FACT FILE:

Difficulty: Leisurely

Type of route: Circular. Track appropriate for motorised vehicles, bikes and hikers.

Length: 13.5 km

Approx. Duration: 2 hrs 50 min (if you haven't visited the castle and hilltop village yet, you might want to add an extra 1 hr to your total time)

Diff. in elevation: 200 m

Recommendations: Water, hiker's boots or sports footwear, hat or cap, camera.

Safety tips: Watch out for motorised vehicles. If you have children with you, be careful in the vicinity of the castle. There are high walls, lookout points and openings in constructions of this kind that are potentially hazardous.

Since this is a dirt track, it's ideal for walking or for mountain biking. It is recommendable to start from POINT 2 on the MAIN ROUTE, because it is less difficult from here and the scenery gets better as you go along.

From the start, the track ascends progressively amongst dry-farming lands, with carob trees and almond trees on each side, on neatly terraced slopes. The croplands soon come to an end and the track runs through pine trees, with alternating shady sections and more open parts with good views over the typical landscape of the SIERRA DE IRTA. One curiosity along the way is the sheer width of the stone walls bordering the track, made using a huge quantity of stones that were cleared from the croplands. There are occasional remains of ancient settlements here too. After leaving the numerous stonewalled terraces behind, there is a dry stream bed running parallel to the track, then a fork at a large pine tree, with a track leading down amongst the cypress trees to the CORRAL DE LA VIUDA (Widow's Corral).

This whole route runs through what we might call a dwarf palm plantation, because there are so many of them everywhere. This part is practically flat, with only gentle uphill and downhill slopes, all the way to the surprise appearance of the XIVERT CASTLE, an essential stop (see Route 6). The final part of the route is all downhill, with the sea on one side of the mountain slope on the horizon and the silhouette of the SANTA LUCIA AND SAN BENET CHAPEL back dropped against the sky. At times, when the sun is reflected against the CASTLE, the calm sea looks like gold, ideal for a few good photographs at least. The route then reaches POINT 3 of the Main Route and in only about 20 minutes along this section you finally get back to your original starting point.

HIKER´S RULES:

Do not light fires.

Bikes and motorised vehicles are not allowed on footpaths.

On tracks and roads where traffic is allowed, always walk on your left - hand side. If using a vehicle, always keep to the speed limit (20 km/h on track).

Do not leave behind or bury rubbish. Take it back with you.

Do not harm the route, the flora and fauna or the scenery.

If you take a dog, you should have it under control at all times.

No free camping is allowed.

Do not drink water from pools, dams, wells, etc.

Do not leave the market trail.

Always tell someone where you intend to go.