FACT FILE:

Difficulty: Leisurely

Type of route: Circular. Dirt track, footpath, road.

Length: 10 km

Approx. Duration: 2 hrs 45 min

Diff. in elevation: 250 m

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

Safety tips: Watch out for vehicles on roads and tracks. 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.

This is a route that is not very difficult, but it does go uphill. The way to get to the starting point is by car along the N-340 towards Barcelona, pass by the Renault Dealer's in ALCALÀ DE XIVERT, and turn right (Point 4). The starting point is marked with wooden signs. Easy to find.

You start climbing to the CASTLE through the orchards that give you a good idea of the kind of agriculture popular here, mostly dryland farming. At first you come across orange trees and grapevines, a little higher up are the almond orchards, and the carob and olive trees. The track ends at the TEMPLAR'S FOOTPATH, a narrow, limestone path that leads to the CASTLE, circling the mountain from west to east along the northern face. Here you will find two pine trees areas providing some welcome shade on sunny days, and lots of typical vegetation and shrubbery: honeysuckle, mint, rosemary, thyme, wild asparagus and kermes oaks... There is a strong pine scent all along the way. Just after the second grove of pine trees, almost at the end of the ascent, you should look back to see the CASTLE awaiting you. This is a spot for some photography, as you have a bird's eye view of the colourful geometric patterns of the fields and terraces below towards the west.

Then you arrive at the end of the path, onto a road suitable for vehicles. You can go straight to the CASTLE in front of you, but it's best to follow the footpath a bit longer towards the south to the RECREATION AREA just a few metres on, where the wooden signs will indicate a footpath from which you can get a better overall view of this monument.

The initial view will give you an idea of the importance of this CASTLE in past ages. It spans two of these - the Moorish period and the subsequent Christian period, with two round towers highlighting this sturdy construction, and a VILLAGE area on the south-eastern face of the mountain, which was also walled, with houses and winding streets typical of the Moorish period. All in all, this makes for a wonderful stroll, including castle, houses and pine trees. The first human settlements here date from the 14^th century BC.

The XIVERT CASTLE has been partially restored, but it still has all the austerity and enigmatic beauty of an archaeological site in ruins, a doorway onto the past. When you're fully satisfied, you can continue along the footpath and in around 20 minutes you'll come back to the main route, along the descending path overlooking the sea, with the SANTA LUCIA CHAPEL in the foreground, on the mountain slope, with the geometric backdrop of the croplands below. Once you come to the main route, (Point 3), turn right to get to your starting point (4). On the way back you can see the FRENCHMAN'S CROSS and the CALVARY CHAPEL.

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.