| To combine sea and mountains has never been easier. With 300 metre cliffs and more than 5,600 hectares, the natural park of Sierra Helada, the first marine and terrestrial park of the Valencia region and rises majestically behind the Mediterranean.
The various organised routes will unlock the secrets of its coves, its fauna and flora, to visit the Albir lighthouse or head out to Punta del Cavallo.
For the more adventurous, the crossing of the Serra Gelada is perfect
for hiking, with a distance of 8 km and a duration of about 4 hours.
By the way! Do not forget your camera because the views are breathtaking!
¨Compared to North American ranges, another distinguishing trait of
Spain’s Costa Blanca Mountains is that civilization is always evident,
which enriches the hiking experience. Stone terraces and walls, ranging
from 1,000 to 6,000 years old, are everywhere. We often pass the ruins
of ancient, stone fincas (farmhouses) and walk through groves of olives
or almonds. Occasionally we skirt 20th century homes built in
traditional style, perched on promontories commanding telescope-worthy
views.
The Costa Blanca Mountains, as the name implies, rise sharply from
the shore. They’re on a blunt peninsula, about two hours’ drive south of
Valencia, inland from Denia and Benidorm. The latter is a characterless
mass of high-rise apartments and hotels that makes Las Vegas seem
charming. But if you can do what for most people is unthinkable—turn
your back on the sea, the sand, and all that cement—you’ll soon be
driving among vast citrus farms and through quaint villages.
In January, the tangerines, oranges, lemons and grapefruit are ripe.
Yes, we became fruit banditos. But in our defense, we were careful not
to prey on only one farmer. We stopped here and there, picking only
enough to fill our pockets. According to local custom, we spat seeds and
tossed peels out the windows while we drove. The fragrance of a fresh,
Spanish tangerine is sublime. The taste is euphoria inducing. And
flinging organic refuse feels liberating.
Winter, by the way, is the only time to hike here. In summer, the
40°C (104°F) heat makes hiking not just uncomfortable but muy peligroso
(very dangerous). In winter, you can expect daytime temperatures to
range from 6 to 22°C (43 to 72°F). Cloudy days are common, but rain is
scarce. This winter was Europe’s harshest in decades. Snowfall in Great
Britain was so heavy and widespread, on satellite maps the country
appeared solid white. Yet we hiked nearly every day in the Costa Blanca
Mountains. Twice we did it in shorts. Once we encountered a patina of
snow. Occasionally we were buffeted by strong, gusty winds. Mostly the
ground was dry underfoot, the weather agreeably warm.
Never are the Costa Blanca Mountains crowded, but in winter you’ll
feel they’re your private reserve. Usually we encountered no one. The
tranquility was glorious. On weekends and holidays, we shared the
popular trails with others: some locals, several expat Brits, a few
Germans or Dutch. We met one Canadian couple who’ve been coming here to
hike every winter for years. We were the second and third Canadians
they’d ever crossed paths with in the Costa Blanca Mountains.
Affordable accommodation is another winter advantage. Summer is when
Costa Blanca rentals are booked out and rates soar. Of course, the
closer you are to the water, the higher the price. Inland is undesirable
to most people but superior if you’re here to hike. You’ll be in or
near an authentic Spanish village, far from the crowds, traffic, and
commercial onslaught, and much closer to the trailheads. Keep elevation
in mind, however. You want to stay where the nights are not too chilly.
That means at or below about 200 m (656 ft).¨
http://www.hikingcamping.com/blog/tag/finestrat/
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