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WALK 1

Traverse of Montgo

Start/finish	Plana de Justa, near Xabia
Distance	15km
Grade	Strenuous
Time	6hrs
Terrain	Rough paths, some exposed, steep ascent and descent
Height gain	800m
Map	El Montgo Parc Natural (Terra Firma)
Access	Leave Xabia on the CV 736 Denia road. After passing the 6km sign look out for the Camp de Tir les Planes Denia shooting range on the left. Some park by a barrier after 200 metres but a sign warns that vehicles may be towed away so instead carry on for another 200 metres to park by the shooting range.
Note	This is not only a tough climb, starting very close to sea level, but much of the route is on awkward terrain of blocks of limestone demanding care.

Montgo sits aloof from the rest of the Costa Blanca mountains, towering over the towns of Xabia and Denia. Its isolated position means it stands out in any view to the north, where its vast bulk looms in solitary splendour. Seen end-on from Xabia, its long ridge hidden from view, it is an intimidating pyramid throwing down a fierce challenge, demanding to be climbed. This walk accepts that head-on before enjoying a long ridge walk and an exciting descent.

No walk in this book is more comprehensively signed. From the barrier at the entrance to the shooting club take the path signed ‘Ruta Campo Tir – Cim 3.5km, time 2hrs’. Follow the path into the scrub heading for the mountain, which is all too obvious in front as a disconcertingly steep ridge. Where the path meets a wider dirt road turn right, still aiming for the mountain and an information board. At a three-way signpost go left following the signs for the Cim. For the next two hours or so little is required by way of navigation. Simply follow the clear and stony path as it climbs relentlessly, weaving backwards and forwards across the slope. Throughout this first section Montgo itself blocks the view inland to the mountains and the walk is very much a maritime expedition with views up and down the coast.

The exposed shelf path to the summit

Eventually the path turns a corner and the inland ranges come into view from Calp to the Serrella. The path crosses an exposed shelf before a final short scramble where a sign reading ‘Sender Perillosa’ (dangerous path) points the way to the summit with its trig column. Thanks to Montgo’s solitary position the views from the summit are magnificent and uninterrupted in all directions, including along the ridge, which we now follow. The path descends to a tree and then drops again to contour the southern side of the ridge below a cross, the Creu de Denia, which can be visited by a diversion.

The path eventually crosses a low col and then drops to curl round a deep barranc to another col guarded by a solitary tree, where Denia comes into view. Drop down the path and traverse leftwards across the slope until you reach a junction with a path heading steeply down a gully and marked on a ground-level plaque to Denia. Take this. Initially the path is very steep and covered in loose stones. Fortunately the barranc soon becomes broader and the angle a little less precipitous as the path is able to make full use of its width. Nevertheless do not drop your guard too much; the lower section still has its moments and is exposed in places.

The path eventually comes to a T-junction. Turn left, signed ‘Raco del Bou’. Just as the path seems about to tumble into the swimming pools of Denia it reaches The Cami, which is wide and partly cobbled. Here head rightwards along the broad road, as it traverses high above the coastline in marked contrast to the wild mountain walking of just a few minutes earlier. At a fork take the upper option signed ‘Cova del Camell’.

After about 4km the Cami deteriorates into a narrower path and almost at the same moment the shooting club comes into view. The path continues round to the Cova del Camell where the walk has a final sting in its tail with a short, sharp ascent out of the barranc. After this the path leads across the plateau, passing an incongruous triangulation pillar, to rejoin the outward path.