Sierra de Aitana Trek

The trip gave a great opportunity to see almond blossom in full bloom . The leader has years of experience and rearranged the walks according to changes in the weather for us to see the area at its best . It was great to take in the scenery on foot , and in good company . With my special dietary requirements , I could not have asked for more from the gluten free meals and snacks provided . The family run hotel was very welcoming.

A great week graded level 4 But I felt more like 4 to 5. The guide Jose was excellent and very professionally handled the helicopter rescue for an injured member of our party who tripped and injured his knee . Excellent dining at our small family run pension- coeliacs well catered for . Jose made superb varied sandwiches for lunch.

This was a really good walking holiday, with challenging walks and spectacular scenery. We liked the fact that it was based in one hotel as it meant you could settle into the hotel and weren't having to pack up and move on. There was plenty of things of interest and variety of walking in this one area to fill a week. Also helped by the fact that the hotel was very comfortable and the food great. We went to the coast on the free day which provided a good contrast.

A truly excellent week! This trip takes you to a relatively unexplored but beautiful mountainous area of Spain - most days we met no-one. The scenery was spectacular - stunning limestone cliffs, sea views, olive groves and traditional villages. Our guide was exceptional - Jose shared his local passion for the area he's grown up in; whilst also deepening our own appreciation of the area with his wealth of social, cultural and historical knowledge.

This holiday was both challenging and exhilarating. The scenery was spectacular and the weather perfect for walking in February. We had clear and careful guidance from our guide before and during the walks which probably helped the group to gain most from the experience (different goals for members of the group) Our guide, Jose, loved his local area and was able to add a lot of information and was very supportive of all.

A wonderful week of challenging walking in stunning limestone scenery. The November weather was perfect for walking, and we were not troubled by high winds on the summits and so were able to enjoy leisurely late lunches and take in the magnificent views. We stayed in the comfortable family-run El Trestallador Pension which had splendid views from the terrace down to the coast. The evening meals were more than adequate for a group of hungry and tired walkers and consisted of a variety of regional specialities. There were very few other walkers out on the hills during the week and it all felt very remote, despite the proximity to Benidorm.

This was an excellent week of walking. The paths are steep in some places but well defined and Jose guided us with care and attention on the challenging ascents and descents of the Sierra Aitana. The walks were well-paced by Jose but the days are long so you do need to be fit. We trekked through a number of landscapes illustrating the historic and current use of the area and Jose with his local knowledge enhanced our understanding of how this area has evolved over the centuries as well as the current challenges. The views from the walks were amazing - one way you could see the coast from Alicante to Benidorm and beyond and the other the folding valleys and mountains of the interior. The skies were blue and the days sunny and warm and we experienced very little wind even on the summits. We were based at the Hostel Rincon de Pepe where we had a wonderful week being looked after by Raquel. The food was amazing and hearty (three courses plus wine). The terrace was also great place to have breakfast every morning as the sun rose out of the Med, as well as a beer or two after the walk as the sun disappeared behind the mountains.

Quite tough and long walks are rewarded by outstanding views over mountains and the coast (and later in the day by excellent regional food and wine).

This was a superb holiday in what was to us an unknown area of Spain. The area was full of historic sites and had excellent walking opportunities with some relatively demanding paths to the summits. The whole holiday was very well planned and coordinated and the short transfers to the start of the walks were appreciated as avoided sitting on a bus for too long. .

This is a wonderful trek through the Sierra de Aitana, led by the amazing Jose who is so knowledgeable about the local area. Using Rincon de Pepe as a base, and hosted by the wonderful Raquel, this week encompasses five tough, but very enjoyable, walks in the area. They range from walking from the base, through to starting in different places after a short drive. Each day starts with a lovely buffet breakfast - we were fortunate, in November, to be able to eat on a sun-drenched terrace each day. Jose, enthusiastic and passionate, leads the walks in an area he knows very well. Perfect packed lunches are provided and Jose's sandwiches are second to none: varied, tasty and with plentiful contents! Post-walk, there is usually a chance to grab a drink in a local bar, or head back to Raquel's - and her gin and tonics are definitely worth a try. Before dinner, which is always extremely tasty with good local wines included, Jose briefs the group on the next day's walk - and this is a great way of getting prepared for what lies ahead. I sincerely recommend the Sierra de Aitana trek. The rest day is perfect (after three day walks) and allows a trip to a nearby coastal town - for more walking, if you wish, or some superb fish. You may even choose to visit the chocolate factory (my partner and I didn't, but wish we had!) This trip is great if you want to explore a beautiful area, with varied walks and a wonderful host.