Sierra de San Julián - Serra Grossa - urban summit hike near Alicante city with panoramic views

When you drive to Alicante city from the east, for example from Benidorm, you will see a small, elongated mountain at the edge of the cliff on which the Castillo de Santa Bárbara is located. This is one of the most characteristic landmarks around Alicante, which is also clearly visible from the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, which many tourists visit. However, although this is a popular area for those who live nearby, it is little known among tourists. This article describes an easy route to the two peaks that the mountain consists of. From the highest peak, on clear days, you can see all the way to Dénia and the island of Ibiza to the east and to Santa Pola and the island of Tabarca to the west.

The northeastern peak is 173 meters high and is simply called Serra Grossa or Sierra de San Julián. It is shaped like a rectangle with a flat 400-500 meter area on top that makes it look like a "table mountain" from a distance. At the north end of this there has been a village from the Bronze Age, which is well hidden in the terrain today. This is the largest of the peaks.

South-west of this is Cerra del Molinet or Cerro de Santa Ana as it is also called. It is smaller, only 89 meters high and has a more conical shape with a smaller plateau that is only a few tens of meters wide. On this plateau there was once a watchtower and a chapel. Between the two peaks there is a saddle-shaped depression that gives the mountain a hump shape when viewed from the side.

The highest and largest of the two peaks of Serra Grossa seen from the lowest and smallest. On the left, the road and railway line by the beach and San Juan on the horizon are visible.

There are several routes you can follow to reach the two peaks. One option is to walk up from the beach in the Albufereta district on the north-east side of Alicante. Then you have to pass the largest of the peaks before reaching the smallest. You can also get there from the Vía Verde down by the beach - an old disused railway line that has been converted into a hiking trail. The route described in this article starts at the La Goteta - Plaza Mar 2 tram station. It is located on the north side of the two peaks, and you come up in the depression between them so that you get a peak on each side.

Start at La Goteta station. Walk across the railway line at the east end of the station area by the tunnel.

Continue on the gravel road/path along the slope to the right.

After 150 meters you will come to a crossroads. The road to the left (or straight ahead) goes to the big peak. The road to the right goes to the small peak. We start with the small peak and go right.

After a few hundred meters on a level path, you will come to an open space where there is also a small park and a viewpoint where you should stop. At this point, a loop starts that goes around the small peak and up onto the plateau. You can go straight ahead to go around in the direction of the sun, or up the stairs to the right in the picture to go the opposite way. It may be a little easier to find your way if you start on the path straight ahead, but if you have poor balance, it may be worth starting by going up the stairs to the right because there are sections of loose stones on the ascent here that may be easier to handle if you go up instead of down.

The path continues along the side of the mountain with views of the Mediterranean Sea all the way.

Along the way there is a large open cave in the mountain

When you round the west side, you get a view of the rock el Benacantil (166 meters above sea level) with the castle El Castillo de Santa Bárbara.

View of the settlement inside Serra Grossa

After going around the west side, you walk up to the small plateau at the top. There are several viewpoints here. Continue to the other side and follow the path marked with a railing at the end.

In some areas there are loose rocks in the path

On the descent from the small peak, you can clearly see the large peak.

The walk from the junction to the small peak and back down to the junction where you started is about 1 km long. To get to the large peak, go left (or straight ahead) where you previously went right. This path runs parallel to the road for a while.

After a few hundred meters you will come to this intersection. There you go straight ahead.

At this intersection, you should continue along the upper path.

The path is a little uneven, but mostly firm and nice to walk on.

The large plateau at the top offers panoramic views in all directions. This photo shows the view to the west with the Castillo de Santa Bárbara on the left. On clear days you can see as far as the town of Santa Pola and the island of Tabarca.

View to San Juan to the east. On clear days you can see all the way to the coastal town of Dénia and the island of Ibiza.

After being on the plateau, which can be explored in all directions, you return the same way and return to the La Goteta station.

More excursions: www.turideer.com

Excursion of the week: Urban summit hike near Alicante city, Serra Grossa or Sierra San Julián

Length: The hike up to the smallest peak and back down is 1 km. The hike to the largest peak and back down is 4 km. The total hike is 5 km.

Suitable for: Anyone in normal physical shape. Wear good shoes and possibly walking poles if you have poor balance.

How to get there: Park at the La Gotata station in Alicante. There is a relatively large parking lot right next to the stop, but it is often full. It is therefore better to park in the shopping center right next to it. There is usually plenty of space on the roof there. You can also take a walk through the shopping center when you are finished with your walk. Enter: "Parking C.C Plaza mar 2" in Google Maps, and you will be taken straight to the parking garage.

#Spain #English #Mountain #SerraGrossa #Alicante