Peak practice on the Peñon

Number of visitors allowed on Peñon de Ifach limited

Number of visitors limited to avoid natural park damage

ACCESS to the summit of the Peñon de Ifach at Calpe – one of the Costa Blanca’s most famous landmarks – is being controlled on safety grounds this summer.

The path from the tunnel to the top of the limestone rock is steep and narrow; at times visitors must scramble stretches of the journey.

And with up to 3,000 people arriving at the Peñon, the Valencia government is regulating numbers heading for the peak until August 31.

It has ruled that only 150 people will be allowed on the passage at any one time, keeping numbers entering to 20 people every 15 minutes as visitors return on the downward trip.

“This control will only be applied at times of the greatest influx of visitors,” said a spokesman. “That is, when numbers on the path exceed 150.

“With these measures, it is hoped to reconcile the numbers of people visiting with the conservation of this natural space – at the same time avoiding overcrowding, discomfort and the risk to members of the public.”

Access to the Peñon’s visitor and information centres will not be limited. They are open Monday to Friday from 08.30 to 14.30, and at weekends and public holidays between 09.00 and 14.00 – there is a picnic and recreational area, toilets, and drinking water.

Councillor Carole Saunders said the move to control access “to this very famous landmark” was successfully tried during the Easter holidays, a time when numbers of visitors to Calpe also spikes.

She said: “It is being done for safety reasons. After the tunnel it can get dangerous – in places there is only room for two people at the most and some parts are incredibly steep.

“People also try and climb in flip flops, sandals and summer dresses; which are not really suitable for the terrain so I appeal for them to be sensible.”