Exploring the wild side of the Costa Blanca
Exploring the wild side of the Costa Blanca
This site contains affiliate links, so I might receive a commission if you click and buy something. It doesn´t cost you any extra, but I could treat myself to some extra snacks to keep me going on my outdoor adventures! Read more in my Privacy Policy
Els Arcs (PR-CV 151) is an easy hiking route, to visit two large arches that have great geological interest.
It is an official “sendero” (hiking route), located in the PNM Paraje Natural Municipio Castell de Castells, established in 2005. This “natural landscape” is situated in the extensive La Serrella mountain range.
This area is home to tall, steep mountains, with sharp ridges, surrounded by forest and broken up with ravines. Forests are made up pine, holm oak, maple, ash and gall oak trees.
In the eastern part of this area two magnificent arches (Els Arcs ) were naturally formed many years ago on the northern hillside of the Aixortá mountain range (Sierra de Aixortá).
They are formed from limestone, and began to take shape when this area was still under the sea!
Due to its proximity to the sea and altitude, this area receives a lot of rainfall/humidity, so Els Arcs will continue to transform over the years to come.
These conditions also encourage an abundance of flora and fauna.
This natural landscape provides habitat to birds of prey, such as eagles, Peregrine falcons and the Eagle owl. I saw many birds of prey during my trip in the area!
It is also home to land animals, such as the bastard snake, Oscillated lizard and European hedgehog.
Looking for ESSENTIAL OUTDOOR GEAR for your mountain adventures?
This Els Arcs hiking route involves three intentional detours in order to visit:
The Els Arcs route consists of:
Recommended gear for health tracking:
HUAWEI Smart watch
Rapid charging and long-lasting battery (6 colours available)
This is an easy hike, mainly walking on concrete roads with some wide flat gravel tracks.
There is one windy slope/hill to ascend, since the route begins at the bottom of the mountain range, but it is not too steep or challenging. You can see the elevation here.
The detour to the Els Arcs involves a narrower hiking trail, with a few small “steps” up, which it is a little more difficult that the rest. However, it will be easy for anybody who is used to hiking.
The route is suitable for:
The route is not suitable for:
However, there are some alternative parking places, resulting in shorter/easier hikes to Els Arcs if you would like to reduce the distance of the hike.
This hike can be done at any time of the year.
It could be difficult in the middle of summer, since there is almost no shade.
In winter, the area where the Els Arcs are located is in the shade of the mountain. Consequently, you may feel cold at the arcs if you visit in colder seasons. However, when you return to the main track, it is exposed to the sun again.
The official starting point and parking area for the Els Arcs route is here at Pla dÁialt.
(Google Maps™ mapping service is a trademark of Google LLC and this blog is not endorsed by or affiliated with Google in any way)
Here you will find parking places in the side of the road, as well as an information board.
You can follow my route to Els Arcs here.
On the app (if you have Premium), I recommend that you mark the route as “available offline” in advance, because the signal in this area is very poor.
The official distance of the Els Arcs hiking route is 6.9km, but I did a little more due to exploring the caves, accidentally passing the natural spring, and going back on myself to take a photo!
The official theoretical time is 3 hours, and I took just over that, which included stopping for a snack break as well as exploring.
Love JUMPING FROM CLIFFS into fresh cool mountain water?
To begin the Els Arcs hiking route from the parking area, follow the main track towards the mountain.
Track
The initial part of this road is a gravel track, which in parts can be quite rocky.
Perhaps this part of this road has been left rough on purpose – to deter people from driving any further!
Ruin
On the right-hand side there is a ruin in the field.
Road
You will reach a house, where the track becomes a concrete road. This is much more comfortable to walk (and drive) on.
This is an impressive start to the route, where you will be surrounded by quaint farmland and pretty orchards, but with tree-covered hills and staggering mountains in the background. You will also have the morning sun shining in your face.
Detour to Font “Aljub de Xorquet” (natural spring)
At the end of the road, turn left and walk for a few minutes.
There is also a small stream on your right. When I visited in December 2025, the stream was dry.
The natural spring is also on the right, although it is not obvious because the water is stored underground and would be collected with a bucket (i.e. there is no tap or flowing water source).
You can open the door of the building and look inside to see the old winch and the water below.
Do not walk any further than this (like I accidentally did). Return to the road.
Concrete road
Follow the winding road up the mountain and follow signs for “ELS ARCS” (it is very well signposted).
Turn right here.
This is technically part of the main road (CV-752), but I do not recommend driving down from here in a normal car!
Country track
Here, the pretty landscape continues, but the change of direction offers a different perspective.
There is a feeling of stepping into nature as you leave the road and walk onto the more natural terrain underfoot.
Interested in hiking, exploring and HUNTING FOR CAVES near Planes
Detour to Els Arcs
At the end of the road, turn left at the “t-junction” and walk for about 10 minutes to reach Els Arcs.
Alternative option:
At this point, it is possible to make the route a little more difficult and slightly longer.
Instead of turning right, continue walking up the road for another 20 minutes, and access Els Arcs via a higher footpath here.
From here the scenery is particularly attractive as you follow the clear path between the trees and hills, finally following the steep mountainside on the left.
The landscape opens up allowing you to see further along the majestic mountain range (which offers a rather long and scenic linear hike for those who like a more challenging hike!)
Ruin and “cave”
On the way to Els Arcs you will see a big dark green heart shape on the vertical wall to the left. This is actually where a crawling plant has grown up the wall.
This has a very small path leading up to a ruin just below it, as well as a cave/shelter just to the left.
TOP TIP for Adventurers:
If you like Scrambling, there is an interesting rocky area on the left wall just after the ruin.
You could ascend this rock, follow the edge around to the right, and meet the higher path that also leads to Els Arcs from above.
You won´t miss out on the ruin and cave mentioned above, since Els Arcs are usually accessed by a detour, so you will pass them on the way back.
Recommended gear for hiking:
OSPREY HIKELITE 32l backpack (unisex)
7 colours and 2 sizes available
Two paths
The path splits into two:
I recommend that you veer left on the way there, so that you can visit the viewpoint, and get a good view of Els Arcs before approaching it…
“Mirador Els Arcs” (viewpoint)
The viewpoint is just a few minutes before Els arcs, wheer you will find an information board.
Cave behind Els Arcs
There is a cave just behind Els Arcs, which is a great place to have a rest away from the crowds!
TOP TIP for Adventurers:
You can access the cave via:
Then it´s an easy scramble up into the cave.
Warning It is slippery when wet, and the cave is not very exposed to the sun.
From Els Arcs go back to the “t-junction” and continue along the track, following signs to “PENYA ESCODA”, which is the next official detour on this route.
House
You will pass quite a new looking house (although it is logged as a “ruin” on my route).
This is a great place to take a snack/lunch break because it is a “sun-trap”.
Detour to Penya Escoda
After the house, continue on the path to the “t-junction”.
Turn left and follow the rocky track that descends downhill.
The route leading to this area is another kind of pretty, with daisies, flower-covered fields, and more dense trees surrounding the path.
“Penya Escoda” mirador (viewpoint)
Penya Escoda is a viewpoint that allows you to enjoy a different view towards the west of this (quite large) Els Arcs natural landscape.
From here you can look down on the forest below, and enjoy panoramic views of the area.
There is also an information board, which you can view here.
Want to visit an outdoor ROCK ART MUSEUM hidden away in the mountains of Elche?
Alternative option:
If you would simply like to enjoy this view without doing the hiking route, it is possible to drive directly to the Penya Escoda viewpoint from the main road (CV-752).
There is a short uphill gravel track, with parking spaces for 2-3 cars (depending on how they are positioned).
Technically, the track continues, but (you will easily see) that it is very rocky after this point, so I do not recommend trying it!
Return route
Walk back up the same track to go to the “t-junction” and follow signs for “PLA D´AIALT”.
You must to veer right/down – even though the sign appears to pointing upwards!
Quad/dirtbike track
On the right there is quad/dirtbike track.
It is private, but there is a phone number displayed (628 522 615), so maybe it is possible to use it if you get in touch with its owner.
Although I didn´t have an internet signal at this point.
Back to the carpark
The route back (about 15 minutes) is super walking on roads and easy tracks.
The very last part of this Els Arcs route involves of the route (just a few minutes) involves walking along the side of the main road so take care.
Recommended gear for pickleball:
Portable Pickleball set
includes 4 fibreglass paddles, 4 balls and driveway official size net
Coming ON HOLIDAY to the Costa Blanca? make your HOLIDAY PLANNING easier
If you want to visit Els Arcs without completing the full hiking route, then there are some other parking spots that you could use to reduce the distance…
In order of proximity to Els Arcs…
10 minute-walk (easy)
This is just downhill from a house, but doesn´t seem to be owned by them. However, I have not seen any cars parked here
15 minute-walk (easy)
I have seen a campervan parked in this location that may have been wild camping
20 minute-walk (easy)
I have seen a van parked here, which may have been wild camping. However, it is very close to a house (and still quite far away) so I probably wouldn´t choose to park there.
30 minute-walk (easy)
Warning
However, this is only an option if you have an all-terrain/4×4 vehicle, because there is a big “kerb” to enter the gravel area.
I didn´t stop at this location in my car due to the high “kerb”, but I saw that there is a very clear path.
I also saw the path from Els Arcs and the route is steeper although very short.
5 minute-walk (moderate)
As well as visiting Els Arcs, there are many more hiking routes in the area. For example, here are two longer, and more difficult routes…
Penya el Castellet (PR-CV 149)
Sendero al Morro Blau (PR-CV 150)
Warning
This route is linear, so you will need to return, which would make it a very long walk.
Unless you like to sleep in the mountains like I do!
Visit the nearby Guadalest: A quaint Medieval town with castle, unique museums, and a fantastic view of the Guadalest reservoir.
Includes transport from:
Looking for a unique immersive dining experience? Dine with hosts in their own home.
For example…
Fine foods and wine in “El paseo Verde” (Altea)
…or buy a gift card here
Why not buy me a coffee
to keep me going on my adventures
so that I can share them with you!
Wild Child Costa Blanca
