Discover Serrella, The ‘Pyrenees Of Alicante’
The province of Alicante hides many surprising corners in its mountains. They are sometimes very little known places, but no less beautiful than the well-known beaches and coves of the Costa Blanca. In this article we are going to talk about one of its mountains: Serrella, which they call the ‘Pyrenees of Alicante’.
Although Alicante is often associated with its beaches and coves, few people outside these lands know that this is one of the most mountainous provinces in Spain. Here are the last foothills of the Betics before sinking into the sea, to emerge in the Pitiusas and Mallorca.
Where is the Serrella mountain range?
One of these mountains is Serrella, a natural border between the regions of Las Marinas and El Comtat. Although more than a mountain range, we are talking about an authentic mountain range oriented from west to east along more than 15 kilometers. In addition, we find other emblematic mountains of Alicante: Xortà, Bernia and Morro de Toix, natural extensions of Serrella.
Serrella is known as the ‘Pyrenees of Alicante’, along with the spectacular Guadalest valley and the imposing Sierra de Aitana. However, it is not in the top 3 of Alicante’s highest peaks, an honor that corresponds to Aitana, the vertical Puig Campana and Montcabrer, the summit of the emblematic Sierra de Mariola.
So … why is it compared to the Pyrenees? For its landscapes. It is a mountain range of modest altitude (its summit, the Pla de la Casa, does not reach 1400 meters). However, a great variety of landscapes follow one another due to the type of rock, the altitude, the orientation and the vegetation. Also due to its great unevenness with respect to the surrounding valleys and holes.
Serrella and fairytale places
On the north face of Serrella we can find one of the most surprising places in the province of Alicante : els Frares de Quatretondeta or les Agulles de la Serrella. They are large rock pinnacles, in some cases more than 50 meters high, the result of the dissolution of the rock by water (limestone rock predominates).
There is a small path that crosses els Frares between vertical rocks and vertigo. We will find a landscape from another world : caves, needles, impossible shapes. They are places that will take us to other parts of the world. One of the many surprises that this wonderful mountain range has.
This is one of the corners that we can find in the mountains. If we go up the marked trails to Pla de la Casa, the summit of Serrella, several more surprises await us. The top is located on a plateau, with a large snowfield in its center, surrounded by small meadows and the typical vegetation of the Mediterranean mountains. All this guarded by several ridges. Pyrenean dyes in the province of Alicante.
Climbing one of these ridges, following at all times the official trail markings for a short distance, we will reach the Pla de la Casa cross, at almost 1400 meters. Next to it you will see the remains of the Xeroles tower, remains of the castle located at the highest altitude in the province of Alicante.
Other corners of the sierra
From the higher areas we will enjoy spectacular views of the province of Alicante, but also of the neighboring provinces. On clear days you can perfectly appreciate the island of Ibiza and the Penyagolosa, in the province of Castellón. What more could you want?
We invite you to visit Serrella, the ‘Pyrenees of Alicante’, to discover its many surprises. You can discover Peña Africa, walk under ivy-covered walls, reach the other peaks, visit and refresh yourself in its many fountains, explore its caves. And much more. But we do not tell you more and we invite you to know it.
