- Enjoy views over the sparkling Mediterranean on each walking day
- Follow traditional footpaths through rugged mountain landscapes
- Make the most of the 300 days of sunshine found here on a late getaway
- Gain cultural insight from our local Spanish guide
![Sierra de Aitana](https://res.cloudinary.com/enchanting/q_80,f_auto,c_lfill,x_w_mul_0.56,y_h_mul_0.41,g_xy_center,w_360,h_270/exodus-web/2021/12/47904.jpg)
Sierra de Aitana Trek
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- Sierra de Aitana Trek
Reviews
Add your own reviewHidden gem near Costa Blanca
Really enjoyed this hiking trip. Often travelling to Spain but it was the first time for me to experience Sierra de Aitana. Very close to Costa Blanca but felt secluded and peaceful. Hikes are interesting and varied; not very demanding, but i guess this is more of personal view as all depends on person’s fitness and hiking experience (also the weather could be a factor). We started our week with rainy weather but finished with plenty of sunshine. Paths vary, some have lots of scree and stones, some approaches are very rocky…this variety keeps things interesting. I found some hikes were easier in terms of approach than expected but anyway José was always on hand. Hotel is located away from everything and this provides tranquility and peaceful environment…really enjoyable moments sitting on the terrace after hike soaking up beautiful views. Great service from friendly Raquel (the owner) who prepared our tasty meals and provided us with freshly squeezed orange juice. The sandwich lunches were impressive and this comes from someone who is not a sandwich person – freshly prepared with plenty of variety – very tasty and nutritious.
The highlight – hiking in the company of Bobby (the dog).
Most Inspirational Moment
Hiking Sierra de Serrella (my favourite hike, away from crowds, varied terrain, a bit of scrambling on the top, beautiful views). I also enjoyed Puig de Campana ascent.
Thoughts on Group Leader
José Miguel was very professional, well organised, approachable, upfront about hikes challenges and always on hand.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take hydration bladder (plus water bottle), thermos (if you like hot drinks at hotel /on hikes), hiking poles and plenty of varied layers; even at the beginning of May the weather was rapidly changing from rain / cold at the start of the week to rather hot weather on the final ascent. Note that there is no nearby shop, the closest village is about 1hrs walk or you need a taxi to get there. You can buy some local products at hotel - honey, olive oil, chocolate etc.
Great Trip
I wanted a challenging week in good company and that’s what I got.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent. It's great having a local guide who lives in the area.
Sierra Aitana-spectacular and challenging
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.
Most Inspirational Moment
Last day-reaching the summit with spectacular 360 degree views, including of the Med and interesting geology
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose was great in all respects
Advice for Potential Travellers
We agreed that this walk averaged out as challenging/5 rather than Mod/challenging 4. Steep rocky gradients at times. I felt I was slightly out of my depth on the downhills for the first time
A fantastic trip in an unexpectedly beautiful area
I loved this trip. The hiking was a great level for a sporty but relaxed holiday, with hikes that were just the right length and suitably varied. The scenery was stunning and the mountains weren’t crowded, we passed a few local hikers but were largely on our own. Jose the guide was so passionate about the area and was full of information about the plants and animals of the mountains.
Most Inspirational Moment
The Aitana Peak trip on the final day because the scenery was just glorious.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Fantastic. Jose was relaxed and friendly and great at accommodating different abilities and speeds within the group. He's full or passion and knowledge for the area. He's a great guide!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes and difficulty rating before booking (the trip was rated 4 out of 7 - Moderate / Challenging at the time we did it). For us this wasn't a tough hiking trip, but it was slightly more challenging that some of our fellow travellers expected. One frequent Exodus hiker said it was tougher than some other similarly rated trips he'd been on. Jose was great at making sure everybody had a great trip though and this didn't affect anybody's enjoyment, we stuck to a pace that suited everybody and Jose made sure we were all comfortable. Bring lots of layers as we experienced lots of different weather in February. Be prepared for beautiful scenery and great food!
Challenging Trek With An Excellent Guide and Support Team
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.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the summit of Puig Campana. This was a challenging walk but worth the effort as the panoramic views especially over the coast were stunning.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose was an excellent leader and guide. He was informative, approachable and very organised and had a good support team. Jose briefed us every day so we knew the detail and the challenges of the next walk and made sure we were prepared. Jose's sandwiches which he made for us every day are rightly legendary as is his paella. He made recommendations and arrangements for each of us for our free day and even ferried us around. Nothing was too much trouble.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The weather was clear, dry and the right temperature for walking but taking many layers is the best approach as it can cool down quickly out of the sun. It is strenuous in parts so you do need to be fit, have a head for heights and have some good boots.
Outstanding week's walking with a great guide and a relaxed environment
This is a great week’s walking in a little-known (and underrated) part of Spain. The Aitana range is a compact set of mountains so you get to tick off almost all of it, and there are great views from the top of all the peaks, out to the coast and across to the surrounding peaks. Most of the walks are reasonably demanding, but also rewarding.
Being based in one location, with very short transfers (or none) for each walk makes for a very relaxing week aside from the walking. It’s also a fairly short transfer to/from Alicante Airport.
The vast majority of meals are included which makes it much better value than some other (apparently similarly priced) holidays.
Jose the guide is exceptional: hard-working, helpful, supportive and deeply knowledgeable about the area.
Most Inspirational Moment
Personally I really enjoyed the Pico de Serrella day, as it had a very nice mix of different types of terrain, with lots of variation. The Aitana peak (the highest in the range) was also a great day. Although it's the highest point in the range, the approach to it was mainly fairly gradual and pleasant. The scramble up to the Pas de la Rabosa (including the squeeze through "Fat Man's Agony") was also good fun!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose was outstanding in every way. He knows the area like the back of his hand so there's no-one better as a source of information. But on top of that he was friendly, good-humoured and supportive, and we always knew we were in safe hands. And the sandwiches he made for the lunches were amazing!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Prepare properly for some solid days' walking with some tricky ascents/descents and lots of uneven ground. The raw stats on the itinerary may not look too intimidating, but the terrain makes it harder work than those would suggest. So if you want to enjoy it, make sure you've done some preparation! Be equipped with lots of layers to accommodate varying weather during the day. During our trip the weather was very good and there was no rain, but the wind can be a significant factor and going from a sunny, sheltered spot to a shady, windy part makes it seem like an entirely different climate. Also, make sure you take enough water bottles for your needs (or a bladder). In my opinion the "large water bottle" suggested in the trip notes is probably not enough (unless it's very large!). I had one 500ml and one 1L which seemed about right for me most days, although we went at a cool time of year, so I'd have used more in the summer.
Fantastic Adventure
Thank you to our leader, Chandra, guides Prasan, Sagar and Mingma and helpful group of porters for an amazing trek. Our group was also amazing, great company and full of interesting travel stories!
Most Inspirational Moment
No one moment stands out as overall the whole trek was fantastic, apart from perhaps the gruelling pass day, but that came with a great sense of achievement. I had never been to Nepal before and the scenery surpassed my expectations. Everyday the scenery changed and was stunning, from deep gorges, sunrises over the mountains to high plateaus and remote villages. The trek really does take you off the beaten track. The teahouses are therefore quite spartan, however the remoteness and spectacular walking more than makes up for some cold showers. Often a bucket of hot water to wash in was a much safer option! I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of food on offer and it was amazing how the teahouses produced 16 hot meals all at once on very limited cooking facilities.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Fabulous, always smiling and helpful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure you are suitably fit so that you can really enjoy the walking without too much effort. Especially lower down we frequently walked for 2-3 hours without an official break. However the pace is relaxed and there are so many photo opportunities that you don't really notice the distance. As one of our group advised, cut up a snickers bar into bite sized pieces so you can actually eat it at the top of the pass. Hydration tablets meant my water bottle was still drinkable at the top, even if more like a slush puppy! If just water most bottles had frozen over by the top of the pass. It is worth bringing quite a lot of snacks with you. Everyone says it, but really pack light. The down jacket I hired was really good quantity and kept me cosy in the teahouses at night and over the pass. If you suffer from poor circulation like me, I recommend hand warners inside "down" mitts with liner gloves. It was amazing to have warm hands all the way over the pass! I bought "down" mitts cheaply in Thamel before the trek.
Wonderful walks with a super guide
José is such an engaging and encouraging guide. The views from the tops of the mountains were fabulous. José’s explanations of the local area were wide ranging covering the history, agriculture and much more. The walks were at times quite challenging but José was very good at keeping us all together and ensuring everyone was able to manage the walks. His talks strategically placed for recovery on strenuous sections. The lunch sandwiches were fantastic (prepared by Josè). The hotel was comfortable and the food, which was substantial, was prepared by Raquel who runs the hotel. She was always very friendly and welcoming. We made use of the bar and terrace after the walks for a relaxing beer. Definitely take sticks as some downhill sections have loose stones underfoot.
Most Inspirational Moment
The 360 view from the top of Aitana peak was fantastic. I felt we were on top of the world with the sea visible on multiple sides.
Thoughts on Group Leader
José was amazing. Such a lovely character, kind, entertaining and extremely knowledgeable about the local area as he has been leading groups around Aitana for 25 years!
Advice for Potential Travellers
We hadn’t really walked much before this trip for various reasons, unusually for us. I’d recommend doing some long hill walks before you come to get your legs primed!
Excellent walking and superb guide
Jose was the best guide I have had in many Exodus treks. His lifetime of local knowledge allows him to have chosen the best possible walks, and to describe them very accurately in the trip notes. In hot weather the stops for him to show and explain features of the geography, history and flora were very welcome as well as interesting! His sandwiches were fantastic and added to the enjoyment of the day! The hostel was also perfect, peaceful and comfortable with delicious food and a terrace for drinks with views down to the coast.
Most Inspirational Moment
Achieving difficult walks that stretched my ability.
Thoughts on Group Leader
As above, Jose was exceptional.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be fit enough! The walks are tough, especially in the heat, and much more enjoyable if you have done a good number of ten mile walks before you go!
Great Trip - Superb Guide
A really enjoyable trek in spectacular surroundings. The trek was made so much more memorable by the local guide (Jose Miguel) who was: knowledgeable, friendly, well organized and provided some much more information about the local history and customs. Each day was a different trek from a central location which was itself friendly and provided good food. I would strongly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to enjoy the scenery of this region but with the support of an extremely good local team.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent. I have done a number of walking trips in Europe and elsewhere with good guides but Jose was the best that I have encountered.
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29 Sep 2024 29 Sep 2024
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06 Oct 2024 06 Oct 2024
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13 Oct 2024 13 Oct 2024
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08 Dec 2024 08 Dec 2024
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15 Dec 2024 15 Dec 2024
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05 Jan 2025 05 Jan 2025
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12 Jan 2025 12 Jan 2025
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09 Feb 2025 09 Feb 2025
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16 Feb 2025 16 Feb 2025
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23 Feb 2025 23 Feb 2025
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02 Mar 2025 02 Mar 2025
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23 Mar 2025 23 Mar 2025
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30 Mar 2025 30 Mar 2025
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13 Apr 2025 13 Apr 2025
Sunday Sunday
20 Apr 2025 20 Apr 2025
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27 Apr 2025 27 Apr 2025
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04 May 2025 04 May 2025
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25 May 2025 25 May 2025
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01 Jun 2025 01 Jun 2025
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01 Jun 2025 01 Jun 2025
Sunday Sunday
08 Jun 2025 08 Jun 2025
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Optional Single Supplement +312 €
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14 Sep 2025 14 Sep 2025
Sunday Sunday
21 Sep 2025 21 Sep 2025
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Optional Single Supplement +312 €
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12 Oct 2025 12 Oct 2025
Sunday Sunday
19 Oct 2025 19 Oct 2025
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Optional Single Supplement +312 €
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
26 Oct 2025 26 Oct 2025
Sunday Sunday
02 Nov 2025 02 Nov 2025
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Optional Single Supplement +312 €
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
09 Nov 2025 09 Nov 2025
Sunday Sunday
16 Nov 2025 16 Nov 2025
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Adult Price From 1 620 € Book with 405 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +312 €
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
23 Nov 2025 23 Nov 2025
Sunday Sunday
30 Nov 2025 30 Nov 2025
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Adult Price From 1 500 € Book with 375 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +312 €
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSunday Sunday
07 Dec 2025 07 Dec 2025
Sunday Sunday
14 Dec 2025 14 Dec 2025
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Adult Price From 1 500 € Book with 375 € deposit
Optional Single Supplement +312 €
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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