If you think Jávea is just about beaches and chiringuitos, you're missing half the picture. Hiking in Jávea is genuinely one of the best things you can do here — and September is arguably the perfect month to do it. The summer crowds have thinned, the light is golden and long, and the temperatures have dropped just enough to make a morning on the trails feel like a reward rather than an ordeal.
I've been walking these paths for a decade. Some weekends I'm on the Cap de la Nau with a coffee flask at sunrise. Other times I'm scrambling up through the pine-covered slopes of the Montgó with my dog. What I can tell you is this: Jávea's hiking scene is criminally underrated, and if you're staying here this autumn, you'd be mad to skip it.
Why September Is the Best Month to Hike in Jávea
Let's be honest — hiking in July or August here is a bad idea unless you're setting off before 8am. The heat is brutal and the exposed ridgelines offer zero shade. But September changes everything. Daytime temperatures hover around 27–30°C, mornings can be a pleasant 20–22°C, and by late September you can comfortably walk until midday without suffering.
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Find rentals →The landscape also looks its best right now. The scrubland is dry and fragrant — rosemary, thyme, wild lavender — and the sea views from the high trails are impossibly clear. On a good day from the top of Montgó, you can see Ibiza on the horizon. I'm not exaggerating.
The 5 Best Hiking Trails in Jávea
1. Montgó Natural Park — The Crown Jewel
This is the one everyone should do at least once. The Montgó massif rises to 753 metres and dominates the entire municipality. The most popular ascent starts from the Casa Forestal car park on the CV-736, roughly 3km from the Old Town. It's about 8km return, with around 600m of elevation gain — moderate to challenging depending on your fitness.
The path winds through dense Mediterranean scrub before opening onto rocky ridges with jaw-dropping views over both the Jávea bay and the Dénia coast. Allow 4–5 hours return, bring at least 2 litres of water, and wear proper footwear. The summit plateau is exposed and the final section involves some light scrambling.
Tip: Start no later than 9am in September. By late morning the heat radiating off the rock can be intense even if the air temperature seems manageable.
2. Cap de la Nau Coastal Path — The Scenic Stroll
This is my personal favourite for a relaxed morning. The Cap de la Nau (Cabo de la Nao) is the easternmost point of the Costa Blanca and one of the most dramatic headlands in Spain. A well-marked coastal path loops around the lighthouse and the surrounding cliffs — you can do a short 3km loop or extend it to around 6km by heading down towards the Cala Portichol.
The views from the cliff edge are staggering: sheer drops, turquoise water, and on clear days Ibiza sitting 85km out to sea. The lighthouse itself dates to 1864 and the whole area is a protected natural zone. There's a small car park at the cap and a couple of beach bars nearby for a well-earned coffee afterwards.
3. Camino de la Granadella — Hidden Valley & Beach
The trail to Cala de la Granadella is a short but steep 2km descent (and return climb) through dense pine forest. The Granadella cove itself is one of the best beaches in the area — crystalline water, dramatic cliffs, a good beach bar — but the real joy is earning it on foot rather than scrambling for a parking space like everyone else.
Start from the car park on the CV-7400 near Benitachell. The path is well-marked and takes about 45 minutes down. Budget an hour back up. This walk pairs perfectly with a swim and lunch at the chiringuito.
4. Sendero de Portitxol — The Locals' Loop
Fewer tourists know about this one, which is exactly why I love it. The Portitxol trail starts near the Cala Portitxol (south of Cap de la Nau) and meanders along the coastal scrubland, offering stunning views over the rocky coves and the open sea. It's around 5km and mostly flat, making it accessible for most fitness levels.
The cove itself — Portitxol — is tiny, pebbly and largely wild. Bring snorkelling gear if you're going in September; visibility in the water is exceptional this time of year.
5. Montgó: El Camí Vell — The Forgotten Route
Fewer people take this alternative Montgó route, which approaches the massif from the Dénia side and passes through ancient terraced almond groves and abandoned farmsteads. It's longer and less dramatic than the Casa Forestal route, but the sense of solitude and the agricultural history visible in the landscape make it feel like a different experience entirely. Around 10km return with 500m ascent. Bring a map — waymarking is inconsistent.
Practical Information for Hiking in Jávea
What to bring: Water (minimum 2 litres), sunscreen, hat, trekking poles (optional but useful on Montgó), proper shoes (trail runners are fine for most routes, boots for the summit).
Maps: The Montgó Natural Park office in Dénia (free maps available) or download the Wikiloc app — search for 'Montgó' or 'Jávea coastal walks' and you'll find dozens of GPS-tracked community routes.
Best time to start: Before 9am in September. Most trails are exposed and south-facing.
Dogs: Welcome on most trails, but keep them on a lead within the Natural Park boundaries.
Parking: Free at Casa Forestal (Montgó), small pay car park at Cap de la Nau, limited free parking near Granadella trailhead.
Where to Stay for a Hiking Holiday in Jávea
If you're planning a hiking holiday in Jávea, where you stay matters. Properties near the Old Town give you the easiest access to the Montgó trailheads. Properties in the Cap de la Nau area put you within walking distance of the coastal paths — no car needed for the morning trail.
We have a range of holiday rentals in Jávea that suit active travellers perfectly — from cosy apartments near the Arenal to spacious villas with pools in the hills above the port. Browse holiday rentals in Jávea and find your base for exploring.
One more thing worth saying: booking direct with JV Properties saves you up to 18% compared to Airbnb or Booking.com. That saving covers your hiking lunch at the Granadella chiringuito for the whole week, just saying. See all available properties.
Final Thoughts
Jávea in September is a hiker's dream. The trails are quiet, the light is extraordinary, and you get the beaches to yourself afterwards. Whether you're pushing for the Montgó summit or just doing a gentle coastal loop around Cap de la Nau, you'll come back to your terrace in the evening feeling like you've actually earned that glass of local wine.
Get out on the trails. Jávea will surprise you.
