Discover the hiking routes through Serra Gelada. These Benidorm routes, with 300-meter cliffs or along paved paths, will give the whole family the opportunity to explore the natural park and enjoy spectacular views.
Index
Blue Hiking Route: Punta de Cavall or Tower of Les Caletes
We begin with the first route through Benidorm. It runs through the Sierra Helada Natural Park (Serra Gelada in Valencian), at a distance of 900m from the campsite.
Distance:
5.2km (Round Trip), plus 700m to Tío Ximo cove
Approximate duration:
2h to 2h 30′
Elevation gain and difficulty of the route:
75m, Low difficulty
Accessibility:
Paved route – Hiking – Cycling – Wheelchair accessible
Blue route itinerary from the campsite
We’ll head towards the end of Levante beach, to its furthest point from the city, opposite the Cable-Ski. We’ll climb the hill that leads to the Benikaktus hotel, on Alcalde Manuél Catalán street. On the paved road, we’ll leave the junction that goes to the Cross on the left and continue until we find a turn that goes down to the Punta Llisera viewpoint and Tío Ximo cove.
1. Tío Ximo Cove
Tío Ximo cove is a small bay, near Levante Beach, named after a man who operated an ochre mine in that area and was popularly known as Tío Ximo (common Valencian name).
2. Watchtower
After our short visit to Tío Ximo Cove, we’ll go back a bit and on the right, to a road with restricted access to motor vehicles, where we’ll head towards Punta del Cavall, where we can see the 17th-century watchtower, the Tower of Les Caletes. We’ll be able to see the cliffs of Sierra Helada and L’Illa Mitjana (middle island). Both this tower and Punta Bombarda in Albir were watchtowers built to guard against Barbary pirate attacks, which were very frequent in medieval times.
Red Route: The Cross
We continue with the second hiking route in Benidorm. The route to the Cross of Benidorm is probably the most well-known and quite easy route, suitable for the whole family. We’ll start from Avenida del Mediterráneo or the end of Levante Beach.
Distance:
5km (Round Trip)
Approximate duration:
3h
Elevation gain and difficulty of the route:
237m, Low difficulty
Accessibility:
Car – bicycle – on foot. Paved track.
Red route itinerary from the campsite
We head to the end of Avenida del Mediterráneo, to go up Calle Berlín (no entry for cars) or to the end of Levante beach.
1. Calle Berlín Option
We go up the street to a crossroads, from there to the Sierra Dorada Apartments on the right.
2. Levante Beach Option
In this option, we go up Hamburgo Street and turn left at the first intersection towards Castell de Mar, where we would connect with the previous route. From this point on, the climb will delight us with beautiful views ‘3’. We climb to the left until reaching point ‘4’.
3. End of the route
We arrive at the Cross. A traditionally romantic place to contemplate one of the best views of Benidorm, a great spot for taking photographs.
Yellow Route: The Sierra Helada Traverse
8km (One way)
Approximate duration:
4h to 4.30h
Elevation gain and difficulty of the route:
438m, moderate-high difficulty
Accessibility:
Only on foot, hiking
Itinerary to the yellow hiking route from the campsite
We head to the end of Mediterráneo Avenue, to go up Berlin Street (prohibited direction for cars) or to the end of Levante Beach. To start the RED ROUTE and connect with the YELLOW ROUTE.
The other option is to go to El Albir, to the recreational area, yellow point ‘1’. Constant zigzag climb until reaching the repeater and antennas, passing by the old quarry.
1. Alt del Governador
At the end of this trail, you reach the highest point of Sierra Helada, at 438m, with the repeaters and communication antennas.
2. L’Illa Mitjana or Mediana Island
We pass an old surveillance house and a small cistern, until reaching the midpoint. We can see the Mediana Island. Pay attention to the cliffs and the fossil dunes. They will remind us of sand dunes, but erosion has turned these rocks into something unique in the province of Alicante.
4. The Cross
We arrive at the Cross. From here we can return or start the descent via the RED ROUTE to Rincón de Loix at points 1 or 2 and return to the campsite to rest.
Route to the Albir Lighthouse
5km (Round trip)
Approximate duration:
1h to 2h
Elevation gain and difficulty of the route:
100m, low difficulty | Route on Wikiloc
Accessibility:
On foot, wheelchair, and strollers.
Itinerary to the lighthouse from the campsite
1. Parking
We’ll go by car to the access parking lot and the entrance. Parking location.
2. Entrance
We’ll go to the entrance and 25m ahead we’ll find a fork. If we go right, we’ll climb to the repeater, and if we go left and flat, we’ll continue towards the tunnel and the Albir lighthouse.
4. The lighthouse and the interpretation center
We hope you enjoyed our article about the routes in Benidorm and Serra Gelada and that you have a great day. Don’t forget to share it!
