Walk from Benitichall to El Portet, near Moraira - Tue 05th January 2010
To reach the start point above Cala del Moraig by car: From Moraira take the road to Benitachell and about 2 kms before reaching the village, at Rusty’s Restaurant, turn right towards the Cumbre du Sol urbanisation. Wind your way up the hill to the top and at the large roundabout follow the signs down the other side to La Playa (Cala de Moraig). About 100m before you reach the small parking area well above the steep beach road you will see the waymark for the start of the walk, pointing up a short, steep incline through bushes. Coming from Javea, pass Mas Y Mas supermarket on your left when entering Benitachell. Take first turning left at the next traffic lights to "Cumbre del Sol"; Follow the signs for the beach ("Playa" or "Cova de les Arcs"). The road dips down into a steep-sided gulley where there are few houses and widens, park here. (There is a board on the left which says "Morres de Benitatxell" and "Penysegats"). Walk up the turning on the right and you will see the waymark on the left, after about 100 metres. Cars can be parked at the side to the road or, if preferred, at the small parking area mentioned above. To leave a car(s) at the end point of the walk take the road from Moraira to El Portet. Park near the beach. Then drive back through Moraira and follow the directions above to start the walk. (Classed as Moderately strenuous) Start to la Cova de Pepet del Morret 25mins From the way mark next to the road, go up the short rocky incline through the bushes and walk straight ahead. Keep on this track, which runs along a wide ledge about half way up the cliff face. Note houses peeping over the top of the almost vertical rock high above, and a gentler descent to the sea below escarped with rich vegetation. Take time to admire the views of the sea, the Playa de Moraig below, and the coastal scenery around to Cap de Nao. The path is lined with varied vegetation, with many flowers at the right time of year, including Giant Fennel, Pitch trefoil, and high on the cliff face Virgin's Slippers. Carob and fig trees have been planted at various points along the route. The cliff is eroded in a number of places, and it is best not to linger at one obvious site of rock falls. Several dry-stone shelters constructed against the rock face are to be seen, including Cova de las Morettes and Cova del ti Domingo l'Abiar. Apparently, these living spaces were used by fishermen and by agricultural men of Benitatxell who went to cultivate the small available earth strips and, were also visited by smugglers, hidden in the caves, who waited for the arrival of tenders loaded with tobacco, fabrics, silk and shawls from Manila. After about (25 mins), you will reach a point where a number of large fallen boulders have created a cave-like enclosure, called la Cova de Pepet del Morret. This is a convenient point to pause for a while, and take refreshments. Don’t forget to duck your head on the way out! La Cova de Pepet del Morret to Cala de Llebeig 60 mins After another 25 mins or so the walk emerges above a beautiful cove (Cala de Llebeig), with a shingle beach, flanked by some rather ramshackle huts built (presumably) by local people who go there to fish etc…. There is also a coastal guard, reflected by the popular name Smugglers’ Cove. To get to the beach, however, you first have to manoeuvre through a short, narrow rocky descent to the rough track winding down the hillside. This is quite steep and the ground is not always stable, so care is required (a stick can be a great help here). As the walk emerges at the beach you will see the waymark for the barranca part of the walk to El Portet. After the beach stop, those preferring to return to their cars at Cala de Moraig (rather than go on to El Portet) face a return climb up the hill. Cala de Llebeig to residential El Portet 1 hr 30 mins Those choosing the linear route must follow the left direction at the waymark, for Portet de Moraira. The walk goes along the barranca and requires some fairly easy rock scrambling. To keep to the correct track follow the direction marks (white/green stripes, or red dots) painted on the rocks. The route is a fairly gentle incline for the first part, up through the valley but, in sight of the urbanisations up on the hillside, it climbs up to the left, before entering the final section to El Portet. Here the walk is largely though woodland, finally emerging (about 30 mins. from the beach) through an orange grove into the residential area. There is a small parking area here where the track meets the road. Turn left. The tarmac walk to El Portet 2hr 30mins Walk about 1 km to El Portet beach and your second car. This is on tarmac but all down hill, taking 20-25 mins. It can be avoided if cars are left at the end of the barranca (just past the orange grove) instead of near El Portet beach.
