Route of the 6000 Steps

The Route of the 6000 Steps is a tough circular trek in the Vall de Laguar, in the Marina Alta of Alicante province, usually started from the village of Fleix. The marked PR-CV 147 trail crosses the Barranc de l'Infern gorge twice, descending and climbing thousands of dry-stone steps built by the Morisco population before their expulsion in 1609. The full loop runs around 14 to 17 km with roughly 800 meters of ascent, taking about five to six hours, which is why locals nickname it the "cathedral of hiking." Much of the route has no shade. In summer the heat is dangerous, so do not hike it in the middle of the day, carry plenty of water, and ideally come in the cooler months. The reward is a relentless rhythm of hand-laid steps threading sheer limestone walls and dry riverbeds deep in the Valencian backcountry.