Summer mountain walks

Magical moments in the heart of the mountains

Endémica Natura is running weekly sunset tours throughout the Marina Alta all summer – guided walks around its most glorious, arresting scenery.

All trips start at 19.00, cost €8 per head or €5 for children aged six to 12 inclusive (under-sixes go free), which includes accident insurance, and take around three hours.

The usual anti-pandemic safety measures apply, and booking is required as places are limited – call María on 616 043 173 or email info@endemicanatura.com with your full name, contact telephone number and year of birth.

Saturday, August 8 Vall de Laguar natural springs

More water for a refreshing tour of this remote mountain enclave with its ancient washing stations, transit routes where donkeys carried farm goods along the arduous trek between high-altitude villages, and an explosion of Mediterranean plant life. A rural paradise with a clear panoramic view of the coastline on one side and endless mountain ranges on the other, oozing with bucolic history.

Saturday, August 15 La Xara, Benimàquia and prehistoric wine

Vineyards at the foot of the Montgó mountain are nothing new; wine merchants were working the area well over 2,000 years ago, and they're still at it today (although not the same people, of course). Find out how they did it then and how they do it now, and see if you can spot the difference. If you're on your best behaviour, you might even get a free glass thrown in.

Saturday, August 22 Gata de Gorgos: Life on the riverbank

Here, you'll be heading for the rural enclave known as the Font de la Mata, named after the Mastic tree, or mata, right in its heart. Its shape and size is unusual, to say the least, and is a natural landmark locals are justly proud of. You'll also explore the depths of the mountain range that surrounds it, and learn about how generations of residents lived, and still live, on the banks of the river Gorgos that gives the town its name.