Approach: You
can walk from the main road junctions but the walk
is just as good if you drive up the surfaced road
signposted El Trestelador Restaurant, a short way
out of Guadalest (heading for the coast). Follow
this narrow
road, turning left at the T junction, it turns in
to a rough track after a short while. Park in one
of a few possible places on the side of the track,
just near
a small quarry above the track , and before
an impressive steep orange rock wall with caves
in it's base.
Follow this track up steadily, underneath
more rock walls and pinnacles (these form the
Northern slopes of Peña Roc) until you reach the
Paseo de Comptadores (counters pass) . This
is quite a common name for passes where they used
to herd sheep and goats through narrow gaps, counting
them as they went. Unfortunately this one has been
blasted to give access for vehicles. It used to be
a narrow slot just wide enough for people, mules,
etc to pass through.
Enjoy the views of the varied rock
scenery, and now views towads the coast at Altea
and Calpe. You are now at the head of the Barranc
de Arc valley that descends all the way to Sella.
However a few metres after passing the footpath signpost
you need to head on a very feint track on your right,
this skirts under the rock walls on the Eastern
side of Peña Rock. The path is marked by the occasional
red dot. Look for short scramble up to a rocky ledge,
follow the red dots up another broad gulley and after
a few further steep sections you arrive at two small
cairns.
You have a choice of routes here.
The easy way is to traverse around the ridge to the
South side of Peña Roc, dropping slightly to pass
a smooth rock wall before climbing again (on a path
well worn by goats), after this head up and then
back right to reach the summit ridge (this is the
main route shown on our map) . The more direct way
from the two cairns is
to follow up the steep rock wall on the North side
of the ridge until at the head of the gully you
scramble up on the left side to reach a shallow col
just next to the summit (shown by the dotted line
on the map) . Which ever route you take you will
be rewarded with great views, back down to the Passeo
de Comptadores, South to Aitana, East to the Puig
Campana with it's obvious notch, and North to Guadalest
and Serella.
In fair weather you can scramble
along the very top of the relatively broad ridge
as you head West, eventually though you will join
up with the track as it gradually decends, passing
some deep notches with views down to the Guadalest
Valley, Callosa D'en Sarria and the Bernia Ridge.
Keep descending until you reach a point where the
path starts to climb again. Here look for a very
small cairn and path leading of to the right and
towards some trees. This will take you back down
to your starting point. The path is very feint and
almost seems to disappear in places as you negotiate
trees, bushes and the occasional rocky step. After
you pass some impressive white cliffs it drops down
some fine scree towards some almond terraces.
At
this point there are several routes,so be prepared
to back track if required! The best way is to bear
right towards an impressive crag (above where you
parked) look for the occasional cairn and when
you arrive on the terraces walk to the Eastern end
to rejoin paths and tracks back down to your starting
point. It is also possible to head in a more North
Easterly direction towards an old quarry.
route profile
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map of route
signs at the pass
view from the ridge
scramble to the summit
Peña Roc photo gallery
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