Discover whitewashed Moorish villages hidden away in the beautiful valleys and sierras of the Marina Baja on this spectacular trekking holiday.
This hotel to hotel trekking holiday takes you through four beautiful and unspoilt valleys of the Marina Baja, the, the Guadalest Valley, the Seta Valley, the Pop Valley and the Tàrbena Valley and includes ascents, with options to reach the peaks, of the Sierra de Aitana and the Sierra de Serrella.
The trek features whitewashed Moorish villages, excellent local cuisine, dramatic scenery, a variety of landscapes and the area’s intriguing history. Your luggage is transported from hotel to hotel so you can enjoy the walking and the scenery.
We have selected accommodation, small rural hotels and village inns, that matches the character of the trek and always offers something special, like traditional architecture, panoramic views or a roof terrace for a cool drink after your day’s trekking. Every evening the chefs will prepare you a dish typical of the local cuisine with a local or Spanish wine.
You can also extend your trek with an additional night or two along the way and do an extra circular walk or just relax for the day.
We will provide you with maps, route notes and a Garmin GPS for navigating so you can be sure of getting to your destination with no worries at all.
This trekking holiday is a great way to experience the Mediterranean way-of-life, get a first hand insight into the countryside, sample the outstanding local cuisine and enjoy the real peace and quiet of the Alicante mountains.
| How to get here. The nearest airport is at Alicante, we will meet you in the Arrivals Hall for the 60 minute transfer to the first hotel in Finestrat. Alternatively, you can fly to Valencia Airport, transfer to Valencia Nord railway station and then take the train to Xeraco where from we will transfer to the start of your trekking holiday . If you prefer to be met at Valencia there is a 50 € supplement for the transfer to your first hotel. There are also international high speed trains (AVE) from Paris to Alicante and Valencia via Barcelona. |
| When to visit. You can start and finish your trekking holiday any day of the week except Saturdays. We do not recommend late June, July or August unless you have experience of walking in high temperatures, otherwise any time from mid-September through to mid-June. Callosa is famous for its colourful Moors and Christians festival held every year from October 8th to the 12th so make sure your trekking holiday starts or finishes in Callosa during the festival week. Other notable times are mid February when good weather and the almond blossom make for a unique experience and May to catch the abundance of wildflower displays. Calendar highlights include the olive harvest in October - November, the almond blossom in February, the cherry blossom in late March - April, the cherry harvest in May, and the orange blossom and harvest from February to May. For botanists there is always something in flower but visit from late February to the end of May for orchids and wildflowers. |
 | Day 1. Meet at Alicante Airport Transfer to Finestrat where you can spend any free time exploring the old town. |
 | Day 2. Finestrat to Sella. You start by exploring the remarkable landscape between Finestrat and Sella. This area is characterised by a series of limestone ridges that form long calcareous spines that divide the area into separate valleys. Today you cross the southernmost of these ridges; the Monte Castellet ridge with outstanding views of Finestrat. 4 - 5 hours: 15.1 km; ascents: 760m; descents: 280m. |
 | Day 3. Sella to Guadalest Today’s route takes in the quiet wooded valleys of the north-eastern portion of the land between the Sierra de Aitana and Puig Campana. It includes a wonderful zig-zag as the footpath ascends a virtually vertical gully, the Goleró. Includes panoramic views over the whole Sella valley and of the adjoining Guadalest Valley as you cross over the pass at Pas del Comptador. 7 hours; 18.2 km: ascents: 800 m; descents: 660 m |
 | Day 4: Guadalest to Confrides. You explore Aitana, the highest mountain in Alicante Province and its numerous natural springs with an option to ascend to the summit and panoramic views of the Province, and to visit a Moorish Castle perched on a rocky peak. 5 hours; 13.2 km; 830m ascents; 840m descents. |
 | Day 5. Confrides to Facheca. Today you leave the Guadalest Valley and ascend the Sierra de Serrella to cross over into the adjacent Seta Valley. Features rugged Alpine scenery and an optional visit to the summit of Serrella to see the remains of an ice house and outstanding views of the surrounding mountains. 4½ hours: 12.2 km; 802m ascents; 791m descents. |
 | Day 6. Facheca to Castells de Castells. A fascinating day with lots to see along the way. Includes visits to a cave dwelling in use for thousands of years, natural springs, a medieval gypsum mill and some veteran olive trees thought to be 500 or 600 years old. Optional longer 6¼ hour and 18.2 km route that ascends Serrella and also includes visits to the main features. 13 km; 4¼ hours; 358m ascents; 601m descents |
 | Day 7. Castells de Castells to Tárbena. Today your trek takes you through a variety of quiet countryside and remote valleys with excursions to the rock arches and view of the Tarbena Valley. You will see the impressive Pas Tancat gorge and may even get a glimpse of the resident Golden Eagles. 6 hours; 21 km; 680m ascents; 696m descents. |
 | Day 8. Tarbena. If you have time before leaving then a short twenty minute hike up to the castle ruins affords an impressive 360º panorama of mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. |
The accommodation is in keeping with the character of the trek, small rural hotels and inns with personal service. All of the rooms are en-suite. Breakfast and supper are included and picnic lunches can be ordered for the following day, the cost of wine or other drinks is not included in menu.
 | Day 1. Finestrat. A simple casa rural in the historic village centre. English spoken. |
 | Day 2. Sella. Sella's steep and narrow streets defy all but the narrowest of vehicles. Your modernized accommodation sits at the top of the village and boasts outstanding views. English spoken. |
 | Day 3. Guadalest. Charming village casa rural with excellent and abundant cuisine. Take advantage of the quieter evenings to visit the nearby medieval Guadalest Castle. English not spoken. |
 | Day 4. Confrides. This family run hostel enjoys panoramic views out over the Guadalest Valley and from the bar you get a glimpse of village life in the mountains. English spoken. |
 | Day 5. Facheca. Charming casa rural in this quiet village. Your lovely hostess will make you feel as if you were at home. French spoken. |
 | Day 6. Castells de Castells. Comfortable and welcoming hotel with good views of the mountains, a busy restaurant and a spa- sauna (not included) English spoken. |
 | Day 7. Tàrbena. A traditional farmhouse now converted into a delightful casa rural, complete with art exibitions, fossil collection and posters of the endemic flora. Stay for an extra couple of days and discover the unique landscape around Tàrbena, HQ of the trek. English is spoken. |
| Moorish Villages Trek | 940.00€ | per person [Min two persons] | |
| Single person supp. | 180.00€ | per person [third person] | |
| Extra nights | 95.00€ | per person per night [Min two persons] | |
| Single traveller supp. | 185.00€ | per person |
There are currency exchange facilities and ATM cash machines at Alicante Airport and in Callosa, Benimantell, Castells de Castells and Tàrbena. There are shops in all of the villages, except Fageca, if you wish to buy ingredients or you can order picnic lunches from the hotels, just let them know when you arrive.
The Moors were the architects of this landscape, converting steep mountainsides into terraces, springs, footpaths and cobbled mule trails. You will also make ascents of two outstanding sierras, Aitana and Serrella, for panoramic views of both the Marina Alta and the Marina Baja. We have chosen routes using farm tracks, footpaths and mule trails that include some of the most interesting and characteristic features of the area. Road walking is generally limited to short stretches near to towns and villages. |
| Navigating is made easy with our Garmin handheld GPS to ensure you get to your destination on time, or download the routes onto your Smartphone or your own GPS if you prefer. Maps and explanatory notes to accompany the trek are also provided to so you know about the countryside you will be walking through. |
| We transfer your bags from hotel to hotel so you only need carry what you need for the day. From December to February you may encounter snow on the upper reaches of the Sierra de Aitana. You are unlikely to meet many other walkers as the area is still largely undiscovered. |
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The mountainous chain that separates the provinces of Alicante and Valencia was formed during the Alpine orogeny some 5 million years ago as the African and European continental plates collided.
This collision had two principal effects, firstly hard limestone sediments laid down on the seabed during the previous 250 million years were forced up out of the Mediterranean Sea and secondly, softer Triassic sediments were squeezed up through faults in the overlying hard limestone to split the prevailing north west-south east tectonic orientation.
These two fundamental processes have formed the spectacular mountains, valleys and gorges typical of this area. More
The result is a diversity of landscapes, vegetation and habitats difficult to equal. A huge range of habitats exists from mountaintops over 1500 m down to sea-level and provides a wide diversity of niches for plants and animals.
The Valencian Region is host to over 3000 plant species, of which more than 10% are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, the area covered by the trek is acknowledged as one of the most important in Europe for biodiversity.
The climate is typically Mediterranean with most rain falling during the winter months and temperatures at their highest in July and August. The wettest month is January with an average of six wet days.
Click on the image to see the full series. |