Self-Launched: Hike Spain's Sierra de Aitana
8 days · Sierra de Aitana, Spain
Exodus charges £1,740
No-markup version: ~£590 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Experience the dramatic limestone peaks, ridge walks and sun-drenched valleys of Spain's Aitana Massif entirely on your own terms — no group tour required. Based in Guadalest throughout, you'll follow the same traditional footpaths and mule tracks past the limestone needles of Penya Roc, up to summits like Serrella, Puig Campana and Aitana Peak, and down through spectacular gorges to the Mediterranean coast. This self-launched version swaps the guided group for freely available trail maps, GPS routes (Wikiloc and AllTrails both have excellent coverage of the area), and a cosy guesthouse base — saving you well over £1,000 per person versus the Exodus price. All costs are approximate estimates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Guadalest
Guadalest, Alicante Province
Make your way to Guadalest, the charming hilltop village that will be your base for the week. From Alicante Airport, take the TRAM Metropolità d'Alacant line to Benidorm (around £3–4), then a local bus or taxi (~20 mins, £10–15) up to Guadalest. Check in, stroll around the castle village and reservoir, and grab dinner at one of the local restaurants in the valley. The area has excellent tapas bars serving traditional Valencian food.
🚌Fly to Alicante (ALC); TRAM line to Benidorm (~£3–4), then local bus/taxi to Guadalest (~£10–15)
🛏Hostal Rincón de Pepe, Guadalest — or similar guesthouse/rural casa rural in the valley (~£30–40pp/night in a shared or double room)
- →Explore Guadalest village and its Moorish castle (entry ~£3)
- →Walk to the reservoir viewpoint (free)
- →Dinner at a local restaurant in Guadalest or Benimantell
Limestone needles of Penya Roc — 13 km
Racó de Tovaines / Benimantell
Head to Racó de Tovaines (a short drive or taxi from Guadalest, ~£5–8 each way) to begin today's 13 km walk. Follow the trail up through El Salt to Collado Papatxi, taking in the soaring limestone towers and needles of Penya Roc. The Castellets Ridge stretches dramatically towards Orxeta. Return via Pas del Comptador back to Benimantell. Download the route on Wikiloc (search 'Penya Roc Benimantell') before you go — it's well documented. Pack a picnic lunch from the village shop.
🚌Taxi or shared car from Guadalest to Racó de Tovaines (~£5–8 each way); walk back to Benimantell
🛏Hostal Rincón de Pepe or similar casa rural, Guadalest
- →Hike Penya Roc and Castellets Ridge via El Salt and Collado Papatxi (13 km, free)
- →Download GPX route from Wikiloc or AllTrails in advance
- →Picnic lunch on the ridge
Serrella Peak and the gorge descent — 17 km
Serrella / Rincón del Olvido
Drive or taxi to Rincón del Olvido (~£8–10), then ascend via El Contador (1,000m) along the western Serrella ridge to Mallada del Llop (1,361m). This 17 km route offers sweeping views across the whole Aitana range and, on clear days, the Valencia mountains. Visit Pla de la Casa, one of the Valencia region's best-preserved snow wells. The long descent is steep with rocky/scree sections — trekking poles are recommended. Finish with a taxi back to base. Pack lunch from the village.
🚌Taxi to Rincón del Olvido (~£8–10); taxi back from trailhead (~£8–10)
🛏Hostal Rincón de Pepe or similar casa rural, Guadalest
- →Hike Serrella ridge to Mallada del Llop (1,361m) — 17 km (free)
- →Visit Pla de la Casa snow well (free)
- →Picnic lunch with panoramic views
Summit Puig Campana — 18 km
Puig Campana, near Finestrat
Today's 18 km route is the most challenging of the week — a technical ascent of Puig Campana (1,410m) with some scrambling near the top. Take a taxi or drive to the northern trailhead near Finestrat (~£12–15). Follow the trail past Collao del Llamp and Collao Pouet before the final technical rocky climb to the summit. Reward yourself with 360° panoramas over the Costa Blanca and surrounding peaks. Descend via Casa de Dios. Good trail shoes or boots and trekking poles are essential. Return by taxi to Guadalest.
🚌Taxi to Finestrat/north face trailhead (~£12–15); taxi back (~£12–15)
🛏Hostal Rincón de Pepe or similar casa rural, Guadalest
- →Hike and scramble to summit of Puig Campana (1,410m) — 18 km (free)
- →360° panoramic views over Costa Blanca
- →Picnic lunch at summit or on descent
Free day — beach, tram or chocolate
Villajoyosa / Altea / Guadalest
A well-earned rest day. Head down to the coast for some relaxation. Villajoyosa (La Vila Joiosa) has a gorgeous beach and is famous for its Valor chocolate factory — free to visit the museum and shop. Alternatively, hop on the TRAM (around £3–4 return from Benidorm) to the beautiful whitewashed village of Altea for tapas, art galleries and the old town's blue-domed church. Return to Guadalest in the evening for dinner at your own pace.
🚌Local bus from Guadalest to Villajoyosa (~£2–3); TRAM Benidorm–Altea (~£3–4 return)
🛏Hostal Rincón de Pepe or similar casa rural, Guadalest
- →Visit Valor chocolate factory and museum in Villajoyosa (free/small charge)
- →Beach time at Villajoyosa or Benidorm (free)
- →TRAM to Altea — old town, art galleries and seafront (~£3–4 return)
- →Dinner independently in Guadalest or the valley
Xorta and Morro Blau via Solana de Gorgues — 14 km
Guadalest Reservoir / Xorta
Start at the Guadalest reservoir — a short walk or taxi from the village. Follow the newly restored traditional path of Solana de Gorgues, which climbs 700m to Font Major. From here, explore the high pastures of Foia Plana before reaching Morro Blau, a rocky prominence visible from many points on the Costa Blanca. Enjoy a packed lunch near the fire-lookout building before descending along the Peña del Rastrell ridge back to the reservoir. A wonderfully varied 14 km day with coastal views throughout.
🚌Walk or short taxi from Guadalest to reservoir start (~£3–5)
🛏Hostal Rincón de Pepe or similar casa rural, Guadalest
- →Hike Solana de Gorgues trail to Font Major and Morro Blau — 14 km (free)
- →Views of the Costa Blanca from Morro Blau
- →Picnic lunch near the fire-lookout
Simas limestone fissures and optional Aitana Peak — 15 km
Aitana Massif / Benimantell
The grand finale walk of the week. From the guesthouse, walk or take a short taxi to the northern slopes and Font de Partagat. Scramble through Pas de la Rabosa — the only natural break in the Aitana ridge — to access the summit plateau from the north. Lunch at the awe-inspiring Simas limestone fissures (up to 90m deep), a dramatic geological feature right near the summit. If weather permits, opt to climb Aitana Peak itself (1,558m — the highest point in the province of Alicante). Descend via Penyo Mulero to Font del Moli in Benimantell. A fitting end to a spectacular week of hiking.
🚌Walk from guesthouse or short taxi to Font de Partagat (~£3–5); walk descent to Benimantell
🛏Hostal Rincón de Pepe or similar casa rural, Guadalest
- →Scramble through Pas de la Rabosa to the Aitana plateau (free)
- →Explore the Simas limestone fissures (free)
- →Optional summit of Aitana Peak (1,558m) — highest point in Alicante Province (free)
- →Picnic lunch at the fissures
Farewell Guadalest — journey home
Guadalest / Alicante
Enjoy a final breakfast in the valley with views of the reservoir and Aitana Massif before making your way home. A taxi or shared transfer to Benidorm (~£10–15) connects you with the TRAM to Alicante city or direct bus services to Alicante Airport. If your flight is late, consider spending the morning exploring Benidorm's old town or the waterfront before heading to the airport.
🚌Taxi to Benidorm (~£10–15); TRAM or bus to Alicante ALC (~£3–5)
- →Final breakfast in Guadalest
- →Optional stroll around Guadalest village before departure
- →Transfer to Alicante Airport
Self-launched vs. Exodus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Exodus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£590 | £1,740 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,150 per person (66%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Exodus-style trips? Check them out here.~£590
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched: Hike Spain's Sierra de Aitana cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £590 per person for 8 days in Sierra de Aitana, Spain. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Exodus?+
Yes — Exodus charges around £1,740 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £590 — a saving of roughly £1,150 (66%) per person.
How long is the Sierra de Aitana, Spain trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Sierra de Aitana, Spain.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a hiking, adventure, culture trip through Sierra de Aitana, Spain, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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