12 Apr 2009 - Paul and Jean Benimeli Walk

Our good friends Paul and Jean came to visit us for a few days, and we took the opportunity to show them one of our favourite local walks. And none are more favourite, than the aerials at Benimeli.

Its a short drive from Parcent to Benimeli, about 8 miles. We walk through the village and then steeply uphill to an abandoned village which makes a good "water stop". Then its another steep climb and scramble to the summit. Here we find a car park and picnic spot!!

Uphill again, this time on a tarmac road, to the aerials themselves. Then a lovely, level walk to the end of the ridge where we have lunch - with excellent views of Denia and the coast.

After lunch its back to the car park, downhill on the tarmac road for about a mile, then a nice walk around the hill followed by a downhill walk on a mosarabic trail to Benimeli. There is a lovely little cafe in the village square where we all had a welcome shandy.

27 Apr 2009 - Monday Club Green Horse

The Green Horse is always one of our favourite walks. It starts at the village of Benimaurell, which is half an hour drive along winding mountain roads. We walk through the village and climb for about half an hour to reach the ridge. Then its a lovely walk with views into the valley on either side. We have our picnic lunch at a rural restraurant, which is always closed on a Monday but we can use their picnic tables. Then its back along the side of the mountain to the village, which boasts two excellent bars. When the weather is good, it is quite difficult to better this walk.

20 Apr 2009 - Monday Club Fig Tree

We were not expecting many of the Monday Club on this walk, but we were expecting more than just Tom! Some of the group were on a walking holiday and many were in UK. At least one decided not to walk because the morning was overcast. Because we knew there would not be many, we offered to lead this walk which is not he most popular among the group. It is about 10 miles long. It starts at a bridge on the Parcent to Castell road, leads sharply uphill on a tarmac road (which is what many dislike about the walk). We have a break at a finca and then follow a rough track over the top to join a forestry type road to a very scenic lunch spot. Then its downhill again and back to the cars.

We were very lucky at lunchtime, when we spotted two wild boar. Just as we sat down, they broke from cover nearby. There was no undergrowth for them to head for, so we could see them running over the gorse.

Despite the overcast start, the weather was kind to us. We had a rain free walk, and even some sun at lunchtime. Just as we got back to the cars the rain arrived, though it was only light.