Here I am again, back in Altea after almost exactly five years. I left this charming town during the pandemic (you can read about that in my earlier blog post here), and now I’ve returned, hiking the Penyal d’Ifac once again. Altea, along with its neighbouring towns and the surrounding landscapes, is just as stunning and beautiful as I remembered. This truly is my favourite part of Spain.
…
Hiking the Penyal d’Ifac
Even before I checked into my hotel after leaving Valencia, the first thing I did was hiking the Penyal d’Ifac rock (a Natural Park in Calpe city). This amazing high rock at the end of Calpe was grand, and still kind of scary-looking. Was I really going all the way to the top again?
I remembered that last time it was packed with people, and it was hard to get around. This time, luckily, there were far fewer visitors. I noticed the signage is better than on the Montserrat hike and if you’re up for a proper challenge, aim for the Penyal d’Ifac peak. But be aware…
Hiking the Penyal d’Ifac is definitely not for everyone. It’s one of the toughest, if not the most dangerous, hikes I’ve done so far. The rocks are extremely slippery, and although there are ropes to hold onto at times, you really have to concentrate and watch every step. The fall is steep. But I love this challenge.
Since I couldn’t take many photos while hiking (you really do need to be aware), I managed to snap a shot of some other hikers near the top. What a hike. The view overlooking Altea and Calpe is unbelievable.
After two hours I was happy to be back at my car. Feeling exhausted and happy for hiking the Penyal d’Ifac once again.
…
The Town
I really, really like Altea. It’s still my favourite part of Spain. While I was here, I spent a lot of time walking along the beach promenade, which stretches all the way to the path leading to the lighthouse. Of course, I did that walk too. The weather was perfect and the turquoise water in Altea is absolutely beautiful. It felt amazing to be back. And it was great hiking the Penyal d’Ifac again. Who knows when I do that again.
On my way from Altea back to France, I stopped for one night in Costa Brava. It was hard to choose which coastal town to visit, there were so many tempting options, so I ended up picking Tossa de Mar. I did a short walk through the town, although it didn’t impress me as much as Altea. That said, I found a fantastic hotel just 10 minutes up the road, tucked into the mountains and forest. The Zel Costa Brava Hotel. With big pool, private beach and tennis courts, it was a shame I couldn’t stay longer. But France was calling.
(post 216)
