Approach notes

 

Approach by taking the CV720 or CV752 to Castell de Castells from either Jalon or Callosa. The road from Jalon being typically a smoother and quicker approach (although at the time of writing is being improved and may not be fully open until March 2007). From Calpe, the town can be reached in 40 minutes.

 

On reaching the village of Castel de Castells there are three possible approaches.

 

 

 

1. Drive through Castells and take the CV720 signposted to Famorca and Facheca. On leaving Castells you pass over a bridge and from this point measure 4.6k (just after the 19k signpost) and look out for some masts/aerials on the right. On a left bend marked with twin chevron signs, take the track with a crash barrier on its right side. Go past the mast/aerials then down to some outbuildings. Park here unless you have a 4x4 in which case you can venture further down the track. The walls are easily visible across the other side of the valley. Follow the track down into the barranco to reach a damn wall. Step over this and continue down and along the river bed until below sector Barrel Face. From here take the obvious path up onto the hillside and keep heading towards The Cathedral. For sectors Barrel Face and Pinturas there is a track leading back left to the buttresses. This is about a 15 to 20 minute walk.

 

2. Immediately after leaving the parking and heading down the track there is a path down a rib leading past the obvious tower. This is much quicker although the descent (ascent) is steeper. It also avoids the awkward walk along the river bed. At the foot of the path cross straight over the river bed to join the previous path. This is also better if there is water in the river.

 

3. On reaching the outskirts of Castell de Castells from Jalon CV720, take the first turn back right into the valley bottom. Follow the road past the sewage treatment works to a junction at the ‘sheep sheds’ and refuse tip. Turn left and continue for 400mtrs and take the first stony track on the right (where the road bends sharply to the left) Keep right and drive across the riverbed shortly afterwards the track splits. Take the right fork and up steeply to arrive at a large flat terrace of olive trees. Park here sensibly. Walk up the narrowing track to an old ‘casita’  Follow the path down but it is better to keep on the higher terrace. Cross this and descend to the river be. Follow the stony riverbed to reach the boulders, to continue to The Cathedral follow the path around the back of King Boulder and follow an indistinct cained path to gain the good footpath below The Cathedral.