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 can be walked in either direction
- in this guide we describe the clockwise direction
from Cala de la Granadella.
The start point is at the car-park
at Granadella. It's a spacious enough location but be
aware that it does tend to get full very quickly during
the high season and especially during the weekends throughout
the summer. Walking away from the beach area,
there is a very obvious signpost that indicates two
directions: for the full circuit, take
the left option which is signposted "Castell Granadella".
The concrete road climbs steeply almost immediately and
begins to snake its way up the hillside. After some
250m, look out for a painted route marker which shows
the way on as the route leaves the tarmac and climbs
gently along a wide track until it narrows as its passes
to the rear of the row of houses and then veers off
to the right to climb up towards the cliffs.
The
path edges along the steep drop into the cove below;
there is a stunning view of the small cove of Granadella
to the left. Eventually the path reaches a small platform
area with wooden fencing with splendid views over the
bay of Granadella towards the Ambolo headland and the
Isla del Descrubidor. The path continues along the edge
of a small gorge - you may have to push through the
undergrowth - and then drops into the Barranc de la
Xapa via
a series of very steep steps, both natural and man-made,
for which there are now some handy wooden rails to assist
in the descent.
The
path then pushes through the undergrowth, skirting around
the other side of the gorge with the ground dropping
steeply away to the left towards the sea. A slip might
prove somewhat problematic so two handy chains
has been secured along a couple of particularly
tricky sections. Whilst keeping an eye on where you
are putting your feet, remember to take a look around
as a spectacular seascape opens up around you.
After
scaling a low climb, assisted by a chain, the ruins
of the Castell de la Granadella appears below you. This
small fort was built in the first half of the 18th century
and formed part of the extensive defensive system of
watchtowers that protected the coast from attacks from
Barbary Corsairs. It was the last of such towers to
be built and was mostly destroyed during the Peninsular
War in the early 19th century.
Signs
and subtle painted route markers (yellow and white)
lead the way from the castle to the ridge walk that
can be quite a tough scramble but affords some fantastic
views not only of the bay of Granadella to the
north but also the high cliffs that stretch down along
the coast towards Cap d'Or to the south. It becomes
a little easier as the path traverses along the top
of the ridge and then climbs to the Mirador de Llevant,
a great viewing platform some 180m above sea level that
provides a perfect rest-stop although there's little
shade from the sun since the roof was torn away a couple
of years ago.
A
very distinct path leads away inland. After about 550m,
the Teulería variant leads away to the right - suitably
signposted - but the route continue onwards, rolling
across the countryside towards the 439m high Puig de
Llorença, the urbanisation of Cumbre del Sol scarring
its eastern flanks. After 650m, the Gurugú variant leads
back to Granadella, the last option for a short-cut
before the nine kilometre loop to Mirador Granadella.
Keep
a close eye of the yellow-and-white markers which show
the way; after about 700m a small path leads of the
main track and then runs alongside itfor about 200m
before dropping steeply away to the right - marked by
a low wooden post - and towards some ruins at the bottom
of the Barranc de Martorell with snakes away to the
right in between almost vertical cliffs and all the
way back down to Granadella. The path cross along the
bottom of the valley and then climbs up the other flank,
passing through a couple of ruins before eventually
joining another wide track. Turning right, the route
follows along the northern edge of the barranc for just
over a kilometre, the cove of Granadella beginning to
appear again over to the right-hand side. There's little
shade as the sun beats down and almost three hours have
passed since leaving Granadella.
When
the path turns left, there is a small concrete bench
with a great view down towards Granadella and a perfect
place to stop and rest for a while. The route turns
north - the mountain of Montgó peeks over the ridge
ahead - and drops steeply into the Barranc de l'Ortxella.
The rough track becomes concrete for a few hundred metres
as it descends into the narrow gorge - a hidden valley
- before climbing up the other steep, not quite as steep
as the descent but still requiring plenty of puff.
Eventually
the path comes across a T-junction and the route turns
right. After about 100m, it takes the obvious option
to the left and climbs through the trees. There is some
confusion after about 200m when the route markers suggest
that the obvious track to the right should be taken.
However, despite the suggestion otherwise, the route
continues up through the trees to open up a fantastic
view to the north over the low hills of Rebaldí and
Tossalet towards the bay of Jávea and the extended snout
of Cabo de San Antonio with the looming hulk of El Montgó
keeping guard over the valley.
The
route continues along the ridge and back into the trees
where it meets concrete once again. A signpost points
the way up past a small wooden firetower and after
about 350m the route reaches the Mirador Granadella,
142m above sea level and affording some great views
over the Granadella forestry park.
The
route drops down through the trees to the left of the
wooden information board behind which the mountain of
El Montgó can be seen. The path is steep before levelling
out and eventually joining a wider track when the route
turns left. A short ascent, more or less the last of
the whole route, and the route turns left at the crossroads.
After about 200m, look for the route marker painted
on a large tree on the left which marks the continuation
of the route. The wide track eventually becomes narrow,
passing through the undergrowth that closes it on all
sides. Eventually, at a power line pylon, the path drops
over the edge and descends steeply back into the Barranc
de l'Ortxella.
At
the bottom, follow the dry river bed to the left and,
after about 300m, it passes under the CV-7420 road and
then passes through the trees for the final stretch
back to Granadella, passing under the road once again
before eventually emerging back at the car-park.

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