👣 Javea coastline is rugged, scenic and absolutely perfect to explore on foot – as such the walks and hiking trails shouldn’t be missed!
Javea, or Xabia as it’s also known, is a beautiful town on the Mediterranean in Alicante, Spain. And the walking trails of Javea are undoubtedly one of the best ways to explore this dramatic little piece of Costa Blanca. This essential guide explains everything you need to know about the regional walks and hikes of Javea. From the kid friendly and family walks, through to the more challenging hikes.
Shortly after our arrival in Javea, Spain – we visited the tourist centre to find out what walks were available. Pleasantly surprised, we learned of many! Over the period of two seperate long stay visits to Javea… we tried them ALL. As a result, we share everything you need to know about exploring the walks, hikes and trails in Javea. Consider this your complete A to Z!
Within this post, you’ll find all the details of the shorter walks and hikes in Javea. In addition, you’ll find links to other walks or hikes, in which we’ve written more comprehensive guides. Some of the hikes just needed MORE detail… a space all on their own!
You’ll have no trouble finding the walking trail, as we share maps and complete guides to every walk. Simply download the related app for free and navigate your way easily from start to finish. We also explain where to park, the trail level, time and distance, suitability for kids and the highlights and sights of each walk.
So with that said… we wish you happy trekking in Javea. And feel free to get in touch if you have any questions… 🥾🥾
Also Get Our: Best EVER Holiday Guide to Javea!
Walks & Hikes of Javea Spain
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There are more than a handful of walks available to choose from in Javea. From short one hour strolls, to intermediate walking trails and routes, through to the epic summit of Montgo. On these walking trails, you’ll have the option to see historical places, to visit small secluded beaches and admire rugged coastlines and miradors.
Many of the walks can be divided into smaller more manageable walks, depending on your fitness level. Alternatively, they be can be combined into full day treks.
Our guides below, include the trail map with All Trails or Wikiloc apps where possible, with links to the Xabia Tourist Centre Pamphlets as well. But to help you further we summarise what you can expect from the trail, along with our review.
So, based on the above… let’s check out some of the walks that Javea and the surrounding areas have to offer.
Ermita Santa Llucia Walking Route
🥾 Walking Level – easy
🪧 Walking Route – SL CV-99 / green and white
⭕️ Loop Track
⏱ Trail Time – 30 mins to 1 hour
👣 Distance – 1.4 km
🚗 Car Parking – at the trail head
👨👩👧👧 Kid Friendly – yes
The Trail Location and the Sights
This cute little one hour loop walk is very near the heart of the old town in Javea. The trail takes you up a winding track to the 17th century Santa Llucia chapel. This typical Spanish church has the perfect vantage point, perched at the top of the hill. As such, it provides you with some amazing views over the old town, along the valley and out over the bay beyond Javea.
Also if you’re the foraging type, consider the season and keep your eyes on the fauna growing wild along the trail. At certain times of the year, you’ll see ripe prickly pear, or flowering lavender, wild thyme, rosemary and other treats provided by mother-nature.
The walking route is labelled SL CV-99 with green and white trail markings. You have the option to start the walk from the old town. Alternatively, if you prefer there is a convenient carpark at the base of the hill and trailhead.
Navigating The Walk & What to Expect
There is a sign for Ermita Santa Llucia at the start of the trail.
The track feels like it takes an anti-clockwise direction around the hill to start with. But eventually begins a zig zagging path directly up towards the church. The path splits nearer the top of the track, at this point keep left, continuing up towards the Ermita Santa Llucia.
Then when you have explored the church, admired the views and read the information signs take the same track back to where it splits. Keep left, continuing on the loop track. This leads you further around the hill and down a road, through a wooded gulley and back to where you started.
It’s a pretty walk with some rewarding views. It’s not a big walk, nor challenging but with that said the start might be considered a steep uphill ascent. Click here, if you want to see the offical pamphlet for Ermita Santa Llucia trail and step by step instructions online.
Fun Fact – A pilgrimage is made on the 13th of December every year in honour of Santa Llucia. Starting at the San Bartolome church, the participants make the walk up to the Ermita Santa Llucia. This is followed by a service, during which offerings of sweets and chocolates are made.
Los Molinos – The Windmills – 3+ options
🥾 Walking Level – easy / moderate
🪧 Walking Route – PR CV-355 / yellow and white
⭕️ Loop Track – 3 options
⏱ Trail Time – 1 hour 30 mins or 4 hours or 8+ hours
👣 Distance – 4.5 or 10 or 20+ km
🚗 Car Parking – at the trailhead
👨👩👧👧 Kid Friendly – yes
The Trail Location and the Sights
If you’re in Javea and look up to the ridge that runs from Montgo out to the Sant Antoni light house, you’re bound to see the 11 Molinos lining the peak. These were originally built as windmills to refine the grain from the area. But with industrialisation and a significant conversion of wheat to grapes, these subsequently became surplus to requirements.
One of the Molinos dates back to the 14th century and the others to the 18th century. They are no longer working, and all are missing the vaulted roves and iconic blades. Now only the rock cylindrical shaped structures can be seen. Some are privately owned and have been converted into houses, with the others in various states of restoration. However, they are still very impressive as well as offering stunning vistas over Javea.
Navigating The Walk & What to Expect
This is one of those trails that can either be taken as a smaller walk or can include other options. Below we share three options for walking trails that include a visit to the Molinos. Each trailhead departs from a different location within Javea.
✨ Note: The Molinos can be visited directly by car. Read our post on things to do in Javea for more details on how to plan your visit!
Option 1 – Shortest Route – 4.5 km
One of the main trails is a 1 hour and 30 minute walk. This 4.5 km loop track starts from the Sant Antoni nature reserve car park. This gentle walk allows trail-goers to enjoy the scenery and sights of Cap Sant Antoni, without the steep elevations.
From the carpark follow the white and yellow markers of PR CV-355. This track leads west along the ridge following the coast towards Denia. Eventually arriving at an old rundown police barracks, follow the signs pointing left towards Santuari de la Mare de Deu dels Angels. This smaller road crosses over the main road Ctra. del Cap de Sant Antoni. This is also the location of La Plana Monastery on the left which is a nice stop.
From here continue on the road, Cami del Monastir, until arriving at the Molinos. Once reaching the first Molino turn right following the ridge. Keeping Javea on the left, continue along this path until reaching the furtherest of the Molinos. Then doubling back to this same point to continue the trail and views of the remaining Molinos. To complete the track, follow the marker leading back towards the main road and carpark.
For this trail we recommend downloading the Wiciloc Trail guide app.
Option 2 – Half Day Route – 10-11 km
Alternatively, this half day intermediate level loop route starts at the port. Allowing 4 to 5 hours, this trail covers approximately 10 km with extra view point options within the trail map. This hike has some steep sections, so be prepared for some leg burn! Once again, follow the white and yellow markers of the PR CV-355.
Begin by finding a park in the Javea port. Then either follow the Wiciloc map below, or decide whether to include the small walk to the marine reserve Cala Tango. This is explained further on our list of best beaches in Javea, which offers some great snorkelling and a cliff jumping spot.
Follow the main PR CV-355 trail head to the Sant Antoni light house for some amazing views back towards Javea. Then after visiting the lighthouse, walk west along the ridge to the main Sant Antoni nature reserve car park.
Continue the track along the Plana del Cabo San Antonio, with optional view points towards the north of the Cape. At this point, the trail connects back onto the walk noted above. However, from the Molinos, follow the steep track back down to the port through town and finally past the Church Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Loreto.
Option 3 – Full Day Route Including Montgo – 20+ km
Our third 8+ hour trail, includes several further options to combine other highlights and sights of interest in Javea. Maybe a summit of Montgo or a visit to the impressive Cova Tallada caves. For this full intermediate to advanced walking track, we recommend that you download and print the offical PR CV-355 guide from the Xabia Tourist Centre.
Keep in mind the trail is straight. The trail head departs from the port and finishes with a summit and descent of Montgo. This means that the trail end as per the guide, completes at the Montgo Car Park aka Plana de St Jeroni. Consequently, hikers need to consider that the hike starts and finishes in two different locations.
⛰🌊 We briefly explain these trails below, but we’ve also created dedicated blogs for summiting Montgo and the walk to Cova Tallada.
We summited Montgo and visited Cova Tallada. However, walking 20+ km in one day with our kids aged 7 and 10 seemed over optimistic. Therefore we separated these trails into seperate days. One day for the Molinos, one for Cova Tallada, and another for Montgo.
Cala Blanca and Caleta de Dins – Beach Walk
🥾 Walking Level – easy
🏹 Straight Track
⏱ Trail Time – 20 minutes return
👣 Distance – 320 m
🚗 Car Parking – Cala Blanca Parking
👨👩👧👧 Kid Friendly – yes
The Trail Location and the Sights
For an easy stroll, or a beach that’s a little quieter with some great snorkelling check out Cala Blanca and Caleta de Dins. Read our post on best beaches for more information about these two bays as a swimming destination.
This pretty little walk takes you along the coastline at the southern end of Javea. It’s a pleasant 20 minute return walk covering less than 1 km.
Navigating The Walk & What to Expect
Park at the carpark at Cala Blanca. The first section of the walk follows the road and will bring you to Cala Blanca. This is a tiny little cove with an entrance you can swim out through, you will know it when you see it. Once here you can either follow the walking path up and around, for a better look from above. Alternatively, go down and follow the well-worn track around and through the two large holes in the rocks.
Eventually you will arrive at Caleta de Dins. The beach and the rock reef are a tranquil place to sit. But we definitely recommend combining this walk with a swim.
Cala Barraca aka Portixol – Beach Walk
🥾 Walking Level – easy
🪧 Walking Route – PR CV-97 / green and white
🏹 Straight Track
⏱ Trail Time – 40-45 minutes return
👣 Distance – 1.5 km return
🚗 Car Parking – Creu del Portixol
👨👩👧👧 Kid Friendly – yes
The Trail Location and the Sights
The gorgeous little pebbled beach of Cala Barraca IS accessible by car. But parking is limited and during the summer if you’re not there really early, like before 9am, then a parking space is unlikely. However, there is a perfect little 1.5 km, 45 minute return trip walk to get you there and back. This makes it a great walk to start the day, or take your swimmers, mask and snorkel and make a day of it.
Navigating The Walk & What to Expect
The walk starts at Creu del Portixol lookout point, which does have some parking but is also limited. Then it’s as simple as follow the green and white SL CV-97 trail towards Cala Barraca. From the car park it’s all downhill, which obviously means the reverse for the return walk back. Click through to the walking guide here from Xabia Tourist Centre to see the trail in more detail.
From the same car park is the Cap Prim walk which is explained next.
Cap Prim and Sardinera Cove – Mirador & Beach Walk
🥾 Walking Level – easy
🪧 Walking Route – PR CV-98 / green and white
🏹 Straight Track – 2 options
⏱ Trail Time – 1 hour +
👣 Distance – 2.2 km return
🚗 Car Parking – Creu del Portixol
👨👩👧👧 Kid Friendly – yes
The Trail Location and the Sights
This is a 2.2 km return walk to Cap Prim which takes around an hour. But this depends on if you wish to walk further down to Sardinera Cove. The walk out to the cape is an easy walk with little change in gradient. It provides some stunning views from the Cap Prim Mirador out to Isla del Portixol then back towards Javea.
Optional on this trail is Sardinera Cove. This is another of Javea’s beautiful stony calas, perfect for swimming in. You may find the cove full of boats during the summer as it’s quite a popular spot to anchor up for the afternoon. Sardinera is another great spot for snorkelling around the rocky shoreline on either side of the bay.
Navigating The Walk & What to Expect
The walks also starts at Creu del Portixol lookout point, labelled as SL CV 98 with white and green trail markers. However, at the bottom of the first set of stairs you turn left out towards Cap Prim. Just over the halfway point, is a track to the left down to Sardinera Cove. We chose to walk first to the Cap then stopping at Sardinera on our return for an afternoon swim.
Click here for the offical pamphlet for the Cap Prim walk from Xabia Tourism Centre.
Granadella – 4 Options – Mirador & Castle Walk
🥾 Walking Level – moderate
🪧 Walking Route – PR CV-354 / yellow and white
⭕️ Loop Track – 4 options
⏱ Trail Time – 1.5 hours – 5 hours
👣 Distance – 3.2 to 14 km
🚗 Car Parking – Granadella Car Park
👨👩👧👧 Kid Friendly – 7+ years
The Trail Location and the Sights
The Granadella walk has several options to choose from depending on fitness levels and time preferences. The beginning of the trail includes a nice 45 minute coastal walk out to the Granadella castle, which could also be the end point for a return walk.
But if you continue ahead choosing the loop trail, there are a further three optional tracks. The shortest taking 2.5 hours, the second taking 3 hours and the largest at 13.6 km and taking approximately 5 hours. The steep cliffs provide excellent miradors and lookouts, these panoramic views are some of the best in Javea!
Navigating The Walk & What to Expect
All of the walks start from the Granadella car park which is a 25 minute drive south of Javea Port. We recommend a small change to the All Trails map below. From the carpark, cross over the main road to Cami Vell de Morro de Castell, follow until it connects back to the track. This cuts out an unnecessary piece of the walk. Then from here, follow the yellow and white PR CV-354 trail.
The first section is a steep uphill climb before levelling off and leading around the headland. The views around the coast and back down to Granadella beach are spectacular. This track leads to the Granadella Castle ruins which takes around 45 minutes and comprises of several steep up and down sections as well as a small three rung ladder section over a larger rock face.
It’s important to take it slow on this portion of the track, and to wear suitable footwear such as trainers. In several places there are chain holds to help with balance.
Option 1 – The Granadella Castle – 3.2km Return
At the headland, the track emerges over the castle ruins. This is where the track splits, one path leading down to the castle and the other up the ridge line as part of the continuing loop tracks. From here hikers have the option either to turn back and take the same walk out or to continue on with the below.
Option 2 & 3 – The Granadella Smaller Loop Tracks – 5.2 to 6.7km
Follow the trail markers up to the ridge and along the southern coast to Mirador de Llevant. This takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, covering 2.6 km and reaching about 180m above sea level. Again, taking in some spectacular views.
After the Llevant lookout the track levels out and turns north west, taking you inland. Just under 1 km along this track is the first of two alternative loops back to Granadella Cove. The first option is Teuleria which covers 1.8 km and around 30m. Thereby a total walking distance and time of 5.2 km and 2 hours and 20 minutes.
The second option is 500m further along the main track named Gurugo. This loop is 2.9 km and takes 40 minutes to bring you back to Granadella. Thereby covering a total of 6.7 km and taking around 2 hours and 40 minutes.
This All Trails map highlights Option 2 – the smaller loop track – Teuleria. We chose to take Option 3 and walked back via the Gurugo trail, which with kids took 3 hours in total. For the complete Xabia Tourism Guide to the Granadella PR CV-354 trail click here.
Option 4 – Greater Granadella Loop Track – 14 km
This is the longest alternative route back to Granadella. So if you’re still on the main track then you’re in it for the long haul!
Wander ravines, ridges and plateaus for the best of the Granadella forest park. This area is largely uninhabited and therefore a great place to feel a sense of tranquility. You’ll occasionally pass other’s on the track, maybe even someone riding their horse. The Granadella track was one of our favourite walks in Javea.
Once you’ve finished any of these four walks, it’s well worth hitting the Granadella beach for a cool down. Or stop into one of the small restaurants for something to eat, or a refreshing cool cerveza.
Montgo – Summit and Mirador Walk
🥾 Walking Level – moderate – high
🪧 Walking Route – PR CV-355 / yellow and white
🏹 Straight Track
⏱ Trail Time – 3 to 4 hours return
👣 Distance – 7.5 km return
🚗 Car Parking – St Jeroni Carpark
👨👩👧👧 Kid Friendly – 7+ years
The impressive Montgo and iconic backdrop of Javea provides one of the region’s best walks. And for this reason we felt it deserved a dedicated post. Read here for summiting Montgo in Javea.
So in order to provide the basics here, the Montgo trail and hike is an 8.5 km, 3 hour return walk. The the trailhead begins at the St Jeroni car park in the Montgo Natural Park. It’s categorised as an intermediate to difficult walk.
And as with all summits, it’s straight up! Starting at 216 metres the highest point reaches 753 metres. There are sections towards the top of the hike that require some grit… we were using all fours at points on the trail. This said, despite the challenges Montgo poses, the views are spectacular and the self satisfaction when you reach the top just can’t be beat. We took our kids aged 7 years and above and they thrived on the challenge!
Cova Tallada – Sea Cave Walk
🥾 Walking Level – moderate
🪧 Walking Route – PR CV-355 / yellow and white
🏹 Straight Track
⏱ Trail Time – 1 hour return
👣 Distance – 1.6 km return
🚗 Car Parking – Parking on Carretera Provincial Barranco Monyo
👨👩👧👧 Kid Friendly – 7+ years – younger children could go with parent help
This was another one of our family favourite walks. Cova Tallada is a 1.6 km, 1 hour coastal return walk, that starts in Denia. The highlights of this walk are the man made sea caves that have been carved out during the sand sone mining period.
While the walk is not long, it does have a couple of super tricky sections. Including a couple of areas where you need to hold a support rope. But also the challenging final descent into the cave where you need to time the incoming waves to avoid getting taken down. However, the main attraction of the amazing sea cave at the end is well worth the effort.
As such the Cova Tallada walk is best made at low tide. It is also a requirement to register online for the walk during the peak summer season. But read our full review of the Cova Tallada walk here .
More Walks and Things to Do in Javea
The quality, diversity and choice of walks and treks around Javea are something really special. As a family who love the great outdoors this is something we really enjoy doing and is a great way to get out, spend time together and connect with community and mother-nature.
With so much to choose from, the best thing to do is grab your day bag, a pair of sturdy walking shoes and go check out these awesome walks in Javea.
Don’t miss out on these other activities and things to do in Javea!
- A review of the best kayak and snorkelling tours in Javea
- The best 8 beaches to visit in summer in Javea
- Visiting Javea with kids – activities and ideas for the whole family
- A complete list of things to do in Javea
We now travel full-time and have plenty more itineraries and guides to share on all the destinations we visit. Sign up to follow our journey! (And don’t worry we won’t spam you with unnecessary emails.)
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