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Marina Alta – 6 nights
Over rugged mountains and through vibrant woodlands to the Mediterranean
Back to Routes
At a glance
6 nights (5 walking days) - missing the Barranc de L'Infern circuit. See 'Prices' tab for what's included.
Suggested route pairing: Mallorca
How much walking?
Full days: 10-16¼ km per day, 4-4¾ hrs walking. A medium length walk, though Spanish eating habits mean you can take as long as you need for each day’s walk.
Using shortening options: 6¾-12¾ km per day, 1¾-4¼ hrs walking using lifts and shortcuts
Quiet hills and villages of the Costa Blanca
Behind the bustling beaches of the Costa Blanca in south-east Spain lies a landscape of charming villages, fruitful valleys and rugged hills, as remote from the Costas as possible.
The lively villages of the Marina Alta are linked by a network of waymarked paths, insinuating their way through the maquis and the tiny fields, through woodland, and over ridges which all promise a view of the Mediterranean in the distance.
From the remote village of Castell de Castells, after a moderate grade circular walk to get you started, the route crosses two ridges to spectacularly positioned Benimaurells.
Onwards, with an easy day to little Parcent (though you can opt for a scramble along a ridge if you are game), and then Jalón via the Coll de Rates. Your final day is an easy ramble down the Gorgos river to a tram station, taking you in ease to the pretty seaside town of Denia, which has mercifully escaped over-development and offers a fine range of eateries in its historic centre for the evening before your departure.
Walked by On Foot staff: Simon and Ellen
Consider pairing this route with Mallorca (5 hrs transfer by ferry from Denia) – for more details click here.
TRAVEL ADVICE: To find the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for UK citizens travelling to Spain, click here. Citizens of other nations will also find it useful, but should always check their appropriate local agency.
Route Highlights
- The rugged hills of Marina Alta
- Small villages full of history
- Beautifully scented Mediterranean flora
- The seaside port of Denia with its impressive castle and beaches
This route features the following characteristics and interests: Coast, Mountains, Villages and farms, Birdwatching, History, Mountains
Things you should know
- In the far south of Spain it can be very hot, but the winter months should be perfect for walking.
- A lot of walking on this route is on wider tracks. There is some road walking, though always on quiet roads.
We Recommend
Whilst in the area it is worth spending a few days exploring Valencia or Alicante.
For a rest day, spend an extra night in Jalón where the accommodation has a pool, or you could even do a short guided walk with Euro Goat Trekkers: Euro Goat Trekkers
Eating and Drinking
In Castell de Castells you will enjoy some homemade traditional cooking, while in Benimaurell you will have a choice of traditionally Spanish dishes. Here you can also take the opportunity to try one of the local wines. While the choice in Parcent is limited, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from in both Jalón and Denia.
How much Walking?






Using shortening options: 6¾-12¾ km per day, 1¾-4¼ hrs walking using lifts and shortcuts
Easy navigation with good waymarking mainly on good paths and tracks. Some road walking, but always on very quiet routes. Highest point on route: 1,075m.
Medium: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 525m per day (200m-850m).
Easy-medium: CUSs 350m per day (170m-700m) using lifts and shortcuts.
Acrophobia/vertigo warnings: none.
On Foot Holidays Companion app available from 2025, for GPS navigation/mapping and all other documentation and advice. Separate GPX files for your own device also available.
Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.
When to go?
The best months to walk: January, February, March, November, December
Other possible months: March, April, October
Marina Alta offers ideal conditions for walking throughout the autumn, spring and winter months when many of our other routes are not available. Rainfall is relatively low all year with October at highest risk when the remaining warm surface heat from summer meets a sudden cold invasion from the polar regions. During spring the flowers will be in bloom and the temperatures not too high. From May to September the temperatures are too high to enjoy the area by foot.
Note: the week before Easter is usually very busy, and availability might be limited.
Start Dates
Weather Chart
Temperature and rainfall chart for Jalón
Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Castell de Castells...
Settle into your accommodation and have a wander around Castell de Castells before enjoying Pilar's delicious home made food.
Day 2 - Castell de Castells circuit
An introductory warm-up, including the unusual rock formation of Els Arcs, a castle ruin, and some great views in all directions once you have achieved height. (Medium: 4¼ hrs walking (allow 5¾ hrs), 12¾ km (8 miles), CUSs 700m).
Take a look at Els Arcs and the surrounding views here (external link).
Day 3 - Castell de Castells to Benimaurell
A day of two halves. The first half is, after a pretty path up the hillside, a walk along a 7 km track, sometimes concreted, though hardly ever with traffic, through wild open country and woodland. It is a walk to stride along side-by-side and admire the stupendous views along most of its length, to meet the main road at the end of the first half.
The second by contrast is, after a short road start, a beautiful narrow path up to the ridge and down to your comfortable hotel at Benimaurell, with equally lovely views along the way but rather more interest, passing through cultivated terraces and little farms. (Medium Hard: 4¾ hrs walking (allow 6¼ hrs), 16¼ km (10 miles), CUSs 850m)
Alternative: Ask your host the evening before for a lift to the halfway point to complete the second part of the walk. (Medium: 3 hrs walking (allow 4 hrs), 6¾ km (4 miles), CUSs 460m)
Day 4 - Benimaurell to Parcent
On this day the standard route is the shorter, easier route. The day starts off on lovely paths along the valley all the way to Murla, from where it is a gentle walk along the riverbed and a final short climb to Parcent. (Easy-Medium: 4 hrs walking (allow 5¼ hrs), 11 km (7 miles), CUSs 200m)
Alternative: For a longer and more challenging route, walk up to the ridge shortly after leaving Benimaurell for a 1¾ km scramble before joining the standard route. This should not be attempted by the less steady on their feet and/or during or after wet weather. (Medium-hard: 5¼ hrs walking (allow 7 hrs), 12¼ km (7½ miles), CUSs 375m)
Day 5 - Parcent to Jalón
A gradual climb up to Col de Rates with gorgeous views before your descent and an enjoyable, fairly level woodland walk to your next destination. (Easy-Medium: 4¼ hrs walking (allow 5¾ hrs), 10 km (6½ miles), CUSs 500m)
Alternative: For an easier day, miss out the climb to Col de Rates and contour the valley on easy paths. (Easy: 1¾ hrs walking (allow 2¼ hrs), 7½ km (4½ miles), CUSs 170m)
Day 6 - Jalón to Denia
An easier day to end, with a visit to the nearby village of Lliber to start. After Lliber – mainly following the Gorgos river, and therefore quite flat – the main difficulty will be some light riverbed bouldering and looking out for the next yellow/white flash. At Gata de Gorgos take the next tram to your final town, Denia. (Easy-medium: 4 hrs walking (allow 5¼ hrs), 12½ km (8 miles), CUSs 200m)
Final Day
Depart for home (or stay further nights). Why not add a day or two in Valencia or Alicante while you’re in the area?
Travel Information
ARRIVING BY TRAIN
Nearest railway station:
Start: Alicante or Valencia from where a taxi will take you to your first accommodation (included).
Return: For the best train connections take a bus to Alicante or Valencia.
Sample journey by rail:
Via Paris and Barcelona: Travel from Paris to Barcelona by TGV Duplex along the Rhone valley past pretty villages to the South of France and over the border (~7 hrs). From Barcelona catch the Euromed train to Valencia (~3 hrs).
From Denia: After a bus ride to Valencia catch the Euromed train back to Barcelona, followed by a train to Latour de Carol or Cerbere just across the border in France. From there the sleeper train will take you all the way back to Paris.
We suggest thetrainline.com for times, ticket booking and other information.
ARRIVING BY CAR
Your car can be left in the (unsecured) public car park in Castell de Castells where your holiday starts. We can arrange a taxi after your last night in Denia to take you back to Castell de Castells. (Alternatively, park in Denia and taxi to Castell de Castells.)
ARRIVING BY AIR
The best airports are Alicante and Valencia. Intercontinental flights use Madrid (depending on arrival time an overnight stay in Madrid might be necessary) then train to Alicante (2 hrs 30 mins) or Valencia (2 hrs). A taxi from Alicante or Valencia (cities or airports) is included.
Return flight earliest: Alicante 11:00; Valencia 12:00 for bus connections from Denia.
For Alicante airport there are 4 direct daily buses, and for Valencia there is one direct bus to the airport but regular buses to Valencia city from where there is a bus to the airport every 30 mins (40 mins)
Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. NOTE: not all flights run through the winter months, so do please check carefully for your preferred dates. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.
For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.
See “Getting to start” below for transfer information.
Getting to the start of the walk
The first accommodation is in Castell de Castells and your last hotel in Denia.
Whether you are arriving by air or by train to Alicante or Valencia, a taxi will meet you on arrival. (included in holiday price)
For your return journey:
From Denia there are good bus connections to both Valencia and Alicante. Full transfer advice, including timetables, will be provided in your Walker’s Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.
Return to Alicante: Direct bus to Alicante city (1 hr 30 mins) or Alicante airport (2 hrs)
Return to Valencia: One direct bus to Valencia airport at 9am, or direct bus to Valencia city (1 hr 40 mins) and bus connection to airport (40 mins)
We can book taxis from Denia, see the ‘Prices’ tab for costs.
Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.
Where You'll Stay
Starting in Castell de Castells you will stay in a family run bed and breakfast in the centre of the village. Pilar, your charming host is an excellent cook and you will eat well. In Benimaurell the hotel has a more corporate feel, but its hilltop location with lovely views makes for an excellent base. The accommodation at Parcent is unique and has been in the family for many generations – with its layout around the central hall, there is something to explore in every corner. In Jalón we work with a couple of luxurious B&Bs, both with a pool. Finally, in Denia our standard hotel is in the centre of the old town, close to the many eateries that will try and entice you in, or if you prefer a little more luxury at the end of your trip, the hotel overlooking the port might be the perfect place to relax.

Night 1 & 2
Castell de Castells – Casa Pilar (dinner, B&B)
Family run B&B in the centre of the village, with great home-cooked food.

Night 3
Benimaurell – Hotel Alahuar (dinner, B&B)
Modern hotel on the hill just outside the village, with stunning views.

Night 6 (Upgrade)
Denia – Hotel Posada del Mar (B&B)
Lovely hotel in a 13th century building, beside the castle and the harbour.
Prices
Total 7 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, 3 evening meals, 5 picnics; taxi at start from Alicante or Valencia, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.
Also included: On Foot Holidays Companion app, providing navigation/mapping and digital version of the Walkers’ Pack as above. Separate GPX files for your own device also available. If choosing to walk with app only (no printed materials): Discount of £40 per pack (based on one pack per room) from 2025.
All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in April. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.
Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £270
Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £145
Large Party Saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary, on the same booking and booked at the same time) – discount of at least £50 per person
Maximum party size: 8
Add Ons
Upgrade hotel in Denia, superior rooms in Castell de Castells: Contact On Foot – prices vary seasonally
Further night(s) in Denia hotel at end of holiday, and in other hotels en route: Contact On Foot – price varies seasonally
Taxi from Denia to first hotel: Supplement from £65
Taxi from Denia to airports: Alicante from £150, Valencia from £170
Sending Extra Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK: Supplement payable per pack, location dependent.

Our local team
Antonio Lozano
Antonio was born in Madrid, where he lived until a few years ago. He's always had a passion for nature and outdoor sports, but studied Psychology and worked as an HR Manager until he ended up wondering: what am I doing here in an office when I would rather be outside? Antonio is a keen cyclist and hiker so he decided to change his career path to be part of the development of a more sustainable type of tourism.

