Tips on walking in this Environment
Walk with people who know the area
If you are new to mountain walking in this area, it is probably best to make
contact with an established walking group. A good choice is the Costa Blanca
Mountian Walkers. They have two walks a week throughout the season, usually
one easy and the other more challenging. Please check
the local press (Costa Blanca News) for how to contact this group
Be prepared for very rough ground:
The sedimentary rocks of this area have been lifted up and tilted by movements
of the earth's crust over millions of years and deeply eroded giving a very
rugged landscape. Often you will be walking on paths which look like the tops
of half-buried gravestones, and most walks involve some such "rock hopping".
Be prepared for ankle-turning consditions underfoot.
Walk during the walking season:
October - June. The summer months (July, August and much of September) are too
hot for pleasant walking. Walk during dry weather, the mountains can be treacherous
in the rain. Be aware that it snows in the mountains in mid-winter.
Take plenty of water:
Even during winter the weather may be warm (in the high 20's C).Natural water
sources are few and far between. As a rough guide take 1.5 litres of water as
standard; upping this to 2 litres if the weather is warm. Some people like to
supplement their fluid intake with isotonic drinks (which replace the salts
lost when you perspire). It's a good idea to take a supply of both; say 1 litre
water and half a litre of isotonic fluid. Packets of salts to make an isotonic
drink are available from pharmacies. You can also get commercial, flavoured
"bebida isotonica" in supermarkets.
Wear (and take) the right clothes:
>Local mountain paths are particularly rocky. Lightweight hiking boots with
ankle support and good soles are therefore recommended.
>Gorse and Kermes oak are very scratchy, therefore wear long lightweight
trousers rather than shorts (local street markets sell hiking trousers for 6
Euros)
>Wear a short-sleeved shirt but take a warm pullover or fleece and lightweight
wind/showerproof
>The sun burns, even on a cool day - wear sunblock on exposed skin
>Wear a hat.
Walk in a group and take mobile phones:
Many of these walks take you into remote places. Never walk alone. Groups of
3 to 6 are ideal. It's useful to have a couple of mobile phones in the group
(ideally with contracts from different phone companies - the geographical coverage
varies between companies)
Take a First Aid Kit:
At least one member of the group should have a first aid kit.