Walking to El Faro: Sierra Helad Natural Park, Spain

“El Faro” in Albir
It’s an easy walk from the Valencian seaside resort town of Albir to the lighthouse at the top of Sierra Helada, or “Ice Mountain”, in the Sierra Helada Natural Park in southern Spain.

We’d heard the stories about the Costa Blanca (White Coast) on the Mediterranean in Southern Spain: cheap flights from the northern parts of Europe makes this area a playground for “hens parties”, retirees, and school-leavers.

On our recent stay in Alicante Province, Spain, my husband and I met representatives of all these groups. We were staying in the planned resort of Platja de l’Albir (also called Albir, El Albir or L’Albir) – part of the Valencian town of L’Alfàs del Pi – and we discovered (like countless tourists before us) a region with a magnificent climate, good infrastructure, and innumerable reasonably-priced options for food, accommodation, and recreation.

One of Albir’s top attractions is the short walk from the Playa de Racó (“beach corner”) waterfront to El Faro (the lighthouse) in the Parque Natural de la Serra Gelada.

Join us for a stroll.

Anchor sculpture on the Mediterranean, Albir, Alicante Spain

Anchor on the Mediterranean
A giant sculpture of an anchor give visitors to Albir a distinct sense of place.

Lovers on a Bench, Playa Albir, Alicante Spain

Lovers on Playa Albir
The Mediterranean Sea entertained us with endless blues.

Playa Albir
It is mid-May; the northern-European tourists have not yet arrived in their full numbers, but the beach is already busy.

Costa Blanca – White Coast
As we walk towards the Sierra Helad National Park, we have views over the Mediterranean towards the rocky outcrop at Peñón de Ifach.

Pathway Markers
There are a number of walking trails in the park.

Tunnel on Ruta Amarilla
Our trail to the lighthouse is on a short, well-marked and smoothly-surfaced section of the Ruta Amarilla (Yellow Route).

Fringed Pinks – Dianthus
The first section of the trail is a little steep – especially in the afternoon heat after a late Spanish lunch!

Fringed Pinks – Dianthus
The many herbs and wildflowers make good excuses to pause for rest.

El Faro in Albir
The lighthouse comes into view 439 meters above sea level on Serra Gelada – Frozen Mountain. The mountain’s name was reputedly given to it by fishermen who though it looked like an iceberg from the sea on moonlit nights.

Wild Daisies – Calendula Arvensis

El Faro on Serra Gelada
The lighthouse is another bend closer, sitting amid its scrubby vegetation. The smells from the Mediterranean heather, thyme, and lavender bushes are delightful on the warm air.

Yellow Thistles
I had no idea thistles came in any colours other than purple! These yellow ones were all along the trail.

Ancient Ruins
The base of the mountain is dotted with caves that were used by smugglers and pirates between the 16th and 18th centuries, and lookouts were built along the ridge tops to keep watch.

Down to the Ochre Mines
The hillside also has ruins from 19th century ochre mining enterprises that you can visit. The stone pylons in the valley were part of the supports for the wagon rails.

Path up to El Faro
Today the lighthouse operates a few hours a day as an information centre, …

The Light
… but it was closed long before we arrived.

Marine Mists and Fish Farms
The views from the hilltop are stunning and well worth the walk.

Sign Posting
The whole walk is dotted with informative signs in Spanish and English.

Yellow Thistle and Ruins

Spanish Lavender (Lavandula Stoechas)
Spanish Lavender grows wild in this arid Mediterranean climate…

Smell the Spanish Lavender!
… and it smells wonderful!

Looking towards Albir
The walk down was much quicker than the walk up, and before long we could see the town of Albir and the mountains behind through the rock-slide tunnel.

Ardilla Roja
Our final treat was a red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) peaking out from behind an Aleppo pine (pinus halepensus) tree.

Red Squirrel (Sciurus Vulgaris)
I was especially excited because I had never seen one in the wild. The numbers of red squirrels have decreased markedly in much of Europe.

It was a pleasant walk, and we had absolutely perfect weather: sunny and clear but not too hot. I was glad not to be doing it in the heat or crowds of summer!

Text: Happy Rambling