Sierra de Aitana Trek

Sierra de Aitana Trek

558 Views
8 Days From

$2128

$1980

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Although close to the Costa Blanca , the dramatic massif of Sierra de Aitana in Spain has remained a secret from all but a few discerning visitors. We follow traditional footpaths and mule tracks, mostly along ridge lines, for spectacular panoramas, and then descend to beautiful valleys with natural springs and limestone amphitheatres. The rocky peaks and steep valleys that sweep down to the Mediterranean coast benefit from a warm climate for more than 300 days a year, making this an ideal location for out-of-season walking. ...more ...less

Highlights

  • Enjoy views over the sparkling Mediterranean on each walking day

  • 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

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Start Guadalest

Location: Guadalest

Meals Included: Dinner

The tour starts at our pension in Guadalest, halfway up the 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 to join the group transfer from Alicante Airport – please provide your travel details in advance. There will be a welcome briefing at the pension this evening. ...more ...less

Day 2 : An enchanting walk passing the limestone needles of Penya Roc

Location: Benimantell

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 will highlight the spine of the jagged Castellets Ridge that stretches down to Orxeta. We return through Pas del Comptador back to Benimantell.

Day 3 : Walk up to reach Morro Blau; descend along Peña del Rastrell

Location: Morro Blau

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin our walking by starting at the reservoir along the newly restored traditional path of Solana de Gorgues which in 700 mts 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 point. We will have our lunch close to the fire lookout building, before descending along Peña del Rastrell back to the reservoir.

Day 4 : Climb Serrella Peak for vistas of the Aitana Range; descend via a magnificent gorge to Abdet.

Location: Valencia

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a short transfer to Abdet, we begin by ascending to Ombria La Pisa and then pass El Contador (3,280ft/1,000m) and follow the western spine of Serrella to Mallada del Llop (4,465/1,361m). We usually stop for a picnic lunch here and explore one of the biggest and best preserved snow wells in the region of Valencia while enjoying the sweeping views of the Aitana range, and even the Valencia Mountains on a clear day.



After lunch we begin our long descent. Initially 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 Abdet. Afterwards we transfer back to our accommodation.

Day 5 : Free day; chance to visit Villajoyosa beach or a chocolate factory

Location: Villajoyosa

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is a free day to relax or perhaps head to the beach at Villajoyosa or visit a chocolate factory. Your local leader will organise a group dinner at a restaurant in Guadalest

Day 6 : Summit Puig Campana for panoramic views to the Costa Blanca and across the region

Location: Puig Campana

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We embark on a fairly tough walk to the summit of Puig Campana (4,626ft/1,410m), where we enjoy 360-degree panoramas. Almost all the peaks and ridges we have traversed in the previous days may be seen. On the other side, the Mediterranean stretches to the horizon. 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 steep and rocky, on the north face of this spectacular peak, returning to our vehicle from the Casa de Dios. Scrambling is required on some sections. (Occasionally the walks on Days 6 and 7 may be reversed, in which case the Aitana Peak walk will be done today).

Day 7 : Spectacular walk along the dramatic Simas limestone fissures; option to scale Aitana Peak

Location: Aitana

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From the pension, we walk along the northern slopes up to the Font de Partagat and then scramble through Pas de la Rabosa, the only natural break on the Aitana, which gives access to the summit from this north side. We have 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.

Day 8 : End Guadalest

Location: Guadalest

Meals Included: Breakfast

The tour ends in Guadalest after breakfast and we begin our return journey home. If you have not booked flights through Exodus but would like to join the group transfer back to Alicante Airport you must request this at the time of booking.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, five lunches and six dinners (local wine with dinner)

  • All accommodation

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Visas and vaccinations

  • Single supplement

Food

All breakfasts, five lunches and six dinners (plus local wine with dinner, one bottle per three people) are included.



Breakfast: Continental style – local seasonal fruit, orange juice, different types of bread, cakes, cheese, ham, or bacon and eggs on request every day. Tea and coffee.



Lunch: Picnic lunches will usually consist of bread rolls (our famous whole wheat triple deckers) with cheese and salad/meat, fruit, muesli bars, biscuits or nuts, and a juice carton. Our local guide usually also provides some snacks such as pickled olives, chocolates and dried figs.



Evening meal: As the main meal of the day, we enjoy a large variety of local cuisine including espencat, minxos (small pancakes)  legume soups, roasted lamb, and  of  course  local paella . Most of the food is freshly prepared from locally grown seasonal produce, and the pension produce their own olive oil. A reasonable amount of local wine is provided with the evening meal but additional beverages are not included.



Mealtimes in Spain are later than in many other countries; dinner is usually between 8pm and 9.30pm.



Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets are well catered for given prior notice, and most other dietary requirements can also be accommodated if you let us know in advance (at the time of booking). Please note we cant guarantee any dietary requests made on arrival.



Please note, should flights change to arrive earlier, or depart later, additional meals are not included. Please also note that no refund will be given for meals not taken or taken other than where designated.
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Accommodation

We stay at Rincon de Pepe, a two-star hostel in the heart of Benimantell in the Guadalest Valley, approximately 40mi (60km) from Alicante and away from the crowded Costa Blanca. It is ideally situated for our adventure, minimising transfer times for our walks and offering views over the Mediterranean.


>It has only eight rooms, which all offer sea views and the opportunity to enjoy a sunrise every morning. In the restaurant, there is a fireplace, which is used by the tour leader on the final night to prepare a paella (accompanied by a local vermouth) to end the hiking week. In winter, it also serves as an improvised barbecue to grill sausages or vegetables for dinner.



Additionally, the staff at Rincon de Pepe produce olive oil from the many olive trees surrounding the property; during the winter season, there will be oranges with which you can make your own freshly squeezed orange juice at breakfast. Local bottled wine is included for all five evening meals or soft drinks/beers.



There is also a back terrace/entrance, used only by our groups, which provides direct access to a private meeting room. This entrance also includes a small area where we can leave boots, walking poles and any wet walking gear.



Amenities



Restaurant serving traditional dishes using local ingredients

Outside terrace area

Wet gear room and clothes dryer

Living room area with comfortable seating

24-hour tea/coffee facilities, books and card games



Worth knowing



Single supplements (on request) are limited and are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
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Check out our Q&As

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    International flights are not included with this tour.

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes, our local guides are English speaking.

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.

  • Who is Exodus Travels?

    At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

SIERRA DE AITANA TREK

Fantastic walking with stunning views.  The beauty of this region exceeded my expectation.  And, then there was a fun group and a great guide and his humongous sandwiches.  Very enjoyable! 

Fantastic walking week.

We walked in the Alicante mountains, it was inspiring and awesome.

Sierra de Aitana

Great walking - shame about the rain and snow (in April!) but the guides made the right decision about curtailing and altering walks where the climbs would have been dangerous in wet weather. If you want to get away from it all this is the place to be. Most days we saw no one else walking. This is an unexplored area of Spain. ...more ...less

Fantastic week

Definitely recommend this trip and here are ten reasons why you should book. 1. Guide (Jose) is really experienced, local expert, gets the balance of empathy/support and also (when required) makes difficult decisions in the best interests of the group e.g. it was too icy to reach the summit of Puig Campana and whilst that was disappointing it was the right decision (it had snowed on the Sunday we arrived - very unusual for the area). He is passionate about his job and clearly loves what he does 2. It is one of the most beautiful, scenic areas I have ever been to. Fabulous views 3. Lovely hotel, welcoming team, great breakfasts - thanks Raquel and Pepe. Tea/coffee/snacks available in room reserved for the group. Also there is a hairdryer there so no need to pack your own 4. Weather was fantastic (I’m just back). Clearly you can never guarantee the sun in Jan/Feb but it made for a perfect winter getaway 5. Good to have a free day to explore the local area. Great to chill out at the beach and test out the tram system 6. Most of the walks are straight out the front door - or a 5/10 minute bus ride away 7. You get full days of walking….be prepared for that as realise that might not be what everyone wants. Generally back by 5/6pm after leaving at 9am 8. Great mix of terrain, ascents, descents, summits, valleys etc. 9. Get to see the beautiful mountain villages 10. Fabulous paella on the last night….and lovely sandwiches each day (along with fruit and snacks). PS Read the trip notes in full. They are accurate and this is for experienced and confident walkers - see the section ‘is this trip for you?’ ...more ...less

An inspiring week in a wonderful part of the world

The Aitana mountains offer a fantastic experience for trekkers, with challenging, rugged landscapes, breath taking views and a real sense of place and history. The air is pure, the people are warm, the food is glorious.

SIERRA DE AITANA TREK

A strenuous but very rewarding week of hiking led by an enthusiastic local guide. Good food and comfortable accomodation.

SIERRA DE AITANA TREK

Great holiday. Came home completely relaxed and feeling fit. Good solid challenging (for me) walks meant every day felt like an achievement. And the food was fantastic.

SIERRA DE AITANA TREK

This was a challenging B Grade trek, which ensured a great feeling of achievement each day.  The accommodation was lovely and the food was amazing!

SIERRA DE AITANA TREK

The area is an attractive place to walk but certainly graded as moderate to difficult would be more appropriate as many areas were challenging, especially the scrambling (I personally enjoyed that but others in our group did not).

SIERRA DE AITANA TREK

A great winter sunshine destination for some energetic hiking in the limestone mountains of the Costa Blanca, with an excellent Spanish local guide and fellow like minded friendly companions.

Read all 127 reviews

1 Select your preferred date

Sunday - Sunday

Apr 13, 2025 - Apr 20, 2025
$2130 (USD)

Sunday - Sunday

Apr 27, 2025 - May 04, 2025
$2128 $1980 (USD)

Operator discount: -$148 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

Sierra de Aitana Trek

8 Days Starting and ending in Guadalest

Visiting: Guadalest, Benimantell, Morro Blau, Valencia, Villajoyosa, Puig Campana, Aitana

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

TSA

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 13

Physical rating:

Moderate & Challenging

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Hiking, Sightseeing

From: $2128 $1980 (USD) Operator discount: -$148

NB: Prices correct on 01-Apr-2025 but subject to change.