If you think the Costa Blanca is just sun loungers and sangria, you haven't seen Altea properly. Tucked between the Sierra de Bernia and the Mediterranean, this little town sits at the foot of some of the most dramatic walking country in eastern Spain — and in June, when the wildflowers are still clinging on and the morning air is cool enough to breathe comfortably before 10am, it's genuinely one of the best places in Europe to lace up your boots.
I've been exploring these trails for ten years. Some days I go for a quick 90-minute loop above the old town before breakfast. Other times I'm out all day in the Bernia ridge, coming back with sore legs and a phone full of photos. Here's my honest, practical guide to the best walks and hikes near Altea — from easy coastal strolls to proper mountain challenges.
1. The Altea Coastal Path (Senda Litoral) — Easy, 4–8km
This is where I send everyone who asks for a walk that doesn't feel like a march. The Senda Litoral coastal path runs along the shoreline north and south of Altea, connecting beaches, coves and rocky outcrops with a well-maintained dirt and stone track. Heading south from Cap Negret towards Albir, you get sea views nearly the entire way, and the walking is flat enough to do in sandals if you're feeling bold (I wouldn't recommend it, but I've seen it done).
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Find rentals →The stretch north towards La Olla and Mascarat is shorter but arguably more beautiful — the path squeezes between orange-tinged cliffs and turquoise water, and there are a couple of tiny beaches you simply cannot reach any other way. Give yourself two hours, bring water, and stop at the chiringuito at La Olla on the way back if it's open.
Distance: 4–8km depending on route Difficulty: Easy Best time: Early morning or late afternoon in June Parking: Cap Negret or the Altea seafront
2. Sierra de Bernia — The Ridge Walk — Moderate to Hard, 12km
If there's one walk that defines this part of the Costa Blanca, it's the Bernia ridge. The mountain dominates the skyline above Altea and Calpe — you can see it from the beach, from your terrace, from the motorway — and the walk along its spine is as spectacular as it looks from below.
The standard circuit (PR-CV 13) starts from the Font de Bernia car park, about 25 minutes' drive from Altea up through Callosa d'en Sarrià. You climb steadily through pine forest and scrubland before hitting the ridge itself, where the views open out to include the Peñón de Ifach, the whole coastline from Dénia to Benidorm, and on very clear days, Ibiza. There's a tunnel — the Forat de Bernia — that cuts through the rock at the far end of the ridge. It's low, dark and a bit of an adventure.
In June, start no later than 8am. This is not a walk to do in the midday heat. Carry at least 2 litres of water per person. The full circuit is around 12km and 700m of ascent — fit walkers will do it in four to five hours.
Distance: 12km Difficulty: Moderate-Hard Ascent: ~700m Trailhead: Font de Bernia car park (free) Best month: June is ideal — not too hot if you start early
3. Penya Sella and the Valley Above Altea — Moderate, 7km
This is my personal favourite mid-week walk: less well-known than Bernia, quieter, and with views that feel almost unfairly good for the effort involved. You start from the outskirts of Altea la Vella (the modern residential area above the old town) and follow a network of old farm tracks and mountain paths up into the valley behind the town.
The route passes through abandoned terraces of almond and carob trees, past a couple of old ermitas (rural chapels), and eventually onto the Penya Sella col, from where you can look directly down onto Altea's famous blue-domed church and the whole bay stretching towards Benidorm. It's not officially waymarked all the way, so download the track on Wikiloc before you go (search "Altea Penya Sella").
Distance: 7km Difficulty: Moderate Ascent: ~350m Start point: Altea la Vella, coordinates available on Wikiloc
4. Albir to Altea Coastal Walk — Easy, 5km one way
Another local favourite that works particularly well in June when you want to combine some walking with a swim. Start at the Faro de l'Albir lighthouse (there's good free parking near Hotel Melia Villaitana), walk south along the coast, and end up in Altea for lunch. The return can be done by bus (line 10) or taxi.
The lighthouse area itself — the Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada — is a protected natural park with dramatic cliffs falling straight into the sea. There are no beaches here, but the snorkelling off the rocks is some of the best on the Costa Blanca.
Distance: 5km one way Difficulty: Easy Parking: Near Faro de l'Albir Tip: Do it on a Tuesday morning — the Altea market is on Tuesday, so you can browse after your walk
5. Puig Campana from the Coast — Hard, 16km return
Okay, this one is not for the faint-hearted. Puig Campana (1,410m) is the second-highest peak in the Alicante province and it's visible from the beach at Altea on a clear day — a perfect pointed summit that looks almost Alpine from a distance. The most popular route leaves from Finestrat village, about 30 minutes' drive inland, and climbs relentlessly for nearly 1,000m of vertical gain.
I do this walk once a year, usually in early June before the heat really sets in. The views from the summit are extraordinary — you can see from Dénia all the way to the Tabarca Island near Alicante. But this is serious mountain terrain. Proper hiking boots, poles, early start (6:30am in June), and a full day are all essential.
Distance: 16km return Difficulty: Hard Ascent: ~1,000m Start point: Finestrat village (free street parking)
Practical Tips for Hiking Near Altea in June
- Start early. June temperatures above the treeline can hit 35°C by midday. Most trails have no shade.
- Water. Double what you think you need.
- Apps. Wikiloc is the standard for Spanish trails. Download tracks before you go — mobile signal on the Sierra de Bernia is patchy.
- Footwear. Trail shoes minimum for Bernia and Puig Campana. The coastal path is fine with decent trainers.
- Sun protection. Factor 50, hat, sunglasses. Seriously.
- After the walk. Head to the Altea old town, sit down at a bar on the main square, and order a cold Estrella Damm. You've earned it.
Where to Stay for Walkers in Altea
The key thing as a hiker is having somewhere you can come back to, rinse off, and properly relax after a day on the trails. A private villa or apartment beats a hotel room every time — you've got space to spread out your kit, your own kitchen for early-morning starts, and usually a terrace or pool for the afternoon recovery.
Browse Altea holiday rentals on JV Properties — the selection includes everything from compact apartments near the seafront (ideal for the coastal walks) to larger villas with private pools in the hills above Altea la Vella, which puts you right at the start of several inland routes.
Booking direct through JV Properties saves you up to 18% compared to Airbnb or Booking.com, and you get direct contact with the owners if you need local walking advice before or during your stay. See all available properties for your dates.
The Costa Blanca mountain trails are some of the most underrated walking in Europe — and Altea is the perfect base to explore them. See you on the trails.
