Walking Granadella – part 2
LAST week we had reached the Mirador Granadella vantagepoint. The sign tells us that it is 3.8km on the PR-CV 354 to Cala Granadella. There is also a walkboard at the ‘mirador’ which shows the PR route.
Around five metres past the information point, notice the gap in the fence and a white/ yellow waymark. Take this path and start the descent. Head through the pines and reach a track. Bear left. Follow the track, ignoring offshoots and when the track forks, keep left. Go straight on, passing the bee sign, and up the hill.
Come to another Cala Granadella sign (here – from a distance – you will see the waterpoint and watchtower again). Following the sign, bear left to follow the track. At the next sign bear left – you will now realise that you are taking a rather indirect route to the cove.
The track leads to the path which descends into the shallow ravine that leads all the way to Granadella. It’s a wide stony path which runs along the ravine floor. It arrives at a ‘tunnel’ that passes under the road that also runs to the cove. Out the other side, the waymarked path continues, passing
another historic ‘oven’ from the mining industry.
The path is now running parallel to the road, and passes under it again. Come to a signpost which reveals that the cove is 200 metres away. The ‘cala’ is a wonderful spot. At most times of the year the crystal-clear water is too tempting to resist and you will have to take a plunge. There are also restaurants
behind the beach if you haven’t brought your own lunch.
After having your fill, return to the sign 200 metres away. There are two options. To head back to the Cumbre del Sol via the castle (coastal route) or take the inland route. I took the inland route, although in hindsight, the other would have probably been better for views.
The inland route is called the ‘Gurugú’ variant. It heads directly away from the cove, passing a dead-end sign. It’s another shallow ravine. Follow it inland for just under 1km, then bear left onto a path to start the ascent up the side of the ravine. It’s a steady climb through countryside that was ravaged by the 2016 fire but which has made a good recovery, now full of greenery and wild herbs.
The path emerges at a track – a good viewpoint back to the coast. Bear left to continue ascending. At the next sign, it’s a left turn for the castle ruins, but our route goes straight on, with the Cumbre del Sol now visible in the distance.
At a fork bear right. Follow the track for a short distance before keeping left to follow the path. The path bears round to drop into the shallow ravine on the right. Descend and then go up the other side. Emerge at a track. The PR route returns to the coast by turning right, but our route goes left to get back to the Cumbre del Sol. Emerging at the houses, turn left, then first right to get back to the parking area.
To do this walk in summer you would need to start at dawn, or earlier.
Walk facts
Length – 14km; Time – Between 4 to 6 hours; Ascent – 250 metres; Getting lost rating – medium/low; Difficulty – medium; Season – spring/autumn/winter; Getting there – Follow the signs for Lady Elizabeth school from the centre of Benitachell. Drive past the school and find a place to park away from the school buildings