Current as of: December 11, 2019 - 11:39 Valid for departures: From January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2021 Sierra de Aitana Trek Trip Notes Ways to Travel: Guided Group 8 Days Land only Trip Code: Destinations: Spain Min age: 16 TSA Moderate / Programs: Walking & Trekking Challenging Trip Overview Although close to the Costa Blanca, the dramatic massif of Sierra de Aitana has remained a secret from all but a few discerning visitors. We follow traditional footpaths and mule tracks, mostly along ridge lines, giving us spectacular panoramic vistas, and then descend to beautiful valleys with natural springs, fantastic limestone amphitheatres, and where castles dot distant hilltops. The rocky peaks and steep valleys which sweep down to the Mediterranean coast, benet from the privilege of a warm climate for over 300 days of the year, making it an ideal location for out-of-season walking. At a Glance 7 nights pension, all rooms en suite 5 days guided walking; 1 free day Group normally 4 to 14, plus local leader. Min age 16 yrs Altitude maximum 1558m, average 1100m Some rocky paths and steep ascents/descents Trip Highlights Enjoy stunning 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 Unique cultural activity on each departure (see Is This Trip for You? for more information) Is This Trip for You? This trip is Activity Level 4 (Moderate/Challenging) You should be condent in your physical condition and ability to deal with heights and difcult underfoot terrain. The walking routes are all fairly long (around 15-20km a day) and vary in duration from 7 to 8.5 hours per day (including stops). The trek is more on the challenging side - in ve days of walking we climb three summits, Serrella (1,361m), Puig Campana (1,410m) and Aitana (1,558m) with approx. 1,000m of ascent and descent on each of these days. The majority of the paths we follow are footpaths and mule tracks. Some sections are with a gentle gradient, while other sections follow quite steep rocky paths (sometimes with scree slopes) and there are some sustained ascents/descents. We also trek some cross-country terrain. This trip is for anyone condent in their health and tness. It is not recommended as a beginner's trek. It is suited for those who regularly hill walk and have put in some physical preparation beforehand. Sierra de Aitana is very rich in ora and fauna and along the walks we will see a great variety of birds and owers. Castles dot distant hilltops, and we visit springs and snow wells as well as having plenty of time to soak up village life. In the evenings the hosts of our characterful family-run village pension will make us feel right at home. Unique cultural activities - departure-speci c To celebrate the rich culture of the Sierra de Aitana, each departure of this tour will include one special activity that will vary depending on the season. Planned activities are below (subject to change due to poor weather or other factors). See the almond blossom - 9th February and 23rd February 2020 As spring arrives, take time to experience one of the most picturesque times of year as the almond trees blossom. A great time of year for keen photographers to visit the region. Paella cooking - 8th March, 22nd March, 13th September and 20th September 2020 For those interested in Spanish cuisine, enjoy a cookery demonstration followed by a delicious lunch of traditional Spanish paella. Get involved in the preparation of the dish or simply observe and enjoy - it's up to you. A vegetarian option will also be available. Orchid exploration - 29th March 2020 This departure is perfect for keen botanists. Time will be set aside to spot and photograph the many orchid varieties that can be found in the Sierra de Aitana. Loquat fruit picking and jam making - 12th April 2020 45% of Spain's loquat fruit production is centred in the Sierra de Aitana region. Collect the fruits from trees in the grounds of the hotel and at the guide's organic farm, then eat them fresh or make a jam/chutney to take home. Medicinal plants - 3rd May, 17th May and 31st May 2020 May and early June are the best time to nd white sage, thyme, rosemary and savory. With the guide's help, identify the herbs then collect and dry them. Herbal teas will be served during the week. Visit an olive oil producer - 27th September and 18th October 2020 On these departures, you will have the chance to visit an olive oil producer to learn about the different varieties, sample different types of olive oil and buy items from different producers. Wine tasting - 1st November and 22nd November 2020 Perfect for oenophiles, you will have the chance to learn about the different wines produced in Spain with two wine tasting sessions (one day for white wines and one day for red wines). Identify the distinct wine regions, varieties and processes, then enjoy the wines at dinner. Chocolate factory visit - 6th December 2020 Visit the nearby traditional chocolate-producing village of Villajoyosa. At a small, family-run chocolate factory, see the process of toasting almonds or cocoa, as well as the machinery used to create different textures and avours. A worker wil explain (with translation from your guide) about the different processes involved. Enjoy a chocolate tasting then have free time to explore the village and its many chocolate shops. Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition. Adult min age: 16 Min group size: 4 Max group size: 14 Itinerary Land Only Itinerary Day 1 Start Benimantell village. The tour starts at our pension in the little village of Benimantell, half way up on Guadalest 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 so that you can join the group transfer from Alicante Airport - please provide your travel details in advance. There will be a welcome brieng at the pension this evening. 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. This area enchants people with its soaring towers and walls of rock 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 Benimantell. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance covered: 17 km / 11 miles Altitude gain (m): 768 Altitude loss (m): 768 Activity (hours): 7.30 Day 3 Walk up Peña del Rastrell for fantastic views over Guadalest Valley. From Benimantell we walk down to Guadalest water dam and climb on a track to Peña del Rastrell. From here, we make our way up Tossal Redó and Almedia above Callosad'en Sarria, where we are rewarded with breathtaking 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 short transfer (approx. 25mins) back to Benimantell. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance covered: 13 km / 8 miles Altitude gain (m): 600 Altitude loss (m): 1012 Activity (hours): 6.5 Day 4 Climb Serrella Peak for vistas of the Aitana Range; descend via a magnicent gorge to Beniarda; visit a local olive oil factory. After a short transfer to Abdet, we begin by ascending to Pico Serrella (1,323m) and follow the western spine of Serrella to Mallada del Llop (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 ns of upturned limestone strata leading to an abandoned farmhouse at Penyeta de la Hedra. Inititally the descent is a fairly steep gradient 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 local olive oil factory, a small scale outt producing award-winning olive oils. Afterwards we can either walk or be transferred back to our accommodation in Benimantell. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance covered: 15 km / 9 miles Altitude gain (m): 976 Altitude loss (m): 1100 Activity (hours): 8.10 Day 5 Free day; chance to head to the beach at colourful Villajoyosa or visit a chocolate factory. Today is a free day to relax or perhaps take the chance to head to the the beach at Villajoyosa or visit a chocolate factory. Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Summit Puig Campana (1410m) for panoramic views to the Costa Blanca and across the region. A fairly tough walk to complete the week - the summit of the Puig Campana (1,410m) with 360º panoramic views! Almost all of the peaks and ridges traversed on the previous days may be seen.