Sierra de Aitana

Sierra de Aitana is the highest massif in Alicante province, with the summit reaching 1,558 m above sea level. Its position in the inland Marina Baixa, roughly 35 km from the Mediterranean coast, creates a sharp contrast: from the top you can see simultaneously the Benidorm coastline and the inland ranges around Alcoy, a view that maps the whole of the Valencian Community's geography in a single glance. In winter, when the summit receives occasional snow, the silence in the pinsapo fir stands at the Tudons pass is almost absolute, broken only by wind across the military observatory antennas crowning the ridge.

The sierra's hiking network is well marked and varied. The most frequented route climbs from Sella to the summit over 7 km with 900 m of positive elevation gain, following a ridge that alternates between grassy meadows and grey limestone outcrops. At higher elevations, Spanish junipers (Juniperus thurifera) grow isolated in rock fissures, bent by the prevailing northwest wind into the twisted shapes that draw landscape photographers. The PR-CV 33 trail starts from Confrides on north-facing slopes where the understorey is denser: rockrose, rosemary, thyme and lavender that scent the air strongly in spring.

The sierra supports wildlife worth observing beyond the scenery. Golden eagles nest in the limestone crags on the north face, and their wide soaring patterns over the Amadorio gorges are visible on most clear mornings. Griffon vultures circle in groups during the first hour of light once thermals develop over the warm limestone slopes. Harder to spot but reliably present are the Iberian ibex and European badger. In the high pastures, spring brings rufous-tailed rock thrushes and black wheatears, two visually striking birds that use dry-stone walls as observation posts.

Aitana's photographic possibilities are specific and well documented. The massif's orientation produces frequent thermal inversions in autumn and winter: from the summit, a cloud sea fills the valleys and leaves only the crests of the Bernia and Puig Campana ranges visible. The golden-hour light from the Menejador viewpoint at 1,352 m on the col frames the relief without needing post-processing. In winter, fresh snow days are brief: snowfall typically arrives before dawn and the southern slopes are largely clear by midday, making an early start decisive.

The main approach to the summit passes through the Port de Tudons (1,024 m), reachable from Benifato or Confrides. From the pass, the final 500 m of elevation gain to the top takes under two hours at a steady pace. Carry a layer even in summer: the summit runs 8–10 °C colder than the coast and wind increases noticeably on the upper slopes. In summer, heat on the lower trails is intense before 10 am; starting from Guadalest or Benifato at dawn avoids peak sun and delivers the best light for summit photography.