Finestrat Mountain Walk: Puig Campana (Spain)

Kali

9 years ago

Puig Campana Mountain Walk in Finestrat, Costa Blanca (Spain).

There are several fresh water springs in the Finestrat area – the emblematic Font del Molí has 15 spouts and people come from miles around to fill up containers with the pure mountain water.

You’ll find it at the top of the lane, which turns off the main street in Finestrat, up to the base of the Puig Campana mountain. There’s a Tourist Info centre nearby where you can get a map and information on outdoor activities – camping, rock climbing, cycling and hikes.

This is the starting place for the best walk on Costa Blanca! The classical circular route around the Puig Campana (PR-CV 289) is a moderate walk of some 11 kilometres, which can take something up to five hours if you take it easy and stop to eat a picnic along the way!

The ascent up the north face to the summit is somewhat more challenging and you need to be in reasonable physical condition and wear the appropriate footwear for hiking (total 12 km – 4 to 8 hours to complete depending on pace).

The trek starts at the Font de Moli taking the same path as the circular route – halfway round the trail, signs point you to a steep three kilometre long path which leads up to the summit.

The Puig Campana is the second highest peak on the Costa Blanca (1410 metres above sea level) and the effort is worthwhile for amazing views from the top, over the skyscraper skyline in Benidorm, and great part of the Alicante coastline. Check the weather conditions beforehand to avoid rain, take a warm lightweight fleece jacket and a bottle of water – there is no water source on the ascent to the summit.

For the fit and adventurous, it’s an incredible experience to trek up the Puig Campana before sunset and camp out on the summit overnight to see the amazing sunrise (once again taking appropriate clothing and supplies, as the temperatures drop considerably and it is cold after sundown).

The stiff ascent up the south face, known as the ‘vertical kilometre’, is far more hazardous and only for experienced climbers.

There are several legends about the charismatic Puig Campana mountain and the huge gap at the top…one romantic story tells of a giant who tore the great chunk of rock from the rock face to let the last rays of sunlight through the mountain to save his sweetheart from certain death at nightfall… the rock was thrown into the sea to form Benidorm Island!

Follow other trails on foot or mountain bike to the rural town of Polop (turn off on the Puig Campana circular) or a relatively easy scenic route through pine trees to the neighbouring village of Sella – take the road to the left of Font de Molí and the path alongside the distinctive ridge, the Castellets crest.

A walk along the Sierra Cortina is another marvellous experience – an easy route along the crest affords panoramic views to Benidorm and the other coastal resorts of the Marina Baja region.

Getting there:
Finestrat village is located 8 minutes from Benidorm by car; 50 kms from Alicante-Elche airport; take the AP-7 motorway exit 65-A, then the local road. Alternatively take the N-332 and follow the signs to the turnoff.

Related Posts:

Finestrat and Cala de Finestrat

Related Posts about the Costa Blanca: Alicante Province – North to South

Related Posts about the Costa Blanca:
Alicante Province – North to South