Alicante’s Rugged Mountains

Another wonderful holiday from Inntravel. Eagerly anticipated after the last couple of years, the walking was absolutely superb - if anything even better than we had hoped! This is a very quiet area despite being so close to the coast and the walks and views are simply stunning. Thank you Inntravel for such a well-designed walking holiday.

This was a very enjoyable walking holiday through limestone hills and gorges. Much of the walking was on good paths and tracks, although some sections of narrow, stony paths were more challenging. The walk from Tarbena to Castell was very enjoyable, particularly the section through the gorge. The Day 6 walk (Barranc de Racons) was outstanding. Although the walk down into and back out of the gorge looked a bit daunting, it turned out to be very enjoyable as the ancient Moorish zig zag paths were broad and set an an easy angle, giving outstanding views back down into the gorge.

We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday, walking amongst such stunning landscape. We were walking in April and were lucky with the weather - one wet day at the start and one misty day at the end and in between lovely sunshine and not too hot. We were looked after beautifully in the first two smaller hotels and the facilities of the larger last hotel allowed us chance to relax at the end of our stay. We added one night at the end in this hotel to allow us a day's relaxation reading and admiring the view! We upgraded to a Junior Suite in the last hotel and were delighted to have done so as the view from our balcony was stunning. Walking notes were excellent and we were particularly glad we had walking poles and flip flops in our bag on the day we had to cross a river as recommended in the notes!

TIPS: Opt for Junior Suite at Hotel Tarbena but not Hotel Alahuar. Consider getting a lift half way on Casa Pilar to Benimaurell walk - it's a very long day otherwise.

This was a wonderful holiday, spectacular scenery, lovely walks and a warm welcome at the hotels, all of which were excellent. At Tarbena Paco and his son could not do enough for us. The meals were quite simple but beautifully cooked with lovely salads. Pilar and her husband looked after us well at Casa Pilar, however we did not enjoy the meals here as much. There was a lovely bar behind Casa Pilar run by an English couple. Hotel Alahuar is bigger but the rooms were lovely and the food excellent. We upgraded to a junior suite which was well worth the extra. The walk instructions were good and most of the routes are way marked and quite easy to follow. I downloaded the routes on to my phone which was really helpful when we were unsure of the route.

It is difficult to pick a favourite walk as they were all enjoyable. I think our favourites were the walk from Tarbena to Castell de Castells, the walk to the Moorish watchtower and the walk from Castell de Castells to Benimaurell. Unfortunately the weather was very wet on the last day so we only managed to do the first bit of the Barranc de l'Infern walk but the gorge is spectacular. The cave paintings at Castell de Castells are well worth seeing and the museum in Castel de Castells is very informative.

This was a wonderful holiday in an area which many walkers do not immediately think of visiting. Although it is easy to get to when we visited (March) it was very peaceful. The hotels and food were terrific and everybody we met was friendly and helpful. The scenery is spectacular and the walks were the perfect level of stretch.

We really enjoyed this Inntravel walking holiday. The countryside was far more spectacular than expected and the walks were varied and with options that allowed for plenty of flexibility to see scenery, historical sites and beautiful areas.  The hotels were really welcoming and hugely helpful. Pilar at Casa Pilar was exceptionally helpful (and a very good cook!). 

Our arrival coincided with the worst rain the area had seen in decades which could have caused us some problems. However, it cleared up very soon and we managed to do all the walks. However the "dry river bed" crossings were definitely not dry in a number of places. 

The walk notes are a real strong point of Inntravel holidays and it is wise to read them carefully to allow you to really plan out the day. 

Unfortunately we had unprecedented bad weather. Only our last day was dry with visibility of more than 100 yards. On several days the rain was heavy and persistent all day while on others it varied from drizzle to heavy showers. There was a lot of standing water and some footpaths had turned into streams. It is therefore not really possible for us to comment on the quality of the walking. We did manage some short walks mostly making our own routes along tracks and quiet roads, helped by being provided with large umbrellas by Casa Pilar.

Nevertheless, we enjoyed staying in the three villages. We had our morning coffees in the local bars where everyone was friendly and even apologising for the weather. Every room we had was comfortable and warm, so our wet clothes dried quickly. All the meals were good though we particularly enjoyed those prepared at Tarbena. We travelled to Benimauli with our luggage taking a minor road because the rain had caused damage to the main road. We had been there only 24 hours when we had to return to Castells because there was a danger of the minor road becoming impassable. Inntravel kept us well informed and Casa Pilar looked after us well, collecting us and our luggage and providing the last two nights accommodation.  

The landscape and scenery were outstanding and the lack of people around made it a really unique experience. The notes were generally excellent. I think it was an ideal trip for a solo traveler looking for some alone time as I was.

A very warm welcome awaits on this wonderfully varied circuit through the almond and olive groves with superb views over the mountains and the sea. With ridge walks, gorges and beautiful valleys to explore the scenery is breathtaking and the delicious home cooked food using local ingredients is highly appreciated. Every day is different but we especially enjoyed the walk from Tarbena to Castell (long version) and the walk from Castell to Benimaurell.

Magnificent scenery and a wonderful release from February UK weather into bright and sunny days in clear fresh air. Two lovely quiet hotels with great personal service in friendly villages and one more upmarket with great food.

This was a wonderful introduction to a dramatic rural landscape just a few miles inland from the Costa Blanca - from some viewpoints it was possible to look down on the coastal resorts and even out to Ibiza. We went in early February and were delighted to see on the hillsides the almond trees covered in beautiful pink blossom (and on our way up there, on the coastal plain, all the oranges trees covered in fruit.) The temperatures were ideal for walking during the day, but it was chilly at night and early morning. The quality of the walks and and the views from them were amazing and it's hard to choose a favourite walk, but we both particularly enjoyed the walk up to El Castellet from Castell de Castells. We were made very welcome at all three hotels but especially by the first two, as others have said. The included dinners at all three hotels were delicious, and we requested picnics from the 1st and 2nd hotels which were great. We hired a car at the airport and drove to the last hotel, where we were able to leave the car, and got the taxi round to the first hotel to start the walk. This meant we had the use of our hire car at the last hotel, so after our Day 6 walk, we drove down to the coast for an aperitif, before returning to Benimaurell hotel for dinner. We also (and independently from Inntravel) added on a couple of nights in the city of Valencia afterwards which we enjoyed. A really lovely holiday.  

This was an excellent holiday. The walks were as said earlier, challenging, but that in itself was a pleasure. The scenery was spectacular and what a relief not to have to cater for ourselves! Each day brought a new high point!

An excellent walking itinerary that is a great introduction to the mountains and countryside in Alicante The rural hotel accommodations were both friendly and welcoming and offered a very relaxing stay. The highlights were the the home cooking at Casa Pilar and the final walk arround Benimaurell, the Barranc de I'Infern, which was spectacular.

Our last minute walking in November turned out to be very enjoyable. The hills are alive with bees feeding on the heather, gorse, rosemary and thyme. You need to have multiple layers of clothing as the temperature varied from freezing to 18 deg C. Solid boots rather than lightweight walking shoes are we think essential, and poles helpful. Lack of heat haze allows spectacular views.

All the places one stays are very welcoming, and diligent about Covid precautions, but Casa Pilar is the highlight. We paid extra for the room with a terrace at Hotel Aluhuar but this is of little benefit in November and the building carries the noise of your neighbours with complete clarity in the small hours. Like the bells of Tarbena which make sleeping difficult, as others have written. 

Walking instructions as usual are excellent - but the Barranc de l'Infern route was problematic after the heavy overnight rain we experienced. We turned back early as a section of the path was very slippery towards the first gorge – and we surmised it would only get worse further in.

It is worth saying that on 5 of the 6 days the weather was perfect for walking - albeit an earlyish start is recommended because the sun drops behind the mountains around 3.30. Our hosts were happy to provide breakfast earlier than advertised.

Wonderful holiday which far exceeded expectations. We booked this holiday last minute and only chose it given there were limited walking holidays available in November. We were so amazed at the beauty of the mountains, and the feeling of solitude and remotness, when so close to Benidorm. The walking note were, on the whole, very good (some tracks had changed but they were easy to locate) but I was grateful that I had downloaded the gps maps onto my phone. All accommodation was good - the rooms were clean and the meals were delicious. The owners of the first two hotels were delightful.  This was the first time we used Inn Travel. We will definitely use them again.

The walking was very good exercise and the views spectacular. Swimming in some of the water bowls was great. We loved the hotels in Tarbena and Castells: both small unspoilt villages.

The title of the walk, Rugged Mountains, is very accurate!  A few stretches were challenging but the views were always worth the effort.   Both Paco and his son and Pilar and Juanjo were extremely welcoming, helpful and friendly and the two accommodations were very comfortable.  Hotel Alahuar was also very comfortable although obviously less personal.  We thoroughly enjoyed the week.

Excellent walking holiday - I believe I was the first customer to walk this route since Feb 2020 and was the only guest in the first 2 hotels so hopefully that improves quickly for everyone. All were friendly, welcoming and the food and wine were delicious. The routes themselves were excellent and i fully enjoyed every one. Will not hesitate to book with Inntravel again

We thoroughly enjoyed the walking on this holiday which was quite varied although some of the paths are quite vertiginous and very loose underfoot in the gorges and we would definitely recommend using poles and full walking boots. We would also recommend using a 2 litre hydration bladder to carry enough water for the day. Although the almond blossom had finished, the apple and cherry trees were in full bloom and there were lots of wild flowers and birds of prey. The views are stunning and on most of the walks we met no-one at all - it's hard to believe that Benidorm is only half an hour away! We relied on the hotels for packed lunches as the shops are shut Sunday and Monday and there is only one tiny tobacco shop in Castell de Castells with very basic supplies and erratic opening hours.

The walking was wonderful, very scenic and varied. The notes were excellent and early March was sunny and warm but not too hot. As in the other reviews Hotel Tárbena and Casa Pilar were very welcoming and helpful and good choices. However, village church bells ring throughout the night, so ear plugs may be useful! Hotel Alahuar was disappointing and very different, not very friendly or much atmosphere and the bathroom was in a bad state, it was certainly not a 4-star hotel. However, the walking from this hotel was fantastic and the final longer walk one of the best. Overall a great holiday with some of the best walks we've done.

A thoroughly enjoyable holiday.

Beautiful and peaceful walking off the beaten path. Be prepared for rocky paths with many uphills and downhills. You may want to take walking poles. The towns you will stay in are tiny, and most shops close between 2:30 and 5:00, so there's not much to do after finishing your daily walk. CASA Pilar had a nice sunny terrace and cold beer available. Casa Pilar was definitely the highlight of the trip. Excellent room and delicious meals at a communal table where we had good conversation with other travellers. It's definitely helpful to have some Spanish for this trip. We were there the first week of March and the weather was variable. At times it was very windy and cold and other times warm and sunny, but we were able to complete all walks.

Great walking in a lovely area. At the end of February it was very quiet, on some days we saw no one when on the walks. Not a problem for us but worth being aware of. An opportunity to get to know an area that is not on the usual tourist trail and very enjoyable. The longer option of the final walk was tough but well worth it. Be aware that the church bells at Tárbena can be a disturbance at night but we got through it, as did other guests.

We were told that this is one of Inntravel's most popular holidays. It is easy to see why. Relatively easy to access - especially compared with the other winter walking options like the Canary Islands - with short flight times and transfers. The popularity of this holiday does mean you may get to meet lots of your fellow Inntravellers. The welcome at Hotel Tarbena and Casar Pilar was superb. The difference being that the food at Tarbena was mediocre whilst at Casa Pilar it was excellent. We also really liked the Alahuar. Yes, it is different and it's part of a chain. However, there are truly excellent breakfasts and interesting and tasty dinners. The location is superb with great views from the terraces. The soundproofing in the main hotel was not so good and so upgrading to one of the annex rooms would make sense. The last day's walk in the Catedral del Senderismo was superb and should not be missed. The other walks were good but had a fair amount of time on roads or concrete forestry tracks. None felt too demanding. Most importantly, it was amazing to be walking in beautiful countryside under blue skies in February. That, along with the friendly welcomes at all of the accommodations was what made this trip so worthwhile.

This was a challenging week with some long demanding routes but so worth it. This region in Alicante is rugged, peaceful and fascinating, full of interest, history and natural beauty. The scenery, views and changing landscape was a joy, and the routes provided everything you need for a most rewarding day's walking. Our highlights were the walk from Tarbena to Castell, and the tough circular ascents and descents of the Barranc De L'infern. Both walks extremely rewarding. 

This is a delightful holiday. Such a joy to be met by the Inntravel taxi and whisked up into the mountains to an authentic Spanish village, a truly genuine welcome at Hotel Tárbena and a world away from the coastal development. This is the second time we have done this trip and it didn't disappoint. We were a little too late for the full on almond blossom but the weather was glorious. A simple, charming and lovely week with perfect hosts, attractive villages, quite tough but rewarding walking with stunning views of a wonderful landscape. 

Our personal highlights were the walks around Tarbena and the walks between hotels. If you suffer from any kind of vertigo, you may find the easier of the gorge walks quite triggering on the second half ascent. Paco and his son were delightful at the Hotel Tarbena. At Casa Pilar the tapas dishes are delicious and just keep coming. We found this to be a beautifully quiet extremely rural holiday, and enjoyed the hikes very much.

Great walking - stunning views every day. Quite challenging walking - lot of concentration needed as pathways were often quite difficult and a lot of up and down - but we liked that - we needed a bit of a challenge! Lovely scenery and for February - and not wanting to go too far for a week - it was a great choice. The weather was amazing in the 20's with beautiful sunshine every day bar one. 

The scenery was spectacular and each of the walks was very different. Inntravel have managed to include a wonderful variety of terrain in a relatively small area. At times it felt like being on top of the world.

An excellent holiday ... the walking in this hidden spot of Spain was breathtaking . The weather was great and the almond blossom and sunshine such a good break from the wet windy weather back home.

A delightful area of Spain with good paths and accommodation. Paths are rocky and boots are a good idea (plus walking poles if you use them).

We particularly liked the two smaller hotels they were so personal and fantastic service. The location of all three accommodations was perfect particularly the last one in Benimaurel. The pace notes were very detailed we would have struggled without them as the map wasnt detailed enough needs to be 1:25,000. The flora and fauna was wonderful the almond blossom dates figs wild rosemary and thyme wafting their scent as you brush past and it felt really healthy and invigorating drinking the mountain spring water we would definitely book another Inntravel holiday.

This was our first Inntravel holiday and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Quite an eventful start as we arrived in Alicante just as Storm Gloria was building. At one point, we didn’t think the transfer up to the first hotel in Tárbena would get there! The hospitality shown from both Paco and Pilar (hosts at the first and second accommodation respectively) was just superb with fantastic food. Really enjoyable places to stay. After a couple of poor weather days, we had great walking conditions. The walks were fantastic, trip notes were very accurate and the area is just outstandingly beautiful. Highlights were the Tollos gorge walk and the final day Barranc de l’Infern which is stunning. Whilst the final hotel was very spacious & modern, we missed the very personal touch of the Hotel Tárbena and Casa Pilar.... the food definitely didn’t compare! Overall we were very impressed and look forward to planning our next Inntravel holiday.

Some great walks with lovely views. Wonderful area behind the Costas. We spent a very enjoyable afternoon in Alicante, due to a late flight, visiting the free castle and the museum of round the world ocean racing, also free entry. Our trip was slightly compromised by "storm gloria" but in a way it added to the adventure despite missing 2 days walking. Pilar is an exceptional host.

Beautiful walks and lovely traditional accommodation in the first two villages. Paco was a wonderful host as were Pilar and her husband. The food at Casa Pilar was excellent and very traditional. We thoroughly enjoyed all the walks. A note of caution for those who don't have a good head for heights: some of the gorges are steep with narrow paths. We like to take things at a leisurely pace and admire the scenery and wildlife along the way, which presented a bit of a challenge in January with the fading light on some of the longer walks. Loved the museum in Castell de Castells which really gave us an insight into the history of the area. The Cave Art was really interesting but it's worth arriving early before the coach parties get there. This is a beautiful, tranquil area and very traditionally Spanish. A whole different world from the more commercial towns on the coast.

Friendly people at the accomodation, Paco's welcome glass of wine a treat

Landscapes were stunning and a pleasure to walk through - good routes

A wonderful week of walking in late October/early November. Temperatures were in the low to mid twenties with sun and clear blue skies for the majority of the time (no rain) so perfect for walking. The area, although so close to Benidorm, is completely untouristy and off the beaten track. The scenery is fabulous. We really enjoyed all the walks but the final day Barranc de l'Inferno walk was epic! The walking was a bit more challenging than we'd expected, but having said that, we did manage everything with the exception of starting the Tollos walk at the end of the road near the rock paintings. A beer at the end of each day's walk was very welcome. The hospitality offered by Paco and Pilar and Juanjo in the first two private hotels was excellent. We bought lunch supplies from the bakery in Tarbena on Day 1 (get there early) but otherwise asked for picnic lunches from the hotels - Pilar's omelette baguettes are indeed very delicious!

We'd thoroughly recommend this holiday and hope to book another one with Inntravel soon!

Even though it was the end of a long dry hot summer, it was greener and there were more flowers and insects than we expected, adding to the beauty of the mountain scenery. It was a very hot week, afternoon temperatures were 25 - 29 in the shade if you could find any and it felt a lot hotter in the full sun. We found using umbrellas as a sunshade helpful in some of the hotter spells and had a rehydration sachet as our first drink every evening. We suffered no ill-effects from the conditions and enjoyed a memorable holiday in those 'rugged mountains'.

An excellent holiday in all aspects. Helped that the weather was wonderful so that the beautiful area that we were walking in could be appreciated in full. No real highlight as it was all delightful.

This holiday opened up a whole new area for us. The simple hospitality of local hotels was exceptional and the walks, sometimes challenging, gave us beautiful views of the surrounding countryside all the way down to the sea. All Inntravel regulars should include this holiday in their experiences.