Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

 Very difficult to pin point any 'one' thing as everyday had plenty of very fond memories. Scenery is really magical and whilst on the trail you often saw glimpses of valleys or ridges that we had either done previously or  were to be challenges in the days ahead .  If pushed then certainly the summit of Puig Campana was indeed a great finale to the week ...a great route to get to the top, and an even better one heading back to our base at Sella. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was a real character and makes great packed lunches!  His local knowledge was very impressive and love of the area was obvious.  He had spent huge amounts of effort in fine tuning the routes to maximise our enjoyment, and was able to give interesting anecdotes about rural village life past and present. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Only a small point  but here is not a lot of chances to buy any trail snacks ( or indeed anything)  so you might want to take some them out from the UK . On the other hand you might get the chance to sample the odd Orange as you pass by a grove! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Great views across the Sierra to the coast.Wonderful Spanish home cooking at Benimantell. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good fun, very knowledgable and clearly a local celebrity.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It might just about be a B/C grade, but it's pretty close to a C; there are a couple of longer days, there's the odd short scrambly bit and sometimes because the area is so rarely walked the trail is a bit rough. The trip notes describe the walks very accurately, so read those rather than just go by the grade. This is all good, but it's best to know what to expect. April and May departures are likely to be pretty warm, although there was always a breeze up on the ridges.

Most Inspirational Moment

A wonderful full body massage after some very challenging hiking.We did this trip 5 years ago and were so impressed we decided to do it again (we don't usually repeat a trip). But 5 years, two unreliable knees and a dodgy hip combined to cause some problems for me. I decided to forgo the hike up to the highest peak and after the first, easy 3 hour walk, sat in a sunny glade with my book to wait for the rest of the party. I figured I had done it once and had nothing to prove. I spent an enjoyable few hours chatting to passing hikers and bikers and one very elderly gentleman who wanted to try out his English. He could read English well but didn't know how to pronounce most of the words - we both had fun guessing what the other was saying.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

In a word - excellent. Jose Miguel is full of enthusiasm for this part of Spain - his home. Committed to the rural way of life and sustainable living. Very adaptable when the weather wasn't on our side.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take heed of the trip notes - this is not an easy stroll.Sadly, the weather was not as kind in March as it had been in late January 5 years ago when the sun shone every day. Be prepared for some rain in early season. 

Most Inspirational Moment

First day ( Sunday pm ) of arrival walking around El Castell de Guadalest after tapas, close our first hotel and seeing the landscape of walks ahead, and feeling the warm sun after the wet, wintry and cold of the UK.  Mid week walk from Benimantell guesthouse to next stay at Sella, and walking over Aitana, 1558 m , highest point of the week, and walking through a gap in the rocks from one valley to the other.Walk up Puig Campana 1408m , mountain that backdrops Benidorm, challenging , would class as the C walk, rest all B, was windy on our day, but dry and sunny, did not quite make the top due to conditions, zig zagging up scree slope challenging but expertly lead.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose Miguel an excellent guide , locally based in Sella, with a great backup team of local drivers, all working in the local community of Sella, your base for second half of week. Spoke excellent English, knows the area very well, excellent mountain guide, discussed topics of interest along the way, regularly checked group for level of happiness, made some warping 3 layered sandwiches for the lunches. Helps with the options for your free day. A TV star as was shown a DVD of him with Cameron McNeish in the area for a BBC TV Adventure programme.  A big plus for this tour, being lead by a local man.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ideal for regular hikers, anyone who can do Snowdon will find it ok. Definitely bring a walking pole or 2. And drinking water bottles, thirsty work in the warm sun. The almond blossom week went on added some pretty colour to the arid landscape.Free day options , I went to the coast, beautiful sandy bay of a Spanish resort of La Villa Joyiasa, colourful houses, quieter resort certainly in early Feb; train from here could take you to Alicante , or Benidorm ( if like skyscrapers on a sandy bay), or further up to Altea or Javea if time allows, I was happy just to stay and chill in the sun after the strains of hiking.

Most Inspirational Moment

reaching the top after a push and a shove  to go from the dark side to the flat light side of the peak!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was funny sweet and lots of fun  my did he walk FAST A very good sandwichmaker  he even pleased the vegetarian of the group  when i was cold in one of the stops  hotel  he made sure the heating was on for me  and got me blankets

Advice for Potential Travellers

Get fit  lose weight  be prepared for challenging uphill walking

Most Inspirational Moment

There were several inspirational moments on this trip. One was viewing the fascinating rock formations on the peaks nearby while also seeing the coast of Mallorca on the horizon. I shallalways remember the scent of thyme bushes as we walked along the paths, brushing them with our boots. On the final day we ended up at our leader's home and helped harvest olives together. That was a truly special and unique moment, when we felt we had not just walked as tourists in the region, but had been privileged to have been invited to share in a tiny way in the life of the local community

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was an excellent leader. He took great care to enable everyone to feel safe, informed and happy, so they could enjoy each day. When two walkers had blisters, after the first day, he put dressings on them himself in such a way that they were then fully able to do all the walks, with no further problems. He led in a warmly engaging and humourous manner, so everyone in the group felt relaxed. He is passionate about Spain and his home region and commmunicated this to group members. When we were in the coach from the airport, he produced grapes and raisins from his own garden - a thoughtful touch which we discovered was typical of his thoughtfulness and hospitality. We really gelled as a group and this was due mainly to Jose's outstanding leadership qualities.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trek is at the higher end of the B grade, so be prepared for one or two quite long, though beautiful, walking days. Walking poles would be helpful, as some descents are quite rockyand steep. You will need very little spending money, as wine is provided at the evening meals and you won't really come across any shops. Be prepared to be amazed - it is a world away from nearby Benidorm!

Most Inspirational Moment

4 climbs 4 amazing views.  An inspirational moment at the top of each.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The trip leader is Jose Garcia whose trekking expertise, local knowledge and great sense of humour make him an  excellent guide. If anyone is going to get you up the mountain he will!    

Most Inspirational Moment

14.00 Reaching the highest points on each day (up to1400 metres) and having the rare privilege of views across high mountain tops and then down into hidden fertile valleys that the casual visitor to Spain might be completely unaware of.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose the group leader was undoubtedly the making of this trip, his dedication to the cause was unstinting, always struck the right note, kept us all going and provided prodigious amounts of food and good humour. His communication with us was outstanding and provided a complete education in regional geography and history – with a light personal touch when needed, boring he is not. His vast experience of activity leadership in this region and elsewhere in Europe really shows. He shared his life with us for the whole week, to the extent of inviting us all to his home to pick his olives and drink tea on the veranda afterwards.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be lucky with the weather which at its best is fantastic for walking, but don’t worry if not. Bring a good appetite (good food is in plentiful supply and you may need it!). Make sure you are fairly fit, equipped and ready for regular but not excessively arduous high hill walking. Think Peaks, Lakes or Snowdonia without the mud. If you are going in the warmer months, have plenty of water carrying capacity and sun protection. As a minimum, light walking boots with ankle support are essential (not shoes or trainers) as are walking poles.

Most Inspirational Moment

The feeling of being so close to the crush of Benidorm, yet a million miles away was very special. On some walks we barely saw anyone else from beginning to end, and it really felt as if we were walking ancient trails.  On the day we went to the summit of Aitana, having tackled a bit of a scarey scramble and got through a slightly tricky pass, we lunched on a beautiful, sheltered patch of grass, almost a lawn, and Jose (our guide) produced a bottle of red wine he had carried with him to accompany our lunch.  It felt so strangely civilised in such a remote place.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose led the group with great local knowledge, unstinting humour, skill and sandwiches. Jose's sandwiches should be the stuff of legend: it became a challenge for anyone in the group to finish them, double-deckered and full of amazing Good Things.  Don't be misled when the trip notes say lunches will consist of 'a sandwich', these are sandwiches of epic proportions!!He also displayed marvellous hospitality, inviting us to his house in Sella - although there was a cost (we had to help with his olive harvest - hardly a chore!).  Jose was an absolutely integral part of the week's enjoyment.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take decent kit as the walks are 'proper'. That said, don't be put off by anyone that says the walks are tough - they're not a stroll in the proverbial park, but our group had quite a mixture of ages and fitness levels, and no-one really struggled.  I would recommend walking poles - I didn't take them, and could have done with them on some of the 'down's.The food in the hotels/guests houses is amazing, very local and very hearty.  You won't lose any weight on this holiday!

Most Inspirational Moment

Looking down the valley with a beer in our hands with fantastic company after an amazing 8 hour hike, sheer bliss!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jose was friendly, professional and his love and enthusiasm of Sierra was superb and we learnt so much and experienced amazing walks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As this was our first hiking trip we were so relieved to find we kept up with some very experienced walkers, and walking poles are great and help with the steep descents.