FINESTRAT AREA. MONTE CASTELLET

This is a varied circular walk up to Portall de Lopez, the pass over the long jagged spine of rock forming Monte Castellet, and then down into pine woods clothing its northern slopes. Not very high but as it is in the center of a range of mountains curving from Puig Campana to Aitana there are excellent varied views. The total ascent is conveniently divided into several climbs. The start is an easy one along roads followed by a 285-meter main ascent to the pass and then several lesser climbs through the woods to end with an amble back to the start. After the pass lots of shade helps on hot sunny days.

DISTANCE 9.3km- WALKING TIME 3¼ hrs - ASCENT 585mtrs – GRADE Medium

Click here for map and directions.
Click here for GPS track
Click here for Google map to Font Moli

1 comment:

Dave Comins said...

An excellent route circumnavigating an unusual natural feature. We had seen the almost quarter circle of the Castellet ridge from a variety of viewpoints (Puig Campana, Aitana, Ponoig, Sanchet) and even flew over it on arriving at Alicante airport. Following these excellent instructions we walked around it.

Having followed the fence of Realet 41 to its end we managed to locate the green painted rock but 10m further along the road there are new cairns heading up a short steep ridge which we followed too far! However we could see the 'wire fence and tiny casita' mentioned in the description and cut across easily to rectify our mistake. The mule track to the Portell de Lopez was delightful, as was the track through the forest on the NW side of the ridge. We were not conscious of passing the Rock Knoll but made it easily to Collado de Sacarest where we ate lunch. Then down to the car along the route described. All in all the directions were clear and the route was splendid so thanks again for publishing the details. The timing was accurate too.