Hike Spain's Sierra de Aitana

Begin your adventure at our pension in Guadalest, halfway up the valley on the north face of the Aitana Massif. If you’d like to explore straight away, there is an optional self-guided walk around Guadalest. Our tour leader can provide you with the information needed. Around 6pm, say hola to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. This evening your tour leader ensures a big Spanish welcome over dinner. Want more time in Spain? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

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 surrounding rock walls. Early sunset rays highlight the spine of the jagged Castellets Ridge that stretches down to Orxeta. We return through Pas del Comptador back to Benimantell.

After a short transfer to Rincón del Olvido, we begin by ascending to pass El Contador (3,280ft/1,000m) and follow the western spine of the Serrella ridge to Mallada del Llop (4,465ft/1,361m). We usually stop for a picnic lunch here and explore Pla de la Casa, one of the biggest and best-preserved snow wells, in the Valencia region, while enjoying the sweeping views of the Aitana range, and even the Valencia Mountains on a clear day. After we begin our long descent, initially on a fairly steep gradient with a rocky/scree surface, which we zigzag down. During the last stretch, we follow a pleasant forest road and finish with a transfer back to our accommodation.

Embark on a fairly challenging walk to the summit of Puig Campana (4,626ft/1,410m) to enjoy 360-degree panoramas over peaks and ridges. We approach the north face of this mountain along good trails and paths, embarking on a gentle climb passing the Collao del Llamp to the Collao Pouet, the base of the mountain. From here, we climb a new footpath, which is technical and rocky, returning to our vehicle from the Casa de Dios. Scrambling is required on some sections.

Today is a free day to relax or perhaps head to the beach at Villajoyosa or visit a chocolate factory. Alternatively, take a tram to Altea and visit the old town and art galleries. This evening, our tour leader can organise a group dinner at a restaurant in Guadalest.

Begin at the reservoir, hiking along the newly restored traditional path of Solana de Gorgues, which in 2,295ft (700m) of ascent takes us to the Font Major. From here, we discover the high pastures of Foia Plana towards Morro Blau, a rocky prominence visible from many coastal points. We have our lunch close to a fire-lookout building, before descending along Peña del Rastrell to the reservoir.

From the pension, we walk along the northern slopes (on some departures, we may need to take a transfer for this section) up to the Font de Partagat and then scramble through Pas de la Rabosa, the only natural break in the Aitana, which gives access to the summit from this north side. We lunch at the Simas limestone fissures, which are up to 295ft (90m) deep, situated on a ridge near the summit of Aitana. It is an impressive geological formation and a perfect picnic spot. Weather permitting, it’s possible to climb the summit (optional). We then have another long descent to Penyo Mulero reaching Font del Moli in Benimantell.

The tour ends in Guadalest after breakfast and we begin our return journey home. If you’d like a little more time to explore Spain, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.