The list of walks to do here is endless with ones to suit everyone - high mountain walks with rocky ridges that require some scrambling; walks on good paths that traverse or meander around the mountain; walks up to hill tops with Moorish castles; walks down into valleys following ancient Mozarabic steps or walks through valleys with ancient terraces full of almond, olive, lemon and orange trees.
To give you a good insight into these fabulous mountains and to tempt you a little I shall write about a different walk every week over the coming months…
Distance – 10k. Ascent – 650m. Time – 4 to 5 hours
Mallada del Llop (1360m) is the eastern peak of the Serra de Serrella and you first see the mountain on your drive there as you near the mountain village of Castell de Castells. This majestic mountain rises above the village – green terraces and pine trees on the lower slopes, topped by a rocky ridge high above.
Soon one turns off onto a delightful mountain path, gently traversing up and across the mountain side until it eventually reaches a col with views across to El Castellet (Serrella Castle) and one looks steeply down into Barranc de la Canal, a wide, deep trench with huge rock walls on either side. The route from here descends into the barranc and follows a path up the centre of the barranc. If you look carefully you'll find three old snow pits along the way which were used in the 18th century to provide ice to the coastal towns and villages. Once at the top of the barranc we reach a col and from here it’s not far to the summit were spectacular views greet you - the huge bulk of Aitana, the beautiful Guadalest valley and lake below and in the distance, the shimmering, blue meditteranean.
On reaching the col below one takes a right turn following a small path and passing another snow pit. Just after is the Clot de Noguer followed soon after by the Font de Noguer. One can now see the village of Famorca far below and soon after passing a walled corral a good path zig-zags its way down the mountainside to the village below and the end of the walk.
Another walk to follow next week, keep posted...
Kate
