Benissa Ecological Walk

The path keeps changing level. It drops by steps to a cove, runs along the shoreline at the water's edge, then climbs back into pine woodland above the rocks, and the coastline stays in view nearly the whole way.

Between the coves come sandy beaches where you can stop for a swim, benches along the path and a picnic area. The route was laid out to show the botany and geology of the Benissa shore, so the rock and plants at your feet hold as much interest as the views. Birds work the shoreline and the pines.

• Steps run up and down the whole route and some stretches are narrow; walking to the end and back takes a couple of hours at a fit pace.
• There are no public toilets or drinking-water points nearby. Bring water, especially in summer.
• Sections of the path have been closed, and the signs are easy to miss walking in reverse; ask at the tourist office near the car park.
• For a longer day the trail continues along the coast beyond the walk; carry an offline map app.
• Bring a bag and take your rubbish home with you.

You arrive at La Fustera, on the Benissa coast. Two free car parks sit about 50 m and 180 m from the walk, and the Benissa tourist office is about 45 m away, the place to pick up a map or ask about closures. The La Fustera bus stop is about 230 m away.

From there you are straight onto the shore path. It is a linear route, so the usual plan is out and back. On foot, the coast trail also continues as far as La Fossa beach in Calpe.

Best: early morning or late afternoon, in spring and autumn.

Avoid: the middle of the day in high summer.

Much of the route is open rock and steps with shade only where the pines close in, the climbs are hard going in the heat, and the beaches along the way fill up in July and August.