Benicadell Ridge Costa Blanca
For a few years now the Crest of Benicadell has been on our 'to-do' list and for various reasons we've only just got around to doing it.
Information about the ridge is hard to come by, in particular we struggled to find much useful information about how to locate the starting point, and of course this is crucial. So under the 'Spain' section of the website we will be publishing a guide to the ridge including approach details. Update for 2022: Our newly published Cicerone guide Costa Blanca Mountain Adventures is now available and includes this and many other wonderful mountain days.
So what's it like? Pretty fantastic actually. Only just over an hour from our base in Llosa de Camacho, we pass through sleepy villages to arrive at the mountain refuge ' Casa Forestal'. The walk in was easy too, and in less than half an hour we were gearing up at the base of this impressive looking ridge which seemed to stretch for a very long way.
The traverse begins with a couple of pitches of grade 4+ & 4 climbing, so worth roping up for. Once established on the ridge the way ahead is straightforward but very exposed, so a rope is optional.
The scrambling finishes on the summit of Benicadell, and from here a good footpath leads down the north side of the mountain and easily back to the parking area.
The traverse took us 5 hours 40 minutes car to car including a few short stops. It's worth allowing at least 6 hours and take it nice and leisurely.
We are now adding this traverse to our itineraries, so if you'd like to try it and prefer to be guided, please get in touch and let's make it happen.
Thanks to my team mate Rachel for joining me on this adventure.
Mark
