COSTA BLANCA MOUNTAIN WALKERS - WALK DESCRIPTION

Walk description originally prepared by:- Jean & Bob Hall hallbobandjean@aol.com

Last Updated Jan. 2012

Title of Walk SIERRA AIXORTA CIRCUIT

Location of Start km7 on CV752

Key Statistics for walk - Distance in km 8.8km – 10.0km

Key Statistics for walk - Ascent in m 200mtrs. – 350mtrs.

Key Statistics for walk - Walking time and

total completion time including any stops

3 ½ hrs.

4 ½ hrs.

Key Statistics for walk - Grade M/B

Grid reference of start point 745630E 4287456N

Directions to Start Starting from Tarbena drive 0.5km up the road in the direction of Col de Rates to the crest of the hill and take the LH surfaced road to Castells. (CV-752). Drive a further 7km (in 2012 at Km. 7 sign) to a broad straight track going L. (S). Follow this main track for approx 5 km, passing the sign to Ajub del Xarquet on LHS. and continue as it zig zags up to the start. (Steep sections surfaced).Park where the road comes to a T junction. There is a signpost indicating Font dels Teixos 3.3 km.

Short walk description

Full Walk Description

This is a particularly satisfying and interesting walk once the possible obstacle of accessibility to the start is overcome. It is a high level walk both snowier in winter and slightly cooler in summer. The nonstop succession of views is superb and on a really clear day the islands of Formentera and Ibiza are visible some 100 km to the ENE. Dels Teixos is a delight, particularly on a hot day as it combines a north face, shady trees and cool water. A hut in which to shelter generally seems to be open and makes it a very pleasant place to wait while the less relaxed of the party climb the summit. The ascent of Penya Alta (Aixorta) from here is fun and not too arduous and rewarded with vertiginous views and an optional short “ridge scramble” to the W. Subsequent visits to the Nevera, (ice pit), and Morro Blau are interesting and there is the challenge of pathfinding to and from Font Major to come. At the end the cave’ (ice pit?), is curious and well worth an “end of walk” push. A local bar would create perfection but Castells and Tarbena are not far. 70% good tracks. 30% poor paths.

COSTA BLANCA MOUNTAIN WALKERS - WALK DESCRIPTION SIERRA AIXORTA. NOTE: TIMES QUOTED ARE WALKING TIME ONLY – NO BREAKS. UNDERLINED LETTERS ARE MAP REFERENCES. Elapsed Walking Time/ Distance so far Walk eastwards along the track beneath cliffs of the Sierra Aixorta on your R ignoring track off down L. Pass a green water tank on your R A. (30 min 2.1km) 30min 2.1km Continue round a sharp LH bend and arrive at a Y junction with sign post B. (6min .4km) 36min 2.5km Here take the spur track up to the Font Dels Teixos C. (2 min .1km) 38min 2.6km To climb the summit; take the path from behind the hut up to the col D. (11min .4km) 49min 3.0km From col bear R and follow the Y/W way markers for the best route up to the summit E. Superb views and vertiginous drop to the N well worth effort. (10min .3km) 59min 3.3km The ridge to the W presents an optional scramble. Return to the col. (10min .3km) 1h 9min 3.6km From the col there are two options: 1)Return to the Font to rejoin the “relaxed” group and complete the walk via the summit of Morro Blau. (11min .4km) 1h 20min 4.0km 2)Take the path in the opposite direction (SW) which will lead down to farmers fields. Cross the fields to reach a track F and follow instructions for main walk. See below at 6.9km. From the Font retrace steps to main track and sign post B to Morro Blau. (2 min .1km) 1h 22min 4.1km Turn R. Follow direction to Morro Blau reaching Y junction with signpost G. (8 min .5km) 1h 30min 4.6km Here we do not follow direction to Morro Blau instead we bear L and down and sharp R to cross a streambed, (usually dry), and start climbing again. Now watch out for a pinnacle of rock nearby on the right as this indicates the position of the Nevera, which is just before reaching the pinnacle close by the track on your LHS. Continue on the main track, which turns and reaches the hut and Trig point of the summit of Morro Blau H. (1125meters). (30min 1.3km) 2h 5.9km Continue on the main track through an area of cultivation, sometimes dug up by wild pigs, to start descending and reach a sharp RH bend. Continue and shortly after find a track going off L (13min 1km) 2h 13min 6.9km (Those taking the short cut from the col below the summit of Peny Alta rejoin the walk along this track at Map Ref F) Turn L along the track, which soon becomes a path descending old bancales on the LHS of the valley. (4 min .1km) 2h 17min 7.0km The goat paths tend to multiply but your next mark is a small ruined finca by a rocky spine ahead and to the R. (5 min .6km) 2h 22min 7.6km Your path skirts the Southern base of this spine, but by all means visit the finca with its old shady walnut tree on the way. From the base of the “spine” look down and R to sight Font Major with its water always running from beneath a large boulder J. (Image deromanticised by old bathtubs.) (7 min .3km) 2h 29min 7.9km From the Font there is no clear path. Head NNW and use your path finding skill to climb steeply up. Eventually a knoll topped by flattish rocks will come into view. Aim for this knoll. As you crest the W side of the knoll sight a ruin to the WNW nestling under the mountain. This is your next objective to which a fairly visible goat path curves around the contour K. (24 min .8km) 2h 53min 8.7km From the ruin follow an overgrown, rough track, which reaches a chain barrier with the” White Casita” close ahead. (10 min .5km) 3h 3min 9.2km 4 Meters before the chain find the start of a feint path climbing up towards some stonewalls above which is the entrance to an interesting cave M,(Cova del Cirer) which may have been an ice pit. (15 mins. Return .3km). 3h 6min 9.5km At T junction just before reaching the white casita turn R up main track to car(s).(10min .5km) 3h 16min 10.0km