Sierra del Penyo - Short Route

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Route: Benitachell Coastal Path (Smugglers Cove) Map
Cala del Moraig to El Portet (Moraira) via Cala Llebeig (SLV-50)

Landmarks

Description

Time

Start

Start to la Cova de Pepet del Morret
From the waymark next to the road go up the short rocky incline through the bushes and walk straight ahead. Keep on this track, which runs along a wide ledge about half way up the cliff face. Note houses peeping over the top of the almost vertical rock high above, and a gentler descent to the sea below [photos 1232 and 1241] escarped with rich vegetation. Take time to admire the views of the sea, the Playa de Moraig below, and the coastal scenery around to Cap de Nao.
The path is lined with varied vegetation, with many flowers at the right time of year, including Giant Fennel, Pitch trefoil, and high on the cliff face Virgin's Slippers. Carob and fig trees have been planted at various points along the route.

The cliff is eroded in a number of places, and it is best not to linger at one obvious site of rock falls [photo 1239].

Several dry-stone shelters constructed against the rock face are to be seen, including Cova de las Morettes and Cova del ti Domingo l'Abiar. Apparently, these living spaces were used by fishermen and by agricultural men of Benitatxell who went to cultivate the small available earth strips and, were also visited by smugglers, hidden in the caves, who waited for the arrival of tenders loaded with tobacco, fabrics, silk and shawls from Manila. [photo 1242].
See website http://www.benitatxell.com/portal/english/index.htm for fuller descriptions.

After about (25 mins), you will reach a point where a number of large fallen boulders have created a cave-like enclosure, called la Cova de Pepet del Morret. This is a convenient point to pause for a while, and take refreshments. Don’t forget to duck your head on the way out! [photo 1248].

25 minutes

La Cova de Pepet del Morret to Cala de Llebeig
After another 25 mins or so the walk emerges above a beautiful cove (Cala de Llebeig), [photo 0810] with a shingle beach, flanked by some rather ramshackle huts built (presumably) by local people who go there to fish etc…. There is also a coastal guard, reflected by the popular name Smugglers’ Cove.

To get to the beach, however, you first have to manoeuvre through a short, narrow rocky descent to the rough track winding down the hillside. This is quite steep and the ground is not always stable, so care is required (a stick can be a great help here). [ Photos 1255/1257] As the walk emerges at the beach you will see the waymark for the barranca part of the walk to El Portet.

After the beach stop, those preferring to return to their cars at Cala de Moraig (rather than go on to El Portet) face a return climb up the hill.

60 minutes

Cala de Llebeig to residential El Portet

Those choosing the linear route must follow the left direction at the waymark, for Portet de Moraira [photo 1258] . The walk goes along the barranca and requires some fairly easy rock scrambling . To keep to the correct track follow the direction marks (white/green stripes, or red dots) painted on the rocks [photos 1261/1263]. The route is a fairly gentle incline for the first part, up through the valley but, in sight of the urbanisations up on the hillside, it climbs up to the left [photo 1265], before entering the final section to El Portet.

Here the walk is largely though woodland , finally emerging (about 30 mins. from the beach) through an orange grove into the residential area [photos 1260/1266]. There is a small parking area here where the track meets the road. Turn left.

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1 hour 30 minutes

The tarmac walk to El Portet
Walk about 1 km to El Portet beach and your second car. This is on tarmac but all down hill, taking 20-25 mins. It can be avoided if cars are left at the end of the barranca (just past the orange grove) instead of near El Portet beach.

2 hours 30 mins

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Marina Alta Walks

Landmarks	Description	Time
Start Start to la Cova de Pepet del Morret	From the waymark next to the road go up the short rocky incline through the bushes and walk straight ahead. Keep on this track, which runs along a wide ledge about half way up the cliff face. Note houses peeping over the top of the almost vertical rock high above, and a gentler descent to the sea below [photos 1232 and 1241] escarped with rich vegetation. Take time to admire the views of the sea, the Playa de Moraig below, and the coastal scenery around to Cap de Nao. The path is lined with varied vegetation, with many flowers at the right time of year, including Giant Fennel, Pitch trefoil, and high on the cliff face Virgin's Slippers. Carob and fig trees have been planted at various points along the route. The cliff is eroded in a number of places, and it is best not to linger at one obvious site of rock falls [photo 1239]. Several dry-stone shelters constructed against the rock face are to be seen, including Cova de las Morettes and Cova del ti Domingo l'Abiar. Apparently, these living spaces were used by fishermen and by agricultural men of Benitatxell who went to cultivate the small available earth strips and, were also visited by smugglers, hidden in the caves, who waited for the arrival of tenders loaded with tobacco, fabrics, silk and shawls from Manila. [photo 1242]. See website http://www.benitatxell.com/portal/english/index.htm for fuller descriptions. After about (25 mins), you will reach a point where a number of large fallen boulders have created a cave-like enclosure, called la Cova de Pepet del Morret. This is a convenient point to pause for a while, and take refreshments. Don’t forget to duck your head on the way out! [photo 1248].	25 minutes
La Cova de Pepet del Morret to Cala de Llebeig	After another 25 mins or so the walk emerges above a beautiful cove (Cala de Llebeig), [photo 0810] with a shingle beach, flanked by some rather ramshackle huts built (presumably) by local people who go there to fish etc…. There is also a coastal guard, reflected by the popular name Smugglers’ Cove. To get to the beach, however, you first have to manoeuvre through a short, narrow rocky descent to the rough track winding down the hillside. This is quite steep and the ground is not always stable, so care is required (a stick can be a great help here). [ Photos 1255/1257] As the walk emerges at the beach you will see the waymark for the barranca part of the walk to El Portet. After the beach stop, those preferring to return to their cars at Cala de Moraig (rather than go on to El Portet) face a return climb up the hill.	60 minutes
Cala de Llebeig to residential El Portet	Those choosing the linear route must follow the left direction at the waymark, for Portet de Moraira [photo 1258] . The walk goes along the barranca and requires some fairly easy rock scrambling . To keep to the correct track follow the direction marks (white/green stripes, or red dots) painted on the rocks [photos 1261/1263]. The route is a fairly gentle incline for the first part, up through the valley but, in sight of the urbanisations up on the hillside, it climbs up to the left [photo 1265], before entering the final section to El Portet. Here the walk is largely though woodland , finally emerging (about 30 mins. from the beach) through an orange grove into the residential area [photos 1260/1266]. There is a small parking area here where the track meets the road. Turn left. .	1 hour 30 minutes
The tarmac walk to El Portet	Walk about 1 km to El Portet beach and your second car. This is on tarmac but all down hill, taking 20-25 mins. It can be avoided if cars are left at the end of the barranca (just past the orange grove) instead of near El Portet beach.	2 hours 30 mins