Walking and trekking in Calpe

The Príncipe de Asturias Ecological walking Trail is an easy route suitable for those wishing to take a walk along the coastline of Calpe in zero difficult path, especially if you are going with children and pets.

The trail starts near the fishing port, right on the El Raco cove, at the foot of the Rock of Ifach. You will find a parking lot, about 50 meters from the start of the route, where you will see a nice and even promenade ideal for enjoying the views of the Sierra de Olta, Serra Gelada, Puig Campana and the Sierra de Bernia mountain ranges.

There is an information panel at the beginning of the promenade which shows the parts of the route and introduces us to the path that goes along the stone walls near the Rock of Ifach and the sea. The route ends at the helipad designated area, where you can enjoy the wonderful views of the sea. The round trip route from the fishing port takes no more than half an hour to be completed.

Those who prefer a little more of challenging or just working out a little bit can make the Rock of Ifachpath all the way through tunnel and climb to the top of the Rock, but keep in mind that this trail is not advisable for young children.

The Rock of Ifach

“What would Ifach say if it could talk?” is the name of a touristic oriented program organized by the town of Calpe. This program includes several tours across the environmental and cultural heritage of the Rock of Ifach Natural Park.

The next visits will take place on 16 and 30 November and 14 December, 2011, at 10:00 h.

It is highly recommend wearing appropriate footwear and clothing for an outdoors activity this time of year. The activity lasts approximately 2 hours and a half and follows the low difficulty trail all the way to the tunnel. This trail is open to everyone, but it is not recommended for children under 12 years old.

The meeting point will be -as usual- at the Information Center offices of the Natural Park (Ejércitos Españoles Ave., 44).

The visit is free of charge; however registration in advance is required. To enroll in this activity you must specify name, phone number, email address and town of residence in an email to Ifach_cma@gva.es or calling tourist info office at 96 583 75 96

Excavations in the Medieval Ifach Village

Our readers might be familiar with the great archeological site full of medieval ruins called the Village of Ifach.

This walled city has witnessed the history of Calpe, including the fight between the Genoese and the locals for the control of this strategic location. Now, seven centuries from its most active time, this archaeological site is a very interesting tourist attraction and one of the most representative ones of the Middle Ages in Valencia Region.

To involve the youngest members of our society in the history and background of this site, the Valencia Government and the local tourism offices have developed a program which name would translate along the lines of “Being an archaeologist for a day and discover the remains of the Villa of Ifac”.

This program is intended to promote interest in local history among children who visit this site through putting them in archaeologist’s shoes for a while and, through experimentation, learn and discover history themselves.

This activity is designed for children 6 to 8 and will be conducted at the northern slope of the rock every Tuesday in July between 10:00 h and 12:00 h.

For more information about this activity, please phone call at 679 195 912 or send an email to ifac_cma@gva.es

Los Baños de la Reina (the Queen’s Baths)

There is nothing such as low season In Calpe for conducting outdoor activities. For this reason, the Calpe Tourism Council in collaboration with the Archaeological Museum of Calpe and the Ifach Rock Natural Park are organizing a series of outdoor activities to visit Calpe’s natural wonders in February:

“Penyal d’Ifac” What would Ifac say if it could talk? Guided tour with remarks on local heritage studies. Visit to the archaeological remains of the “Vila d’Ifac” and hiking up to the tunnel.
Dates: 9^th, 16^th and 23^rd February. Time: 10:00 h. Departure point: Nature Interpretation Centre of the Rock of Ifach. Free of charge.

“Queen’s Bath” guided tour to archaeological sites where you will discover how the Roman settlers lived there.
Date: 18^th February. Time: 10:00 h.  Departure point: Luxembourg Street. Free of charge.

Rural guided tour with stops in places like “Pou Salat “and the Ethnological Museum Casa Coco.

Dates: 4^th and 25^th February. Time: 10:00 h. Departure point:  L’Esport Street, in front of REPSOL petrol station. Free of charge.

“Oltà Circular Hiking” trip to the Oltà mountains.
Dates: 11^th February. Time: 10:00 h. Departure point: Oltà camping area. Free of charge activity.

This video by La Sexta cannel shows the practice of this exciting extreme sport from the Penon de Ifach.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLLVkTtrCL0

Rock of Ifach

Those in the mood for outdoors activities are in luck. There are many excursions programmed in Calpe throughout November. On our opinion, the circular route around Sierra de Olta is just great. If you like hiking, you should not miss it.

Archaeology and history enthusiasts can join the walk to the Banos de la Reina archaeological site on November 2^nd, 16^th and 30^th at 10:00 h. Starting point: Luxemburgo st.

November also brings snorkeling trips. The equipment is given by the organisers for the duration of the activity. The planned days are Saturdays 6^th, 13^th, 20^th and 27^th at 15:00 h. The meeting point is CEMAS, at 4 Gibraltar st.

The sailing trip along the coast to Cala Penyal or Cala Gasparet can include scuba diving. It also starts in CEMAS, 4 Gibraltar st, each Sunday of November at 13:00 h – 7^th, 14^th, 21^st y 28^th.

There is also a guided trek we have mentioned in previous posts, to the Ifach Rock, at 16:30 h on Saturday 6^th, 13^th, 20^th and 27^th from the foot of the Ifach rock (by the parking area).

Culture vultures can opt for guided walks around the historic centre of Calpe on Fridays, November 5^th, 12^th, 19^th and 26^th in Casa de Cultura, 1 Masnou ave.

Our recommendation, the route to Sierra de Oltà, will take place on Tuesday, November 23^rd 2010 at 10:00 h. The starting point is the Olta camping area.

Another trip to the countryside takes you to Pou Salat,the Museo Etnológico Casa Cocó, the botanical garden and other relevant places. It starts on L’Esport st, in front of the Repsol gas station, on Tuesday 9^th of November at 100:00 h.

For additional details and signup information, please visit the Calpe Tourist Office.

Ifach Rock, emblematic landmark in the Costa Blanca

Regional and local institutions invite you to the Ifach Rock by organising free excursions throughout October and November. These are the options:

“Peñón de Ifach” guided hike: Visit the Medieval Ifach Village and hike up to the Ifach tunnel. This excursion will take place most Saturdays from 13:00 h.
Dates: October 2nd, 16th and 30th, and November 6th, 13th ,20th and 27th.
Starting point: Foot of the Ifach Rock (by the parking lot).
Length: Approx. 2h.

This series of hikes is organised by the Calpe’s Town Hall Tourism Department.
To sign up, please contact the Calpe Tourist Info Offices by calling at 965 838 532, e-mailing them at calpecentro@touristinfo.net or visiting its offices at Mosquit square.

“If the Ifach Rock could speak, what would it tell us?” : This hiking route focuses primarily on the archaeological and natural treasures this rock hides.  Hikers taking part in this route will be able to know first hand the latest historic discoveries by a group of archaeologists who work hard to rebuild the medieval villa.
Dates: October 6th and 20th and November 3rd and 17th.

These excursions are organised by the “Parc Natural del Penyal d’Ifac” -Ifach Rock Nature Park- in collaboration with the Environment Department of the Generalitat Valenciana.
For further information about this activitiy and to sign up, please call 679 591 912 or e-mail at ifac_cma@gva.es.

We strongly recommend you to plan ahead of time. Availability is limited.

Hotel AR Roca Esmeralda & Spa ***, Calpe

Hotel AR Roca Esmeralda & Spa in Calpe has three stars,and  is located directly on the beach front of the Playa de Levante. In full view of the magnificent symbol of Calpe the  Peñon de Ifach ( the Rock of Calpe).The ideal location of the Hotel  AR Roca Esmeralda & Spa *** could´nt be better, you literally step out of reception onto the promenade. It boasts  88 double rooms and 124 double rooms with living room especially designed for families at reasonable prices.

More information about accommodation throughout  Calpe:

- Hoteles Sol y Mar

- Hotel Spa Beach Club Calpe

- Camping Levante Calpe .

- Hotel AR Diamante Beach Calpe .

- Camping Calpemar Calpe .

- Hotel Bahía Calpe

- Camping La Merced Calpe

- Hotel Calpe SH Ifach .

- Zona Acampada Oltà Calpe

- Hotel Porto Calpe

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVbtQ6h8POY

Calpe SH Ifach 4-star hotel

The Calpe SH Ifach 4-star hotel is considered one of the top 5 hotels in Calpe, which currently has about 35 accommodation options including hotels, hostels, hotels and camping areas.

The SH Ifach Hotel Calpe is located in Avenida Juan Carlos I s / n, 150 m from the Playa de la Fossa, overlooking the seafront promenade of the Infanta Elena and 1 km from the town centre of Calpe.

It has 193 rooms many with views of the Penon de Ifach, 170 double rooms, 22 superior double rooms and one suite. Standard double rooms are very nice,they have a terrace and bathroom and, if you wish you can request a king size bed. The price is usually  35 euros cheaper than the premium rooms. The hotel offers bed and breakfast, half board or full board, it is probably worth taking half board as the buffet restaurant is very good and after a long day at the beach or visiting Calpe eating at the hotel is a very good idea . The hotel also  has an excellent outdoor swimming pool with terrace. It is a very recommendable place for family trips especially if small children because the hotel entertainment  is excellent and they offer a reliable babysitting service.

We recommend both the hotel and the rooms as they are large and very clean.The location could  not be better as it allows easy access to go to the beach, the centre of Calpe, the fishing port and the promenade all  on foot.

The Levante or La Fossa Beach in Calpe

The Levante beach or the Fossa is  the most popular beach of Calpe. This is an  unusual picture of the Levante beach as it is very hard to find it so devoid people.

The Levante beach is situated north of the Rock of Ifach, (“Peñon de Ifach,”) and  has stretches along  950 meters of white sand; a delight for those who like to lie on the sand and enjoy the sun.

It is the most all-inclusive  beach of Calpe thanks to  the number of amenities it offers , among which are the easy accesses, litter bins, playground, scooters and beach umbrellas and hammocks for rent. Also, the  foot showers, bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, a sports area and lifeguards provided by  the Red Cross.

In the summer it offers an area with services to facilitate access to the bathroom for the disabled equipped with amphibious chair, bathrooms, showers and changing rooms.

This beach is always kept extremely clean, so much so, that it is hard to believe the amount of people that frequent the beach in the Summer. In recent years the Playa de Levante or  La Fossa beach has  been awarded the blue flag which it holds since 2004. It also boasts the  certification Q Quality awarded by the Spanish Tourism Quality Institute.

In the summer evenings one can enjoy outdoor cinema whilst relaxing on the sand and during the afternoon  one can amble along it´s beautiful  promenade with pubs, restaurants, ice cream parlours, shops etc. In the Summer it is a  busy place for almost 24 hours a day and is actually, quite difficult to catch in the peaceful state seen in the photograph.

Free tours Calpe, Voramar Calalga

Free tours in Calpe during February 2010, organized by the Department of Tourism of the City of Calpe. To register you only need to go to the information desk  at the Tourist Information office known as,” Tourist Info Calpe Peñon”, which you can find on the  Avenida  de los Ejercitos Españoles 44, or call  965 836 920.

On all tours they recommend that you  wear comfortable shoes and take water, as all trips are made on foot.

The first guided tour, the “Voramar Calalga” tour, will be leave from the , “Plaza Mediterráneo,” ( the Mediterranean Square) at 10.00h on Thursday, 25th February 2010. And is estimated to take about an hour and a half.

The Cala Calalga in Calpe is situated at the end of the Levante Beach. This easy  hike will take you along a trail where you can admire the magnificent views of the coastline, passing through some of the coves to the Port of Calp Bassetes

The second guided tour on Thursday, February 25th 2010 called,”Hiking Vila d’Ifach” is set  to leave from the foot of the Peñon de Ifach at 12.30h (by the car park).

It will consist of a guided tour around the archaeological site of Vila d’Ifach. and is estimated to last approximately one hour.