What is hiking?
Hiking signals
Hiking (“senderismo”, in Spanish), is a non-competitive sports activity that is carried out by signposted roads and approved by an organization in each country.
Hiking is a symbiosis between sport, culture and environment, that is why it is one of the most beautiful sports activities that exists: there is no need to make economic investments for practicing it and, it is easy and accessible to most people. Hiking seeks to bring people closer to the natural environment and to the knowledge of the cultural heritage of the area they travel. It has scenic, historical, ethnographic and environmental interest and it is suitable for most of the population.
Walking outdoors clears the mind and increases optimism, helps us to stay in shape and make us feel active.
We can regulate the intensity of the exercise by choosing more or less demanding routes, as well as increasing or decreasing the rate of ascent and descent.
What routes exist in the Marina Alta?
Hiking route at Benissa
In the Marina Alta there are routes of legal approved hiking, perfectly described, guided and signposted, so that we can enjoy a healthy, pure and pleasant walk. To be done even alone or with the family. These routes have been adapted in order to take advantage of the excellent climate, landscapes and benign temperatures that this area of the Costa Blanca has.
Some routes prepared by the City Council of Teulada are the Route to the Cap d’Or, the path of the FontSanta, Cala Moraig or the Viewpoints of the coast, among others, and you can find the detail of each one in the tourism page of Teulada – Moraira.
Other coastal hiking routes, highly recommended, are found in the municipalities of Denia, Jávea, Benitachell, Benissa or Calpe with their beautiful landscapes and sea views, enabled both for adults and children, with rest and picnic areas, to take some moments of relaxation
And the most advanced … what?
On the other hand, for the most advanced, there are also trekking routes, which is another form of hiking, usually on foot, not competitive, to travel independently isolated places with difficulty of transit, such as mountainous areas or remote places with or without marked trails. These excursions are organized by the council of Alicante and consist of several stages, well structured, that run along the Costa Blanca Interior Grand Route or other beautiful Routes through Jalón and the Sierra de Bernia.
What to bring?
Mainly, the drink and the food: it is indispensable a canteen with water, and if it is possible, an isotonic drink. Food: dehydrated and easy to transport and storage, energy foods such as chocolate, nuts or cereal bars, which take up little space and weight.
The basic equipment of the hiker, that also depends on the difficulty of the route: comfortable and layered clothes adapted to the weather, boots or hiking shoes or sports shoes, backpack, knife, walking stick, rope, flashlight and whistle. Other basics are the protective cream, insect repellent and a small first aid kit. And, of course, map, compass and camera, (many of these are already incorporated in our mobile phones).
