Alicante stands out among Spain’s provinces for its breathtaking natural landscapes. This is why residents and visitors alike explore some of the finest hiking trails the region has to offer. The recent pleasant weather makes these routes especially inviting. Are you planning a weekend stroll? Here are the best hiking trails in Alicante.
The Benissa Ecological Walk is a route famed for its stunning scenery.
1.- Ecological tour of Benissa, a route between cliffs and bay views
This coastal trail begins at the Les Bassetes yacht club and winds along the shore through several coves, weaving between rocky outcrops. Multiple access points along the way offer the option to shorten the walk if desired.
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The route rewards walkers with sweeping views of the Mediterranean. It is easy to navigate, making it suitable for families, including children. The 2.5-kilometer track includes steps, and walkers can complete it in about one to one and a half hours depending on pauses and pace. Information panels along the way explain the local flora and fauna, enriching the experience.
Shaded areas and benches dot the route, ideal for a rest or a quick bite halfway through.
2.- Walking route through the Cathedral Barranc de l’Infern
Marina Alta hosts several natural spaces where visitors can breathe clean air, pursue mountain sports, or simply soak up the dramatic scenery. Barranc de L’Infern, located in the Laguar Valley, stands out as a remarkable site.
This area, crossed by the Girona river, attracts hikers and climbers for its panoramic views and its imposing slopes, with natural slides that descend deep into the landscape.
The route is demanding and typically takes four to five hours to complete. It forms a circular path around the ravine and is known as the Cathedral of Walking due to its more than 6,800 stone steps of Moorish origin. Climbers should pace themselves and savor the ever-changing scenery as they ascend.
The most iconic spot is an inaccessible mountain pass framed by deep wells, rocks, and cliffs. At the canyon’s exit, river erosion has created a vast natural vault of enormous size. Ready to visit this landmark this December?
3.- The Road to Albir Lighthouse
This is one of the province’s most striking yet accessible routes, a calm stroll where sea meets mountain, from the Serra Gelada cliffs to the Albir Lighthouse.
The journey starts at Albir Beach, near the end of Paseo de las Estrellas. The ground bears the names of Spanish actors and directors honored at the town’s annual Film Festival, a nod to the local cultural charm. The trail to the lighthouse begins behind the municipality’s tourist office, within Alfaz del Pi.
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Along the ascent, a signposted fork offers two options: a more challenging route across mountain passes or a paved path historically used to reach the lighthouse.
Within a vast pine forest, an array of flora can be observed, including Aleppo pines, carob trees, and honeysuckle. The path provides viewpoints over Altea and its bay, highlighting the striking clash between inland mountains and the coast. Benches along the way invite rest and contemplation of the scenery.
As the trail continues, the Ocher Mines nearby recall ancient pigments used by Phoenicians and Romans. A cove called Cala de la Mina lies nearby, and further along a rocky entrance known as Boca de la Balena marks the approach to a cave reached via a bushy path.
Near the destination, high-altitude vistas abound. Inside the lighthouse, once restored, it now serves as a museum that reveals its history and operation. The tower, once called Bombarda, stands as a reminder of coastal defense against piracy.
4. The route through Peñón de Ifach
Peñón de Ifach is one of Alicante’s most recognizable rock formations. This massive limestone outcrop rises 332 meters above sea level, covering about 45 hectares within Penyal d’Ifac Natural Park in Marina Alta.
The ascent challenges climbers while offering spectacular panoramas. The route is about 2 kilometers round trip, typically taking one hour and forty-five minutes, with longer durations possible at a slower pace.
The ascent carries a cumulative elevation gain around 291 meters. The trail starts easy, with a section that is gentler, followed by a steeper climb from the tunnel onward, culminating near the geodesic peak. The final stretch is a steep ascent requiring steady footing.
Any time of year suits climbing Peñón, though wet or foggy days should be avoided. Spring and autumn bring abundant blooms and seabirds along the way.
5.- Banyeres mills route
Banyeres de Mariola sits high in the interior of Alicante, in the l’Alcoià region and part of the Sierra Mariola Natural Park. The town’s scenic value blends with its cultural heritage, centered on the Vinalopó River crossing and a landscape filled with aromatic and medicinal plants, along with historic fountains and old paper mills.
The Molins route highlights the town’s industrial past, guiding visitors through the three most emblematic paper mills. The natural environment invites exploration along multiple trails and reveals landscapes that rarely fail to amaze.
Among its attractions is Molí l’Ombria, the starting point for several paths including Ruta dels Molins and Ruta dels Miradors.
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