The Costa Blanca is much more than just sun and beaches. Between its Mediterranean coastline and mountainous interior lies a land full of contrasts, where every hiking route offers a different way to experience the landscape. Cliffs opening out onto the sea, mountain ranges hiding natural passes, reservoirs surrounded by tranquillity and peaks dominating the horizon all come together to form a network of trails inviting visitors to discover the province step by step. In this article, we have gathered five of the most iconic hiking routes to explore its most natural side.
1) Route through Serra Gelada
The route connecting Albir Lighthouse with the Benidorm Cross is one of the most pleasant and accessible ways to start hiking in the area. It takes place within the surroundings of the Serra Gelada Natural Park, a protected area renowned for its impressive cliffs overlooking the sea.
The trail begins at the lighthouse car park, a peaceful spot where the scenery already hints at what is to come: a wide, well-maintained path running alongside the cliffs, always with the blue Mediterranean as a backdrop. Along the route, the contrast between Mediterranean vegetation, limestone rock and the open sea creates a constant sense of space and light.
As you continue towards the Benidorm Cross, the landscape opens up even more, revealing one of the area’s most recognisable views: the bay of Benidorm, with its skyscrapers shaping the skyline. It is a route that does not require great physical effort, yet offers a constant visual reward, perfect for enjoying at a leisurely pace and stopping to admire the surroundings.
2) Route to the Forat de Bernia
The Sierra de Bernia is one of those places where hiking takes on a more adventurous character. Here, the landscape changes completely: the softness of the coastline gives way to a rugged mountain range, with trails winding through rocks and low vegetation, and views appearing unexpectedly.
One of the most iconic points of this route is the famous Forat de Bernia, a natural tunnel that cuts through the mountain from one side to the other. Crossing it is an almost symbolic experience: you enter from one side of the mountain and suddenly emerge to discover a spectacular panorama over both the inland scenery and the coast.
The circular route around the mountain range allows hikers to enjoy a wide variety of landscapes within a single walk, from more wooded areas to open ridges where the wind and the sense of height take centre stage. It is an excursion that combines moderate effort with moments of genuine visual surprise.
3) Circular route around the Guadalest reservoir
In the inland area of the province lies one of the most unique landscapes on the Costa Blanca: the surroundings of the Guadalest reservoir. This circular route allows visitors to walk around the reservoir and immerse themselves in a landscape where water unexpectedly takes centre stage among steep mountains.
The route offers a particularly peaceful atmosphere. The turquoise-blue waters of the reservoir contrast with the surrounding mountainous relief, creating postcard-perfect views that constantly change depending on the light of the day. Along the trail, visitors can also spot the historic Guadalest valley above, with its castle and houses perched on the rock, adding a cultural element to the natural surroundings.
It is an especially pleasant route on clear days, when the sunlight reflecting on the water intensifies the colours of the landscape even further. It does not require significant physical effort, making it a perfect option for those who wish to enjoy hiking without steep climbs, while still experiencing a visually rich environment.
4) Route to the summit of Puig Campana
If there is one mountain that commands respect in the province of Alicante, it is Puig Campana. Its silhouette, visible from much of the coastline, is already a landmark for any hiking enthusiast.
The circular route surrounding this mountain allows visitors to appreciate its scale from different angles, although the real challenge lies in the ascent itself, particularly on the famous vertical kilometre section. This demanding climb, with steep gradients, truly tests hikers’ physical endurance.
However, the effort is more than rewarded. As altitude is gained, the landscape unfolds to reveal one of the widest panoramic views on the entire Costa Blanca: the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the inland mountain ranges on the other. It is an intense, almost epic experience, reserved for those seeking more than just a simple mountain walk.
5) Route to the summit of the Peñón de Ifach
The ascent to the Peñón de Ifach Natural Park is one of the Costa Blanca’s most iconic routes and also one of its most popular. The route begins with a well-prepared and relatively comfortable path crossing areas of Mediterranean vegetation and gradually gaining altitude.
As the route progresses, the terrain changes noticeably. The path becomes narrower and limestone rock begins to dominate the surroundings, giving the trail a more mountainous character. One of the best-known points is the tunnel carved directly into the mountain, connecting both sides of the rock and marking the transition towards the final part of the ascent.
From the summit, visitors can enjoy panoramic views over the coast of Calpe and the Mediterranean Sea, with much of the Costa Blanca coastline visible on clear days. The Calpe salt flats can also be clearly seen, adding a particularly distinctive contrast to the landscape. It is the final highlight of a very popular route and one of its greatest attractions.
These five routes are just a small glimpse of the natural wealth the Costa Blanca has to offer beyond its beaches. Each of them reveals a different landscape, yet they all share one common feature: the constant combination of sea and mountains that makes this province a unique hiking destination all year round.
Walking these routes is a way of discovering the region from a different perspective, one that is slower-paced and more connected to nature. To do so in complete comfort, Climia Hotels offers the perfect base for exploring the Costa Blanca, with well-located accommodation providing easy access to both the coast and the main mountain trails. A convenient option for combining hiking, nature and the sea in a single trip.
