THE MONTGÓ, A MOUNTAIN FULL OF LIFE
The Montgó was declared a Natural Park in 1987, is an impressive rocky mountain that seems to rise from the sea and rises to the sky caressing the clouds that often crown its summit. The massif hides a dazzling treasure of life that makes it an emblematic mountain of richness and biodiversity of Valencian nature; ravines, walls, summits, terraces, coasts, seabeds… are home to more than 650 species of plants. More than 80 are catalogued as rare, endemic or threatened, the most emblematic of which is the Carduncellus dianius, a plant exclusive to the Montgó and the mountains of Ibiza. Among its fauna we find more than 150 vertebrates, highlighting the Bonelli’s eagle, an endangered species at European level.
DIFFERENT ECOSYSTEMS
Due to the geographical location and orientation of Montgó, we find different ecosystems, among which the following stand out:
- Scrub is the most extensive formation in the park, dominated by kermes oak, steppes and mastic trees.
- Regenerating pine forests after past forest fires.
- The shady and sunny sea cliffs, which serve as refuge for the main animal and plant endemisms.
- The traditional agriculture of vineyards, almond and orange trees around the massif is a valuable perimeter buffer against impacts, preventing its biological isolation and providing shelter and food for numerous species of fauna.
MONTGÓ HIKING TRAILS
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for hiking, as the terrain is rocky.
- Bring plenty of water, as there are no fountains.
- Protect yourself from the sun with a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Shade is scarce in most of the layouts.
- The routes of the Montgó have different levels of difficulty, it is recommended to choose the appropriate itinerary to our physical conditions, according to time available, distance, slope, etc..
- Routes 5 and 6 present the highest degree of difficulty because they are the longest and have the greatest slopes. Only recommended for people accustomed to hiking in the mountains.
Refrain from climbing Montgó when there is a risk of thunderstorms, fog or high temperatures. There are no places to take refuge.
ROUTE 1 – END OF LES ROTES – PORT OF XÁBIA
START: End of les Rotes. Via Via Láctea street you can go up to the Gerro tower.
LENGTH: 8.8km. (one way). Linear route
LEVEL: 184m
DURATION: 2h 55min.
DIFFICULTY: MEDIUM
ACCESSIBILITY: The end of Les Rotes is reached by taking the promenade next to the Marineta Cassiana beach. We walk south and then find rocky coves whose seabed is home to a wealth of flora and fauna. Once we reach the end of the Les Rotes promenade, we can see the Gerro watchtower, which indicates the end of the steepest uphill section of the route.
In a few kilometers we enjoy a variety of landscapes and panoramic views of the coast of Les Rotes, Denia, the Gulf of Valencia, the bay of Xàbia, the Montgó, even the islands of Ibiza or Mallorca on clear days.
This route crosses Les Planes, a plain that goes into the sea, over the steep cliffs of Cape Sant Antoni. The trail passes through areas of scrubland, forest and old terraces of abandoned crops. In Les Planes, “Els Molins” (windmills) overlooking the bay of Xàbia, the recreational area of Plana de Sant Jeroni, and the viewpoint near the lighthouse stand out.
Another option to reach the end of Les Rotes is to use the city bus service Autobuses Dénia (Tel. 966421408) at the port of Dénia.
Return to Dénia. From March to October there is a boat service between Dénia and the port of Xàbia, and the route can be completed by returning to Dénia by sea (Mundo Marino, Tel. 966423066).
The return by boat is a pleasant end to the route, admiring from the sea the impressive cliffs, with caves and other whimsical rock formations.
From the boat we can easily recognize the route we have walked. We sail over waters declared a Marine Reserve for their enormous biodiversity. All the marine fauna that we can find in 518km of coastline of the Valencian Community is also in these waters off Cape Sant Antoni.
Another option is to return by bus from Xàbia. Autobuses Carrió, Tel. 965581036
ROUTE 2 – CAMÍ DE LA COLONIA – CAMELL CAVE
HOME. Hermitage of Pare Pere.
LENGTH: 5.5 km (one way). Linear route
LEVEL: 104m
DURATION: Standing: 1h, 50min. Bike: 35min.
DIFFICULTY: LOW
ACCESSIBILITY: Mountain route along the old path of the Agricultural Colony of Montgó, which runs along the northern slope, with a horizontal route of moderate difficulty. From the town center of Dénia (Pl. Jaume I) we access by the Camí Pou de la Muntanya to the hermitage Pare Pere. 100m further up, the dirt road begins, where we find an information panel next to a chain that prevents the passage of motor vehicles.
Once we overcome the initial slope we are on the horizontal path, and enjoy a mountain route without significant slopes, to the Cova del Gamell.
ATTRACTIONS: the hermitage of Pare Pere, built next to the stone hut where this Franciscan friar lived a contemplative life, inspired by the nature that surrounds the place. The mountain vegetation has occupied the terraces where vineyards, fig, almond and carob trees were previously cultivated, a vestige of the Montgó Agricultural Colony.
In spring, flowers carpet the terrain, highlighting the biodiversity of Montgó with more than 650 species of plants.
Magnificent mountain views over Denia and the castle, the Segaria mountain range and the coastline of the Gulf of Valencia. On clear days, the mountains of Ibiza and even Mallorca can be seen over the horizon of the sea.
ROUTE 3 – COVA DE L’AIGUA – RACÓ DEL BOU
HOME. Hermitage of Pare Pere.
LENGTH: 5.4 km. Circular route.
LEVEL: 350m.
DURATION: 3h
DIFFICULTY: MEDIUM
ACCESSIBILITY. From the town center of Dénia (Plza. Jaume I) we access by the Camí Pou de la Muntanya to the Ermita Pare Pere. 100 m further up, the dirt road begins, where we find an information panel next to a chain that prevents the passage of motor vehicles.
We continue walking and turn left at the fork in the Camí de la Colònia. After a few meters we leave this path, taking the ascending path to the right towards the Cova de L’Aigua. We pass through the shady area of Montgó, declared a micro-reserve, where a great variety of plant species abound, including some endemic and endangered species. Therefore, we will walk exclusively on the path, avoiding any impact. We arrived at the entrance of the cave after overcoming some steps of considerable height and found 3 compartments of different times used to dam water. Only the initial sector of the cave is accessible. The visit requires a flashlight. It is frequently flooded with water after periods of heavy rainfall.
COVA DE L’AIGUA
At the entrance of the cavity we find the Roman inscription, dated 238 A.D. Remains have also been found that show evidence of its use in the Iberian period or in the 4th and 5th centuries as a place of worship, and later in the Islamic period. It came to have a channeling of mud pipes to supply the population settled in a part of the slope of Montgó. SXVI and XVII.
RACÓ DEL BOU
We return along the same path and after about 200m we take the detour to the left towards the Racó del Bou, first by an ascending section that then descends to link with the end of the Camí de la Colònia, to the west, and walking along it we return to the starting point.
ROUTE 4 – CAMÍ DE LA COLONIA – JESÚS POBRE
START: Ermita del Pare Pere
LENGTH: 6.5km. (one way). Linear route
LEVEL: 230m
DURATION: 1h.40min.
DIFFICULTY: MEDIUM
We ascend the camí de la Colònia turning right at the fork, towards the Racó del Bou. At the end of the aforementioned path we take the path that ascends to the right.
We ascend through a shady area, winding between old terraces that reach more than 100m high Camí de la Colònia.
The path continues at the foot of the imposing Penya de l’Àguila until we pass the pass called El Serrallo, where we have a magnificent view of the southern slope of Montgó. We take the path to the left, going about 200m in gentle ascent until we reach the highest point of the route, where we link with the so-called repeater track. Through this sunny area we start a comfortable and pleasant descent to Jesús Pobre, finding again old dry land terraces.
We cross the road from Jesús Pobre to Xàbia through a wooded area of pine trees, continuing along the Assagador de Cabanes until we turn right onto the camí de les Basses to reach Jesús Pobre.
ATTRACTIONS . Part of the route passes through a wooded area, dominated by white pine, mastic, fig, carob and wild olive trees, vestiges of the agricultural use of this mountain terrain.
Once we arrive at the Coll del Serrallo we enjoy magnificent views of the two sides of the mountain and the nearby valleys. Before us is the silhouette of the Serra de Bèrnia, as a backdrop, the towns of Gata de Gorgos and Jesús Pobre, the Vall de Sant Bartolomé. To the right the Retoria Valley, the Cavall Verd mountain with the three urban centers of Vall de Laguar, and to the north the Segaria mountain range, flanking the Gulf of Valencia.
CIRCULAR ITINERARY THROUGH THE COLL DE POUS
Once past the Coll del Serrallo we descend to the right on the path that leads to the Coll de Pous. It is located in a pleasant, well-preserved wooded area dominated by pine trees. We will return to Dénia walking through a residential area until we reach the town of La Pedrera.
ROUTE 5 – CAMÍ DE LA COLONIA – CREUETA
START: Ermita del Pare Pere.
LENGTH: 5km. (one way). Linear route
LEVEL: 583m
DURATION: 3h10min.
DIFFICULTY: HIGH
ACCESSIBILITY: We go up the Camí de la Colònia and when we reach the fork we turn right to the end of the Camí de la Colònia (Racó del Bou). Here we find on the left the path that ascends gently and steadily to the flat area of Montgó. In the final stretch of the ascent the path becomes a little steeper and the slope increases.
Upon reaching the plain of Montgó the path runs between eroded stones of sharp pebbles (karst lapiaz). Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the road so as not to trip or fall. The vegetation in this elevated area is quite homogeneous: low scrubland dominated by white steppes, kermes oak and palmettos, which grow among the eroded rocks.
After walking 1,200 meters along the plain, we find, on our left, an area marked with stones that indicates the detour to the Creueta de Dénia. We will walk about 100m through a steep area, where the path gets lost, although there is an area more marked by the passage of hikers. After going over a small hill we see the cross, the final point of our route. We are at an altitude of 694m.
THE CREUETA OF DÉNIA
The current Dénia cross was placed in 1999, with the support of a helicopter that flew it up from Dénia. It is a symbol that identifies the view of the Montgó from Dénia, an element to locate in the mountain, with a little visual acuity. And a place of tradition to be visited by any hiker. The existence of wooden crosses is documented in this place since 1684, with successive replacements after falls or breakage due to inclement weather.
CAUTION. It is a route with steep slopes. Only recommended for people used to walking on mountain trails. Please strictly observe the recommendations for the prevention of risks in the mountains.
