Hike Spain's Sierra de Aitana — Self-Launched
8 days · Sierra de Aitana, Valencia Region, Spain
Exodus Adventure Travels charges £1,480
No-markup version: ~£620 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of Exodus Adventure Travels' popular Sierra de Aitana hiking week lets you conquer the same dramatic limestone peaks, ridges, and high pastures of Spain's Costa Blanca interior — without the guided group price tag. Based in the charming village of Benimantell (near Guadalest), you'll tackle Puig Campana, Serrella, Morro Blau, and Aitana Peak independently using freely available trail maps, the Wikiloc app, and AllTrails. All routes are well-marked and walkable without a guide for anyone with solid hiking experience. Accommodation is in comfortable rural guesthouses and budget hotels, and local restaurants serve up the same espencat, paella, and regional wine you'd enjoy on the commercial tour. Estimated cost is around £620 per person — a saving of over £850 on the Exodus price.
Day-by-day
Arrival in Guadalest / Benimantell
Guadalest / Benimantell
Make your way to Benimantell, the small village that serves as the ideal base for this hiking week. The easiest route from the UK is a flight to Alicante (well served by easyJet, Ryanair, and Vueling), then a local bus or shared taxi toward Benidorm, followed by a local CV-70 bus or taxi up into the mountains (~45 mins, £8-12). Check in to your rural guesthouse and spend the evening with a self-guided stroll around the nearby Guadalest reservoir and castle village. Head out for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant — try the espencat (roasted aubergine and peppers) and a glass of local Alicante red.
🚌Fly to Alicante; ALSA coach to Benidorm (~£5); local taxi to Benimantell (~£8-12)
🛏Casa Rural El Trull or similar guesthouse in Benimantell (~£25-35pp/night)
- →Fly into Alicante Airport (ALC) — easyJet/Ryanair from ~£40-80 return
- →Take the ALSA bus to Benidorm then local taxi/bus to Benimantell (~£10-15 total)
- →Self-guided walk around Guadalest village and reservoir
- →Welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Guadalest or Benimantell (~£15-20 including wine)
Penya Roc & Racó de Tovaines Circuit
Penya Roc / Orxeta
A full day hike exploring the Racó de Tovaines gorge and the dramatic limestone formations of Penya Roc. Download the route on Wikiloc or AllTrails before setting off — search 'Penya Roc Orxeta' for well-reviewed GPS tracks. The circuit takes in the Castellets Ridge, passes through El Salt, and returns via the Pas del Comptador. Total distance approximately 16-18 km with around 900m of ascent. Pack your own picnic lunch — buy supplies the evening before from a local supermarket (bread, cheese, fruit, nuts). Wear solid hiking boots and carry 2+ litres of water.
🚌Drive or taxi to trailhead (~£5-8 shared); return on foot or by taxi
🛏Casa Rural El Trull or similar guesthouse in Benimantell (~£25-35pp/night)
- →Download route on Wikiloc or AllTrails: 'Penya Roc Orxeta circuit'
- →Hike through Racó de Tovaines gorge
- →Explore Penya Roc limestone formations
- →Walk El Salt to Collado Papatxi and return via Pas del Comptador
- →Picnic lunch on the trail (self-prepared, ~£4)
- →Evening meal at local restaurant in Benimantell (~£12-15)
Serrella Peak & Mallada del Llop
Serrella Peak
A challenging day ascending to El Contador and traversing the western ridge of the Serra de Serrella to the high plateau of Mallada del Llop ('the wolf's lair'). Along the way you'll find the fascinating Pla de la Casa snow well — a centuries-old ice storage pit carved into the rock. The descent is steep and rocky, dropping through forest roads back to the valley. Search Wikiloc for 'Serrella Mallada del Llop' to find GPS tracks. Total ~18 km, ~1,100m ascent. You'll need a taxi or hire car to get back from the descent point to Benimantell (~£10 shared).
🚌Taxi to trailhead (~£8-10); taxi back from descent (~£10 shared)
🛏Casa Rural El Trull or similar guesthouse in Benimantell (~£25-35pp/night)
- →Download Wikiloc GPS route: 'Serra de Serrella circuit'
- →Ascend to El Contador via marked trail
- →Traverse Serrella western ridge to Mallada del Llop
- →Visit Pla de la Casa historic snow well
- →Long descent via rocky terrain and forest road
- →Arrange taxi pickup from descent point (~£10 shared)
Puig Campana — North Face Ascent
Puig Campana
Puig Campana (1,406m) is the iconic peak of the Costa Blanca interior — its distinctive notched summit is visible from as far as Benidorm. Today you'll ascend via the north face, passing through Collao del Llamp and Collao Pouet, before reaching the summit with its jaw-dropping 360-degree views of the surrounding ranges and the Mediterranean coastline. Descend via Casa de Dios. This is a serious mountain day — around 1,200m of ascent over 14 km. Search Wikiloc for 'Puig Campana norte'. Start early (by 8am) to avoid afternoon heat and to maximise summit views.
🚌Taxi or hire car to Puig Campana trailhead near Finestrat (~£10-15)
🛏Casa Rural El Trull or similar guesthouse in Benimantell (~£25-35pp/night)
- →Download route: 'Puig Campana cara norte' on Wikiloc
- →Ascend north face via Collao del Llamp and Collao Pouet
- →Reach summit (1,406m) — 360-degree panoramic views to Costa Blanca
- →Descend via Casa de Dios
- →Picnic lunch at summit or col (~£4 self-prepared)
- →Celebratory cold beer in Finestrat or Benimantell on return (~£3)
Free Day — Coast, Chocolate & Altea
Villajoyosa / Altea
A well-earned rest day. Head down to the coast for a swim at Villajoyosa beach — its pastel-painted fishermen's houses make it one of the most photogenic towns on the Costa Blanca. Visit the famous Valor chocolate factory just outside town for a free tour and tasting. In the afternoon, hop on the TRAM (Alicante tram/train) from Villajoyosa to the whitewashed hilltop village of Altea (~£3 each way), where you can explore the old town's cobbled lanes, art galleries, and clifftop church. Head back to Guadalest for dinner at one of the village's excellent restaurants (~£20-25 with wine).
🚌Local bus/taxi to Villajoyosa (~£5-8); TRAM to Altea (~£3 each way)
🛏Casa Rural El Trull or similar guesthouse in Benimantell (~£25-35pp/night)
- →Local bus or taxi to Villajoyosa beach (~£5-8)
- →Morning swim at Villajoyosa's colourful waterfront
- →Visit Valor chocolate factory — free factory tour and tasting
- →TRAM ride from Villajoyosa to Altea (~£3 each way)
- →Explore Altea old town, church, and art galleries
- →Group dinner at restaurant in Guadalest (~£20-25)
Morro Blau via Solana de Gorgues
Morro Blau / Font Major
Today's hike follows the ancient Solana de Gorgues drovers' path up through high pastures to the summit plateau of Morro Blau, with views across the full Aitana massif. The route passes Font Major (a natural spring — fill up your bottles) and the wide open Foia Plana high pastures before the final climb to Morro Blau. The descent follows the dramatic ridge of Peña del Rastrell. Search 'Morro Blau Sella' or 'Solana de Gorgues' on Wikiloc for GPS tracks. Total ~15 km, ~900m ascent. A quieter, less-visited area where you're unlikely to see many other walkers.
🚌Taxi to trailhead near Sella (~£8-12); return by taxi or on foot to road pickup
🛏Casa Rural El Trull or similar guesthouse in Benimantell (~£25-35pp/night)
- →Download Wikiloc route: 'Morro Blau Solana de Gorgues'
- →Hike ancient drovers' path along Solana de Gorgues
- →Ascend to Font Major spring (refill water bottles)
- →Walk through Foia Plana high pastures
- →Summit Morro Blau and take in Aitana range views
- →Descend via Peña del Rastrell ridge
Aitana Peak — The Grand Finale
Aitana Peak
The highest peak in the province of Alicante at 1,558m, Aitana is the crown jewel of this hiking week. Today's route follows the northern slopes from Benimantell, scrambles through the narrow rocky gully of Pas de la Rabosa ('the fox's pass'), and explores the extraordinary Simas — a series of deep limestone fissures in the plateau. The long descent drops through pine forest to the Font del Moli spring. Weather permitting, push on to the actual summit for sweeping views over the Costa Blanca and, on clear days, all the way to Ibiza. Search 'Aitana norte Pas de la Rabosa' on Wikiloc. Total ~16 km, ~1,000m ascent.
🚌Walk from Benimantell or short taxi to trailhead (~£5); descent returns near Benimantell
🛏Casa Rural El Trull or similar guesthouse in Benimantell (~£25-35pp/night)
- →Download route: 'Aitana norte Pas de la Rabosa' on Wikiloc
- →Walk northern slopes from Benimantell
- →Scramble through Pas de la Rabosa rocky gully
- →Explore Simas limestone fissures on the plateau
- →Optional: summit climb of Aitana Peak (1,558m) — weather permitting
- →Long descent to Font del Moli spring
- →Farewell dinner at local restaurant (~£20 with wine)
Departure Day — Guadalest & Onward
Guadalest / Alicante
A final morning in the mountains. If your flight allows, take one last walk up to Guadalest village castle — the views over the turquoise reservoir are especially stunning in the morning light. Entry to the castle area is around €2. Head back to Alicante Airport via local bus to Benidorm (CV-70, ~£5) and then ALSA coach to Alicante airport (~£5). If you want to extend your stay, Alicante city and Valencia are both easy bases for a few extra days, with excellent transport links.
🚌Local bus to Benidorm (~£5); ALSA to Alicante Airport (~£5)
🛏Check-out — no accommodation needed
- →Morning visit to Guadalest castle and reservoir viewpoint (~£2 entry)
- →Breakfast at local café
- →Local CV-70 bus or taxi to Benidorm (~£5-8)
- →ALSA coach from Benidorm to Alicante Airport (~£5)
- →Optional: extend in Alicante city or Valencia
Self-launched vs. Exodus Adventure Travels
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus Adventure Travels | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£620 | £1,480 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £860 per person (58%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus Adventure Travels-style trips? Check them out here.~£620
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Hike Spain's Sierra de Aitana — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £620 per person for 8 days in Sierra de Aitana, Valencia Region, Spain. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus Adventure Travels?+
Yes — Exodus Adventure Travels charges around £1,480 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £620 — a saving of roughly £860 (58%) per person.
How long is the Sierra de Aitana, Valencia Region, Spain trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Sierra de Aitana, Valencia Region, Spain.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a hiking, adventure, culture trip through Sierra de Aitana, Valencia Region, Spain, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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