The Rugged Mountains of Alicante

What an incredible week it has been! I hope this blog captures the essence of our hiking adventure and shares all the wonderful moments we experienced. Additionally, I aim to provide useful information for anyone seeking an alternative way to destress and free their mind from constant worries. Stay tuned for the journey!

We ventured into the region’s hidden mountains, just an hour’s drive from Alicante Airport. This area feels like a different world, with terraced slopes adorned by charming small villages that ascend toward rugged limestone peaks rising over a thousand meters into the sky.

This was our fourth hiking holiday, and it did not disappoint. Armed with our maps and GPS, we arrived at our first destination, Tàrbena, just in time for a late afternoon beer. Juan, the owner of this super guest house, greeted us and showed us our room, which had fantastic views of the village, the mountains, and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. He was one of the most welcoming people we have ever met!

The village is surrounded by almond groves, creating a serene and authentic Spanish atmosphere. One of the aspects I cherish most about these getaways is immersing myself in the local culture and life in the mountains. Juan mentioned that the food we would be served was prepared using locally sourced ingredients and was delicious! Many of Juan’s dishes included foods Jamie and I had never tried, such as artichokes.

The next morning would be our first walk, and there’s nothing like an early start!  Juan explained that a wild Boar hunt was due to commence at 11 am, and we needed to be through the first 10K before it started.  With our picnic lunch safely packed in our rucksacks, I was keen to get past the hunting area as I didn’t want dinner eating my lunch.  Nor did I want to be mistaken for a wild Boar 😊

Apart from dodging the world’s best cyclists training in the area, complete with their tour cars, we made it through the day without any drama.  This wonderful first day’s hike set the tone for the rest of our holiday. We explored a variety of landscapes, including moorland, pinewoods, and orchards filled with oranges, lemons, almonds, and olives. The scenery was impressive, with huge limestone rocks rising dramatically to form sheer cliffs and deep valleys. Pine trees, shrubs, and early wildflowers clung to the rocky terrain.

After two wonderful days, we moved on to our next location.  A long, tough walk took us to the village of Castell de Castells, where we would stay for three nights in a beautifully restored nineteenth-century townhouse. This property had been in the same family for over 100 years. The winding, narrow, and steep streets created a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere. The only interruptions to the tranquillity were the church bells ringing every hour and every half hour!

Pilar, the owner, prepared the most delicious homemade evening meals, which we enjoyed in the intimate, softly lit vaulted cellar. We savoured local wine and engaged in wonderful conversations as we met other walkers on the same schedule. Before dinner, we watched the sun go down on the roof terrace with an ice-cold beer, feeling happy and relaxed. 

I’d now like to take a moment to explain why we felt so good and why hiking is helpful for mental well-being. After completing a tough walk, your body releases endorphins. When you combine this with nature, sunlight, and breathtaking scenery, your brain experiences a significant boost. Much research suggests that this activity can create a flow state of mind.

In a flow state, distractions diminish, and time appears to pass unnoticed, which makes it incredibly beneficial. Research has shown that flow is associated with decreased activity in brain areas linked to self-focus. This connection helps explain why experiencing flow can divert us from stress and worry, and I can personally vouch for its effectiveness. Other activities, such as sports, can have the same positive effect.

Back on track (excuse the pun), on our third transfer day to our last destination, we had two choices: the long walk or a shortened version involving a taxi ride.  We opted for the long route, and we weren’t disappointed.  Again, we were in awe of the scenery and a spa bath looking out onto the terrain we had just walked was a welcome luxury on our arrival.

Jamie and I laughed through dinner, interested in the menu options. We decided to start with pasta, which arrived looking like a five-course meal and also included three doughnuts each. Naturally, we chose the wild “bear” dish for our main course, which, as it turned out, was wild boar 😊. We had an unusual combination of bread, chocolate, oil, and salt for dessert. You might think this pairing sounds odd, as we did, but it tasted amazing. And if you’re horrified by our choices, vegetarian options were available.

Before I leave, I need to talk about our last hike. This trail covers all three surrounding gorges, including the famous Barrac de L’Infern (Hell’s Ravine). It’s a challenging route that requires a decent fitness level to complete. After the first steep descent and halfway up the ascent out of the first gorge, I seriously questioned my motivation, but it did improve. We encountered two Spanish guys at the foot of the third gorge before the final ascent. I was surprised that their rest stops included a couple of cigarettes, especially considering their climbing speed! This hike, often called the “Cathedral of Hiking,” was truly memorable.

For a week, life for us felt like a mountain rather than a beach but passing by the beach on the way back to the airport looked very appealing.

I headed home, feeling a sense of post-hike blues. My mind was no longer in flow, and this emotion seemed counterintuitive after a long hike; shouldn’t I feel revitalised instead of worn out? The truth is that, like hormonal shifts, my body needs time to adjust to being back home. The “Eat, Sleep, Hike, Repeat” routine had put us into the flow, which was fantastic during the hike, but transitioning back felt sad; I wanted to be back in the mountains exploring wonderful landscapes.

You’ll be pleased to know I’m fine now and raring to go!  But where to? With my new self-appointed job as a travel writer I could end up anywhere!

Until next time xxxx