Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Collection on arrival at Alicante airport . Drive to Quatretondeta . Pre dinner welcome glass of Cava , dinner served in our restaurant with fine Spanish wine carefully selected by ourselves. ( 1/2 bottle per person). Café served after dinner.
Day 2: Hidden Springs walk. Distance approx 12 kms, 150 metres of ascent, 350 metres of descent. After breakfast we take a short drive through the valley to the village of Facheca. From here we descend on the old trail to the village of Famorca. Watch out for orchids on route. Leaving Famorca we walk for a short distance on an old road before arriving at “ La Cova” a dramatic rock overhang were shepherds once used to shelter their sheep and goats. Leaving “La Cova” we pass an abandoned Moorish farmhouse and join the ancient mule trail that once connected the villages. The trail winds through stunning scenery passing a number of springs on route, eventually we descend from a high view point to the valley of the river Pop and the village of Castell de Castells. Packed lunch on this day. With an opportunity for refreshments at the end of the walk in a local bar. Return to Quatretondeta and dinner at Els Frares.
Day 3: Last of the Moors walk. Distance 16 kms, 200 mts ascent, 350 mts descent. A 15 min drive to the beginning of this walk. Walking on forestry track through undulating terrain we visit an abandoned Moorish farm settlement, pass through a small area of traditional Mediterranean Oak wood land, and visit a 16C Icehouse before arriving at the village for Alcalá for a traditional lunch of Arroz al Horno (a traditional rice dish) prepared for us by Rosa at the
local bar. After a relaxed lunch we walk a further 5 kms visiting the abandoned Moorish village of L’Atzuieta then on to a dramatic escarpment with views to the coast. We then follow a beautifully engineered Moorish mule path down the side of the escarpment before finishing our walk amongst the orange groves in the village of Benissiva. Back to Quatretondeta for dinner.
Day 4: Sierra Aitana. Distance 14kms , ascent 300 mts descent 300 mts. A drive of 30 minutes through beautiful scenery to the high pass of Tudons. From here we follow a forestry trail with excellent views over the entire region climbing steadily to a high view point below the peak of the Sierra Aitana . If the weather is clear we may be able to see as far as the island of Ibiza . We should find orchids and dawf daffodils on route. From here we descend towards the dramatic Moorish castle of Benifato. There is an optional climb up to the castle for the more adventurous. Packed lunch on this day.
Day 5: The route of the Moorish expulsions. Distance 12 kms ascent nil, descent 200 mts. A short drive to the village of Tollos. We then follow the route of the expulsions of 1610 walking on an ancient trail through the dramatic Malafi gorge. The opportunity to see Golden eagles on route. We will also visit a site of Rock paintings dating back 7000 years. Packed lunch.
Day 6: Cocentaina Town market. We visit the local market town of Cocentaina after breakfast. The chance is wander around town visit the market or wander around the ancient Moorish and Christian quarters of the town. You can also visit the local Natural History museum by prior arrangement along with the opportunity of sampling local wines . At about 1 pm we will meet at the Bar Insa where Edu and his family will have prepared a typical tapas lunch . After a relaxed lunch we will return to Quatretondeta . In the afternoon there is the option of a gentle walk through the Vall de Seta . Distance 7 kms.
Day 7: The Sierra de la Serrella. ( The mountain of the serrated edge) 13 kms ,400 mts ascent & 720 mts descent. Today we drive from Quatretondeta to the high pass of Ares on the south side of the
Sierra de la Serrella. From here we climb steadily on good forestry track to the peak of the Serrella at 1359 mts. Here we have 360º views of the entire region including on a fine day south to Alicante.
And north to Valencia. We descend from here retracing our steps a short distance to our picnic spot. After lunch we have a short climb to visit the “hole of Africa”. A limestone arch in the shape of Africa. Then our descent to the Quatretondeta begins following another ancient mule path then through pine woods before the final descent on broad track through the Almond and Olive groves to Quatretondeta.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
This holiday explores the history and culture of the region at a moderate pace. The holiday includes all meals and accommodation, including gourmet style meals in the evening accompanied by fine Spanish wines.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Spain
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Walking Tours
Hiking & Trekking
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