Jalon - Serra de Besa Circuit

An easy walk with one main ascent. The  ascent  reaches the ridge of Serra de Besa. Except for the short distance at beginning on  track, the rest of the walk is all on excellent path greatly improved in 2019.

Walk can be lengthened by starting in Jalon - Just follow map.

 DISTANCE 8.0Km - WALKING TIME 2  hrs – ASCENT 250 Mtrs. - GRADE  E

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Fontilles Orba Castle Circuit

A moderate/ strenuous  walk mainly on good tracks and paths with one unavoidable steep scramble. Not all the paths are well marked so some path finding skills are necessary. The route takes us around the interesting Fontilles leper colony, founded in 1902. This is a peaceful, spiritual place that warrants a separate visit. There is an information centre on the grounds.

The first scramble takes us up the little tossal north of the Fontilles centre. The climb rewards us with spectacular views of the colony buildings and the impressive wall that encloses them.

The longer version (14km. 700Mtrs) includes trap to Campell and climb to Orba castle. Decisions as to which version to take can be taken en route. The shortest route is 9.8Km.

Murla-Campell-Fontilles-Orba Castle-Murla : 14Km.  700Mtrs

Sports centre-Campell-Fontilles-Orba Castle-Sports centre: 13.5Km. 680Mtr

Murla-Fontilles-Murla : 10.2Km.  420Mtrs

Sports centre-Fontilles-Sports centre:  9.8Km.  410Mtrs.  

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Google map to Sports Centre
Google map to Murla parking lot

GPS TRACKS  

Fontilles Orba Castle from Sports Centre   

Fontilles Orba Castle from Murla          

Campell Fontilles Orba Castle from Sports Centre

Campell Fontilles Orba Castle from Murla

PINOS BERNIA CIRCUIT (FOR GPS USERS ONLY)

This walk would be a little difficult to describe in detail so we have decided to only show map
and the GPS track for use by those who use a GPS.
This 13.5Km.   460Mtr. Walk is not difficult, no scrambles, but very much worth the walk.
It starts by wandering down to a dry riverbed, up a few rather rough paths to the Bernia circuit
path, over to the Bernia campground, then back to Pinos over mainly good paths but ending
with a bit of rough (new) paths.

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TOSSAL GRAN CIRCUIT FROM LLIBER

DON'T be mislead by short length of walk. It starts with a flat kilometer warm-up but once
 the ascent begins the going gets tough. The rewards are splendid views of the Jalon valley 
on the way up and  panoramic views of surrounding mountains from the Tossal summit.

This is a good walk to test  map and directions reading skills. The scrambles do have a bit 
of exposure but are quite simple for experienced walkers.

Due to a herd of bulls frequently creating new paths, the correct path to go from G to H  on the map may change. 



DISTANCE 7.4 km. -  WALKING TIME 2 1/2  hrs. - ASCENT  430mtrs. GRADE M Scr

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FONTILLES CIRCUIT FROM MURLA

A moderate walk mainly on good tracks and paths with one unavoidable steep scramble. Not all the paths are well marked so some path finding skills are necessary. The route takes us around the interesting Fontilles leper colony, founded in 1902. This is a peaceful, spiritual place that warrants a separate visit. There is an information centre on the grounds.

The steep unavoidable scramble (with good foot and hand holds) takes us up the little tossal north of the Fontilles centre. The climb rewards us with spectacular views of the colony buildings and the impressive wall that encloses them. 

WALK SPECS: DISTANCE 10.2 km. -  WALKING TIME 3  hrs.  ASCENT 420mtrs. GRADE M Scr.

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JALON - Serra de Besa - Penya Talai - Coll de Rates Circuit

A moderate walk with two main ascents. The second, more difficult of the two, can be avoided by taking the indicated short cut making an easy version. The walk across the ridge first offers fine views of the cultivated Jalon area and then the beautiful secluded area of Les Murtes. The second ascent follows the Barranc Murtes to a small delightful hidden valley.

The ascent of Talai (optional)  is a new path (2014) and therefore rough, but worth the climb. Then on to the Coll de Rates. The descent from Coll de Rates is via the Camiano de Xalo a Tarbena. In days gone by this was a major route but nature has taken its course and now looks more like a path. We leave it in favour of a very nice path below the ridge of Serra de Besa back to the start.

STATS: DISTANCE 13Km WALKING TIME 41/2 hrs ASCENT 730 mtrs GRADE  S

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Carrascal de Parcent Ridge Circuit

Good walk on well marked good paths starting with a 2 hour uphill, nice ridge walk,

descent to Coll de Rates where an excellent strudel can be had at restaurant at col,
followed by downhill paths back to Parcent.





DISTANCE 14.5km. - WALK TIME  4hrs. - ASCENT  863 Mtrs. - Grade  Meduim 

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JALON ALMOND BLOSSOM WALK

The Jalon Valley (also known as Vall de Pop) is situated inland from the coastal towns of Denia, Javea and Moraira. The Jalon Valley is on the Costa Blanca coast of Spain.
With some areas on the Costa Blanca coast becoming somewhat built up and overcrowded the Jalon Valley attracts a more discerning visitor and resident who appreciates more of a country feel although the coast and it's beautiful beaches are still only 30 minutes drive away.
The Jalon Valley has some of the best scenery in Spain. There are magnificent mountains which surround the plains of olive trees, orange groves, vineyards, raisins and almonds. Peppered in the Jalon Valley are unspoilt villages including Alcalali, Jalon, Lliber and Parcent.
The Jalon Valley is a walker's paradise ranging from a very gentle stroll to a six hour walk around the Sierra de Bernia mountains to the south of Jalon. In late January and early February the whole of the Jalon Valley is covered with pink and white almond blossom and is the best time to see it.

THE TOWN OF JALON
The village of Jalon is at the heart of the Jalon Valley. At the Old Square there is a fountain around which there is an open market heldon Tuesday mornings. Seen from the square is the famous Jalon Church with its blue dome. Roaming around the many small streets, you will find an abundance of shops, bars and restaurants. Jalon is very famous for its local wines. There are at bodegas (wine cellars) where you can sample the various types before buying.
Jalon was under Arabic domination for over five hundred years. The Arabians built two castles, one for the Solana (the Aixa) and another in the Bernie. Both fortresses controlled the Jalon Valley and the numerous settlers. The Arabians left behind the typical house style, for which Jalon is famous today, i.e. houses of stone and old bricks with large wooden doors as well as decorated walls.
The Arabic culture influenced life in Jalon up to its final displacement in the year 1609. After that the trade with raisins became the major economic activity. Many farmers from Majorca settled in Jalon in the 18th and 19th centuries and started cultivating the land, concentrating on grapes and raisin production.

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LLIBER.CASTELL d’ AIXA CIRCUIT. “The Red Cliff Walk”.

Although the ruins of the Castell itself are not impressive the walk to and from them is one of the most popular with our group of walkers. You start by crossing the shallow river Jalon, which generally has water in it here before it disappears underground further downstream. Then up a good old mule track to a pleasant resting place at a casita in an almond orchard followed by a mountain path to the “shoulder” Penyes Blanques, an outlier of Aixa. From here an optional detour to the col below the castle and on to the summit at 607meters.

DISTANCE 16km. -  WALKING TIME 5 hrs. - ASCENT 480 mtrs. - GRADE S

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Cau Ridge

The ascent of Cau (724m) can be made up the ridge starting at its N end, but the writer prefers an indirect approach up the spectacular Barranco del Cau, or even the less dramatic route up the Barranco Carretes. Then up to the summit of Cau followed by the long gradual descent along the ridge, which provides excellent views.

The ravine of Barranco del Cau should not be missed if possible but it is somewhat vertiginous and occasionally steep so is safer to ASCEND rather than descend. The barranco is characterized by an old water pipe supplying Jalon from the upland springs with a series of small concrete huts, which seem to be a type of filtration system. The ascent via the Barranco Carretes, though a few meters more climb, is somewhat easier. Even if Cau itself is not climbed an excellent, easier walk is to walk up the Barranco del Cau and down the Barranco Carretes.

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GPS track - Barranco de Cau option
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-DISTANCE 9.3–WALKING TIME 3½ hrs–ASCENT 565mtrs–GRADE M-scr

GPS track - Carrates option
-DISTANCE 9.1km- WALKING TIME 3hrs. - ASCENT 580mtrs –GRADE M
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COL DE RATES CIRCUIT

An interesting walk from the almond groves of Murtes. Up through the contorted strata of the slightly grim Barranco Negre to a high “Shangri La” cultivated valley with cherry orchards. Followed immediately by a surprise return to the 21st centuary as the main road and restaurant complex near the Col de Rates hove into view. Superb views back to the Sierra Ferrer and on down into the valley of the Jalon River.

Best done late Feb/ early March or in April to catch either the almond or cherry blossom.
As usual the use of secateurs and gloves is invaluable to clear the path for yourselves and successors.
Not muddy after rain.

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BARRANCO DEL CAU- ALT DE L’ AMPLE. CIRCUIT

An excellent walk up the dramatic gorge of the Barranco del Cau, on through the almond orchards of the high plain of Casas del Cau and Planises. Then back along the heights of Alt de l’ Ample with superb all round views particularly spectacular down into the barranco you have just climbed. A well-engineered mule path eases the descent to your cars.

70% on paths, some rough, 15% on tracks and 15% on surfaced roads. A few fairly short stretches of path have steep long drops down into the barranco and need particular care. Not for sufferers of serious vertigo. It is safer and less vertiginous to go up the barranco, as described, than down. Best avoided until rocks and paths have dried up after rain.
Also alternative easier option via Barranco de Carretes.

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BARRANCO DE CAU START
 DISTANCE 8 ½ km.- WALK TIME 3h20m. -ASCENT 384mtrs.  - GRADE M/Scr
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BARRANCO DE CARRETES START
 DISTANCE 9km.- WALK TIME 3hrs.- ASCENT 374mtrs.- GRADE M
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