The best hiking routes in the Sierra de Bernia

If you haven't noticed already, at Villas Guzmán we are outdoor activity lovers, and one of our favorites is hiking along the Costa Blanca. There are many breathtaking landscapes that offer spectacular walks, and today we want to tell you about one of them, el Forat, and recommend the best hiking routes in the Bernia Sierra to explore it. Are you coming?

Top hiking routes in the Bernia Sierra

First, let’s get our bearings. The Bernia Sierra is a mountain range belonging to the Pre-Betica Cordillera, in the province of Alicante, within the Protected Landscape of the Sierras of Bèrnia and Ferrer. Covering an area of 1,900 hectares, it spans several municipalities, specifically: Callosa de Ensarriá, Tárbena, Alcalalí, Jalón, Benisa, Calpe, and Altea.

The highest point reaches 1128 meters, and the Bernia Sierra offers a great variety of flora, fauna, and landscapes worth visiting, with the natural tunnel of El Forat being the most famous. Now, let’s see how to get there.

1. El Forat on a circular route of the Bernia Sierra

This is certainly the route no hiker should miss when visiting the area. The most iconic spot of the Bernia Sierra is el Forat, a natural tunnel that offers impressive views.

To enjoy it, you can follow the PR-CV 7 trail starting at the entrance in Cases de Bèrnia on the northern slope.

• La Font de Bèrnia via the trail PR-CV 436.
• El Forat, a small opening that requires you to crouch until it widens, at all times you can see the exit, no risk of getting lost.
• Linear detour of 200 meters to see Penya l’Ermita del Vicari with rock art.
• The next stop is Fort de Bèrnia, a 16th-century defensive structure built by Philip II to defend against the Ottomans. Sadly, it was demolished in the 17th century by Philip III.
• From the fort, enjoy the views of Bolulla and the Ferrer Sierra and start descending.

The trail is easy for hikers accustomed to walking, requiring hiking boots and, if desired, poles to assist on the gravelly sections. In some parts, you’ll need to use your hands to climb, although it’s brief and not difficult. The elevation gains are not steep, and when some sections are more demanding, the distance is just 200-300 meters, making it not very complicated. We could say that the difficulty is low-medium depending on the segment.

2. El Forat on a one-way route of 7 km

If you don’t want to do the circular route, you can start the ascent from different points, as there are several hiking routes in the Bernia Sierra starting from various locations to reach El Forat.

In this route, with 7 km of linear distance, you can start from the same point as in the circular route, from Font de la Barca to the PR-CV 7 trail, leading up to El Forat de Bernia.

You will enjoy the same path as previously described, but only until El Forat, and then you’ll need to return the same way you came, totaling about 7 km and 2:30 to 3 hours, depending on your pace. You won’t see the paintings or ruins.

3. El Forat on a 5 km round trip route

If you want the shortest and simplest hike in the Bernia Sierra, ideal for those not used to hiking, you can opt to climb from Casas de Bernia. It takes approximately 2 hours to complete a straightforward 5 km route that only has some rocky sections.

You can also do the route from Altea, but if you ascend from that side and do not pass through El Forat, you miss out on crossing it and being surprised by the breathtaking panoramic views when exiting the tunnel.

As you can see, there are three options to enjoy the best hiking routes in the Bernia Sierra, highlighting the ascent to El Forat. However, if you want to enjoy everything in one go, it’s better to do the first option, the circular route. Plus, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can complete it by reaching the mountain’s highest point.

In any case, aside from crossing gravelly sections or some steeper areas, these routes are quite easy. You might even encounter some children enjoying their hike — they’re brave! If you want to come and enjoy these routes with family, partner, or friends, remember that you have different vacation rental options in Costa Blanca with villasguzman.com — you’ll have an unforgettable experience!