well. Turn right towards the cross,at this point there are great views of the valley with Murla at the bottom. Following the crest of the mountain the path has painted markers we arrive at Penya Roja. Carrying on, we are coming to the hardest part of the walk.

On the right is ´Vall de Laguar´ Fontilles hospital and on the left Benichembla with´ Cocoll´ at the top.

This last stretch is very steep and rocky. Walk to the left to begin the ascent to Penya Roja in a clockwise direction.

When we reach the top we find the remains of a Moorish fortification known as Castell de Pop. The views here are spectacular you can even see as far as Ibiza in a clear day.