Jalon Valley
The Jalon Valley is a walker’s paradise ranging from a very gentle stroll to a six hour walk around the Sierra Bernia mountains to the south of Jalon.
Jalon is the capital of the Jalon Valley, also known as the Vall de Pop (Pop Valley), situated beside the River Gorgos, in a plain, surrounded by the Sierra de Bernia and the Sierra del Forner mountains. Jalon boasts some of the most magnificent scenery in Spain, with its landscape of olive and pine trees, intermingled with orange groves and vineyards and its remote villages of Jalon, Alcalali, Lliber and Parcent.
The town is located some 14 kilometres or about 20 minutes drive from Benissa and Moraira.
Ecological Path Benissa-Costa
The Paseo Ecológico (Eco-Trail) is the best trip along the coast of Benissa. The starting point is the "Tourist Info Benissa Playa - Aula de la Mar" (Tourist Office-Sea Rooms) services that operate in the "Casa dels Cent Vents" (House of the Hundred Winds). The trail consists of two routes: south and north, and runs all along the coast with information panels describing local customs and history, the varied flora and geographical aspects of the coastline, and offers an easy and attractive walk.
Montgo
Known as the elephant, the Montgo is an impressive mountain lying between Denia and Javea. Why the elephant? If you look at the incredible shape of the mountain, which seems to loom from the sea to caress the sky, you will see it looks like an elephant with its head and trunk clearly visible.
It’s a photographer’s dream as the rock formations change color with the light and has inspired thousands of pictures and paintings particularly at sunrise or sunset.
The Montgo, at 735 meters at its peak, also provides a challenge for walkers, hikers and cyclists. There are various paths to take to explore the Montgo, some are easy and one is particularly tough, but all visitors will be rewarded with fabulous sea views. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Balearic island of Ibiza.
Sierra Bernia
Sierra Bernia is a beautiful mountain stretching 11kms from the coast between Callosa d’EnSarria and La Punta de Toix. In the 16th century Felipe II ordered a fort to be built on the mountain to protect it from marauding Moors and pirates. Today, it is prime wine country with vineyards dotted around the mountain.
It’s a popular challenge for walkers and cyclists who are rewarded with fantastic views when they reach the higher points. The cherries grown in the area are also said to be the best in the region. The locals argue that the higher the cherries are grown, the better they taste. The same argument could also be applied to the wines.
How to get here: Take the Jalon (Xalo in Valenciano) turning off the AP7 or N332. In the centre of Jalon, there is a roundabout with a signpost to Bernia, follow the Carretera Xalo-Bernia, which can be winding, up the Sierra Bernia.