This is the longest trail in the network, a tough 16 kilometre route from the tip of the Cabo de San Antonio to the top of the mountain of Montgó, taking in the dramatic Cova Tallada - the "carved cave" - and the 16th century watchtower of the Torre del Gerro on the northern flanks of the headland. The route begins at the very end of the marina road. There is limited parking - and in any case, one would have to walk back to collect the car at the end of the day - so the preferred option would be to coerce a friend to become the support team who can drop you off at the start-point and then meet you some ten hours later at a suitable rendezvous, such as the shooting range of Campo de Tiro Les Planes close to the bottom of the summit path to the top of the Montgó.

The second longest trail in the network, the PR CV-354 path passes through the undulating hills to the south of the town in an area known as the "Parque Forestal de Granadella", an area of protected beauty that has often been called the "lungs of the Costa Blanca". The route begins in the narrow cove of Granadella and passes through several key locations along the coast, including the 18th century watch-tower that used to protect this small bay, and the Mirador LLevant, a stunning viewpoint on the cliff-edge. It passes through deep chasm and along dizzy cliff tops, through thick forest and along dry river bed. It can be walked in either direction and from several points along the circular route but in this guide we describe the clockwise direction from Cala de la Granadella, the most popular itinerary.

This rocky cove is situated in the small bay of Portitxol, guarded on its extremes by the protective booms of Cap Prim and Cap Negre  as well as the hulk of the island of Portitxol. The cove takes its name from the small fishing huts ("barracas") that were built here some years ago, some of which still remain. The bay of Portitxol ("small port") has been used as an anchorage and landing point for more than two thousand years and archeaological discoveries suggest habitation stretching back to the 7th century BCE. The short route starts at the tosca stone cross of Portitxol and passes through trees and along dusty plateau before dropping steeply into the cove and the delightful beach of Cala Barraca. There is also an alternative which provides a great close-up view of the little island of Portitxol.

Guide - PR CV-355 >>

Guide - PR CV-354 >>

Guide - SL CV-97 >>

Cap Prim forms the southern barrier of the wide bay of Jávea and affords fantastic views to the north towards the mountain of Montgó and the Cabo de San Antonio. It hosts a unique micro-reserve of plants that makes it one of the most important ecological locations in the area and care should be taken not to cause damage. The colourful cliffs of Cap Prim, a mixture of grey and yellow marlstone, contrast superbly with the blue of the sea. As we pass along the route towards the end of Cap Prim, there is a small isolated cove to the left known as Cala Sardinera. Archeaologists have discovered six Roman amphorae used to transport wine but the cove is probably best known for the sardine industry - hence its name - when fine nets were drawn across the cove at sunrise and sunset to make the catch.

The Ermita de Santa Llúcia sits atop the conical hill of Tossal de Santa Llucía, a 165m summit affording spectacular views in almost every direction. In my opinion, the situation offers one of the best locations to photograph the nearby mountain of Montgó, rising dramatically to the north-west, whilst on clear days the island of Ibiza, over 90 kilometres distant, can be made out as a dark but obvious smudge on the horizon to the east. Such field of view has made it a valuable, easily defendable site for centuries and evidence has been found to suggest that people were already living on the hill more than 4,000 years ago. During the Roman occupation of these lands, it was utilised as a perfect look-out point due to its superb command over the bay of Jávea and the long valley of San Bartolomé.

Guide - SL CV-98 >>

Guide - SL CV-99 >>