Montgo sits aloof from the rest of the Costa Blanca mountains, towering over the towns of Xabia and Denia. Its isolated position means it stands out in any view to the north, where its vast bulk looms in solitary splendour. Seen end-on from Xabia, its long ridge hidden from view, it is an intimidating pyramid throwing down a fierce challenge, demanding to be climbed. This walk accepts that head-on before enjoying a long ridge walk and an exciting descent.
No walk in this book is more comprehensively signed. From the barrier at the entrance to the shooting club take the path signed ‘Ruta Campo Tir – Cim 3.5km, time 2hrs’. Follow the path into the scrub heading for the mountain, which is all too obvious in front as a disconcertingly steep ridge. Where the path meets a wider dirt road turn right, still aiming for the mountain and an information board. At a three-way signpost go left following the signs for the Cim. For the next two hours or so little is required by way of navigation. Simply follow the clear and stony path as it climbs relentlessly, weaving backwards and forwards across the slope. Throughout this first section Montgo itself blocks the view inland to the mountains and the walk is very much a maritime expedition with views up and down the coast.
The exposed shelf path to the summit
Eventually the path turns a corner and the inland ranges come into view from Calp to the Serrella. The path crosses an exposed shelf before a final short scramble where a sign reading ‘Sender Perillosa’ (dangerous path) points the way to the summit with its trig column. Thanks to Montgo’s solitary position the views from the summit are magnificent and uninterrupted in all directions, including along the ridge, which we now follow. The path descends to a tree and then drops again to contour the southern side of the ridge below a cross, the Creu de Denia, which can be visited by a diversion.
The path eventually crosses a low col and then drops to curl round a deep barranc to another col guarded by a solitary tree, where Denia comes into view. Drop down the path and traverse leftwards across the slope until you reach a junction with a path heading steeply down a gully and marked on a ground-level plaque to Denia. Take this. Initially the path is very steep and covered in loose stones. Fortunately the barranc soon becomes broader and the angle a little less precipitous as the path is able to make full use of its width. Nevertheless do not drop your guard too much; the lower section still has its moments and is exposed in places.
The path eventually comes to a T-junction. Turn left, signed ‘Raco del Bou’. Just as the path seems about to tumble into the swimming pools of Denia it reaches The Cami, which is wide and partly cobbled. Here head rightwards along the broad road, as it traverses high above the coastline in marked contrast to the wild mountain walking of just a few minutes earlier. At a fork take the upper option signed ‘Cova del Camell’.
After about 4km the Cami deteriorates into a narrower path and almost at the same moment the shooting club comes into view. The path continues round to the Cova del Camell where the walk has a final sting in its tail with a short, sharp ascent out of the barranc. After this the path leads across the plateau, passing an incongruous triangulation pillar, to rejoin the outward path.
WALK 2
Tossal Grau
| Start/finish | Pego |
| Distance | 11km |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Time | 4hrs |
| Terrain | Good paths, steep descent |
| Height gain | 773m |
| Map | Costa Blanca Mountains (Discovery), Les Valls (Terra Firma) |
| Access | It is worth avoiding Pego’s intricate one-way system if possible and to approach the town via the CV 715 from the southeast. Pass the road to Vall d’Ebo on the left and shortly after take a prominent fork on the left just before a white church. Continue along this road following signs to the Calvaria. By a children’s play area turn left up a wide road lined with cypress trees. Just before it crosses a riverbed turn left again following signs for Climbing. |
| Parking | Roadside at a fork where the tarmac runs out and becomes concreted. |
Pego and Vall d’Ebo lie at the northern limit of the area that can be reached easily from the main Costa Blanca resorts and the Tossal Grau sits neatly between them, a fine limestone peak blessed with two dramatic barrancs and a network of paths from which to explore them with relative ease. This walk begins from the edge of Pego but is soon among wild mountain country and leads to an airy summit with extensive 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains and coast.
From the fork go up the concrete road to quickly reach another junction. Take the right hand branch following a sign for the PR-CV 58 to Figuereta and Xical passing orange groves and houses. The track soon takes a right hand bend and 20 metres further on an unsigned path climbs up the banking into the undergrowth on the left to begin the ascent. When it reaches a broader unmade road carry on uphill. Ignore a junction to the right and follow the yellow and white paint flashes. After 50 metres take a track climbing off left still following the paint marks. When the path reaches another concrete road turn left.
After another 200 metres up the road turn sharply back leftwards on a footpath marked with yellow and white paint. Eventually, about 50mins from the car, the path emerges onto the rim of a plateau by some ruins and continues along a spur, following the line of a wall, with the deep Barranc de les Coves to the left. Eventually it switches sides of the ridge, now overlooking the equally impressive Barranc de la Canal while ahead masts crown the summit of the Miserat.
Looking down into the Barranc de la Canal
When the path reaches a small col, a painted arrow points off downhill. Ignore this and instead carry on leftwards up the slope to reach a signpost. Turn right to follow the signed PR-CV 58 to Figuereta. The other path, a green and white marked sender locale goes to Pego and will be part of our return route. For now carry on uphill.
The path reaches the Refugi Figuereta, a fine looking building blessed with a pump and shaded picnic tables grouped around it and a good place for a rest.
Leave it, still on the PR-CV 58, now signed to Ebo, which departs from the bottom left corner of the grounds and descends towards a barranc, which it crosses and then goes onto more open slopes, squeezing between dwarf palms, until it meets a finger post at a fork with a sign pointing back to Figuereta. Here leave the PR-CV leftwards, aiming for the rocky knoll of the Tossal above.
When the path, now marked by green and white flashes, reaches a col with a marker post Montgo comes into view ahead. Here turn right to climb the final slopes to the summit of Tossal Grau. The top is boulder-strewn with Vall d’Ebo below, hills all around and views to the coast and the rice-growing marshes between Pego and the Mediterranean, now also a haunt of birdwatchers.
From the top go back down to the marker post passed just before the final climb and this time turn right, following a path which traverses the hillside across old terraces and walls. This is the continuation of the SL used earlier and it descends to pass a farm building before coming to a T-junction. Turn left, now back on the PR-CV 58 signed to Figuereta and heading back to the refuge.
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