Walking tour around Valencia & visit to Madrid and Barcelona

Day 01

Arrive Madrid. Half day site seeing

Day 02

Full day Madrid

Day 03

Train to Valencia – half day tour

Day 04

Morning Valencia site seeing and then bus to the base camp.

Welcome to your hotel for stay.

Day 05

Today both walks begin at the hotel and follow circular routes to give us a fantastic introduction to the walking programme.

Option 1 – Vall de Laguar Circuit

Distance: 5 miles (8km)

Total ascent: 900 feet (270m)

In summary: From the hotel we walk downhill through the village before joining a quiet road leading us to the village of Fleix. Enjoying great views and the variety of vegetation and tranquility of the valley we arrive at the largest of the 3 villages Campell. Here there may be the chance of refreshments before ascending to our final section traversing through almond and olive groves leading us back to Benimaurell and the hotel.

Highlight: Visit the villages of the Vall De Laguar and enjoy the peace and tranquility of this remote area.

Day 06

Walking from Liber, enjoy walks in the surrounding hills, through cultivated farmland and cross barrancs/dry river beds.

Castell d’Aixa

Distance: 8½ miles (14km)

Total ascent: 1,600 feet (480m)

In summary: Using the same coach outward to Lliber the objective today is the summit of Castell d Axia. Leaving the village we head for the hills and soon start our ascent on a well graded path. As the vegetation becomes more sparse the views of the mountains open up. Continuing fairly steeply the summit is soon in our sights. From the top there are superb panoramic views. Having taken in the views our descent begins with a long undulating traverse on the wide ridge of the Muntanya Gran. Our final objective of the day being the town of Pedreguer where we will meet our coach for the return to Benimaurell.

Highlight: Ascent to the mountain summit and traverse of the wide ridge of the Muntanya Gran.

Day 07

Today’s walks from the hotel enjoy views from Benimaurell down towards the sea as we make our way to Col de Garga.

Option 1 – Coll de Garga traverse

Distance: 5 miles (8km)

Total ascent: 1,300 feet (390m)

In summary: A circular walk using a mix of rough paths, tracks and quiet roads traversing the slopes of Penya Alt to Col de Garga and returning to Benimaurell. Our route takes us through the village heading towards the ridge of Cavall Verde. Leaving the route to the ridge we join a mountain path traversing under the main ridge and taking us west towards Col De Garga. At a low point in the ridge our route takes us to the far side of the Cavall Verde offering superb views into the valley hidden from the view at the hotel by the mountains. Continuing to Col De Garga there may be the opportunity for refreshments before returning to Benimaurell and the hotel on a quiet country road.

Highlight: A traverse high above the village with great views into the valley behind Cavall Verde.

Option 2 – Cavall Verde Ridge

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Total ascent: 1,400 feet (420m)

In summary: The ridge is in constant view from the hotel and considered one of the highlights of the local mountain walks. From the village we initially follow a concrete track before joining a steep mountain path leading to the ridge proper. Now our route turns west as we experience a fantastic traverse with great views in all directions. Descending from the ridge we’ll call at Col DE Garga where there may be the chance of refreshments. From here we make our way to the traverse used earlier by the E party and wind our way back to the hotel.

Highlight: A visit to a spectacular mountain ridge with views from the top, down to the village of Benimaurell and across to the sea.

Day 08

Each week there is a free day when no guided walks are offered. Your free day is an ideal opportunity to explore the local area or relax around the hotel pool.

Denia Port with castle hill Alicante province Spain.

Day 09

Enjoy the green valleys and mountain views surrounding the peaceful village of Parcent.

Option 1 – Parcent to Murla

Distance: 6½ miles (10½km)

Total ascent: 1,100 feet (330m)

In summary: Today, our walk is a circular route through interesting and varied countryside. Arriving on the outskirts of Murla we will stop to visit the picturesque Ermita De St Sebastia. Returning to Murla, where there is an ancient and historical Fortified Church. On route we will have views of the surrounding mountains including Cavall Verde. An interesting and unusual sight is the wall of the old Leprosy hospital built to keep patients inside the hospital boundary and to reassure the locals. Arriving back in Parcent we will visit a local Tapa’s bar where we will take the opportunity to sample Tapas.

Highlight: Visit the old town of Murla with its ancient fortified church, sample tapas in a local bar.

Option 2 – Carascal de Parcent ridge

Distance: 7½ miles (12km)

Total ascent: 1,600 feet (480m)

In summary: Our route heads out past the Barranca Cabres and on upwards to join the ridge. Traversing the rugged ridge we pass a number of peaks before reaching the high point of the day. Continuing along the ridge to the restaurant at Col de Rates where there may be the chance of welcome refreshments. Leaving the Col we descend on a mix of paths and tracks to arrive in Parcent. In Parcent we will join the easier level group in a local Tapas bar where we will also take the opportunity to sample Tapas.

Highlight: Traverse the rugged ridge and follow ancient trading routes with views down to Parcent and the surrounding villages. sample tapas in a local bar.

Day 10

Visit the Barranc d Inferno referred to by the locals as their own Grand Canyon.

Option 1 – Barranc d’Tamaborino and Presa d’Isbert

Distance: 4½ miles (7km)

Total ascent: 1,300 feet (390m)

In summary: Our walk today starts on the outskirts of Campell and includes an interesting visit to the Leprosy hospital at Fortilles where there is a small information centre. After the visitor centre there is a short walk round the peaceful hospital grounds. On route we pass through a tunnel built to give access for the construction of the Presa de Isbert dam. The views coming out of the tunnel are great as we continue into the narrowest part of the gorge. The dam lies between the very narrow walls of the gorge and adds to the dramatic scenery. Leaving the dam we ascend out of the gorge taking a slightly different route to arrive in Campell where we can have refreshments whilst awaiting our coach back to the hotel.

 Highlight: A visit to the somewhat unique Leprosy hospital and a dramatic Barranc.

Option 2 – Barranc d’Inferno and the waves of stone

Distance: 9 miles (14½km)

Total ascent: 1,800 feet (540m)

In summary: The locals refer to Barranc d Inferno as their own Grand Canyon, perhaps not so grand but very impressive never the less. We walk from the hotel towards the nearby village of Fleix and just before the village we leave the quiet road starting our descent into the barranc. The steep zig zagging and stepped route is a fine example of the many Mozarabic trails in the area dating back centuries. Passing through a natural rock arch and finally arriving in the valley bottom we can admire the waves of stone formed by the river. We must now retrace our many steps back up to the road taking in different panoramas. Our route back to the hotel is via quiet roads and lanes.

Highlight: The spectacular Barranc d Inferno one of the special attractions of the area.

Day 11

Drive back to Valencia. Half day site seeing. Stay

Day 12

Take train to Barcelona. Half day site seeing.

Day 13

Full day site seeing

Day 14

To airport for return flight