Sierra De Aitana Trek: Spain Walking Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

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Average Review Rating: from 40 reviews.

Diana Maynard

SIERRA DE AITANA TREK

Written March 2012
Fabulous week of walking in the Spanish mountains - a few tough hills but nothing too difficult. Great for clearing the head, getting away from it all and a good dose of winter sunshine into the bargain. What a beautiful part of Spain too, that I never knew about.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I wouldn't classify this trip as particularly inspirational, but it was wonderful nevertheless, and the views every day were stunning.
What did you think of your group leader?
I'd rate Jose Miguel right up there with the best leaders I've met. Sociable, outgoing, well organised, and very caring, he maintained a very good balance between efficient leader and friend - something that can be very difficult to get right. I never saw him once get flustered or frustrated, no matter what kind of problem we threw at him! He would often produce little surprises from his Tardis of a rucksack, such as a thermos of tea or a bar of chocolate, just when we most needed them, and his sandwiches were the best I've ever had on an Exodus trip. As I've come to expect from Exodus guides, he was also passionate about his job, the local area and the environment.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The weather can be quite changeable, so do go for a few thin layers and some kind of windproof top. Take walking poles, even if you've never used them before, unless you are a true mountain goat. On the slippery descents, if nothing else, they can really save you coming a cropper. This trip would actually be a good place to try them out for the first time. Also do make sure you have a decent level of fitness, it's a pretty tough week with some long days of walking. Also many people had blisters at some point so come well prepared - well-worn in decent boots, plenty of tape, blister plasters and make sure to protect your feet sooner rather than later. Applying Vaseline to your feet every day before putting your socks on really helps too.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
On the free day you can borrow mountain bikes from the hotel - definitely recommended if you have any energy left (though not for the faint-hearted as those hills are pretty steep both up and down!). They have some helmets but given the state of the trails you'd be well advised to bring a good pair of cycling shorts and gloves if you plan to go mountain biking. Also, while the trip notes say you can go sea kayaking, this may not be available. Jonathan and Violetta, who run the last hotel, are absolute stars and very friendly - it's more like staying as guests of the family. They gave me free rein in the kitchen on the rest day to make a pack lunch out of anything they had, since I was going mountain biking.
Unless you go to the coast on the free day, you'll spend almost nothing on this trip, as there are very few shops, and you get some wine with the meals. I think I spent around £50 in total for the whole week, and that was basically on the two meals that weren't covered, and the guide's tip.
If you're reasonably fit and not afraid of steep hills or of being in fairly isolated surroundings, don't even think twice about this trip!
Deirdre O'Connor

SIERRA DE AITANA TREK

Written February 2012
Great holiday. Came home completely relaxed and feeling fit. Good solid challenging (for me) walks meant every day felt like an achievement. And the food was fantastic.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Looking down on the tower blocks of Benidorm from the peace and quiet of the mountains. A quick February swim in Vila de Joiosa on the free day. Finding a Nutella sandwich in the lunch bag on a long day. The specatcular views on every walk. A cold beer at the end of a long day.
What did you think of your group leader?
Jose was an excellent leader. He is so enthusiastic about sharing his beloved Sella and the local area. However, make sure all your gear is matching!! He takes looking good on the mountain very seriously. However, he also takes looking after the group seriously as well, and he was really good company for the week.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
We were there in February and during a cold spell. We needed all our warm clothes on the mountain and in some of the accommodation. Bring walking poles, some of the ascents/ descents are quite steep and on rough tracks. Be prepared for fairly long (but really rewarding) days. Try all the food- it is fantastic.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is a great break away from it all, with direct flights from Dublin (very important). I would highly recommend this holiday.
Timothy Perkins

SIERRA DE AITANA TREK

Written November 2011
An excellent holiday with some great walks in the Sierra de Aitana. All the accomodation was very comfortable and food was also excellent. The guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Some fantastic ridge top walks wit incredible views across to the Mediterranean
What did you think of your group leader?
The guide was local to area and very knowledgeable about the environment we were walking in. He was celarly enthusiastic and passionate about the area.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The walking days are fairly long (7- 8 hours) so make sure you are fit enough.
Anna Paszkiewicz

SIERRA DE AITANA TREK

Written November 2011
Brilliant holiday if you want to clear your head and get away from it all. Stunning views, amazing local food and practically no extra expenses (apart from lunch and dinner on a free day). I was really surprised that such a dramatic, unspoilt place still existed in a 2-hours flight distance from London.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I was constantly being surprised by inspirational moments on this trip, it's impossible to choose one. The mountain range is so majestic that it simply encourages you to have a think about bigger things in life.
What did you think of your group leader?
Jose Miguel is clearly very enthusiastic and well-educated about the area. He was very outgoing and caring for the group and was definitely going an extra mile to ensure everybody felt comfortable and safe on the walks.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take at least one walking pole. I did the most of the trip without the poles, but I had to borrow one for a couple of descents.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I had a brilliant time and absolutely fell in love with the area. If you look for a holiday that makes you not wanting it to end SIERRA DE AITANA TREK will do the trick.
Ann Sinnett

SIERRA DE AITANA TREK

Written October 2011
Having previously done our own treks, this was our first trial of a group holiday. It surpassed our expectations! Superb treks, great group dynamics, lots of laughs and fun, super hotels and wonderful food, and our guide Jose was absolutely brilliant - a real star!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
All of it really - two things in particular: reaching the summits each day to have lunch with stunning views and a real sense of achievement; and our guide Jose. Jose was ceaselessly motivational, passionate about the area, extremely knowledgeable, fun, sensitive to the group's needs, always aiming to surprise us with hidden treasures and delights of a view whilst being constantly concerned about our wellbeing.
What did you think of your group leader?
As above - Jose was a real star. He was ceaselessly motivational, passionate about the area, extremely knowledgeable, fun, sensitive to the group's needs, always aiming to surprise us with hidden treasures and delights of a view whilst being constantly concerned about our wellbeing. A top guy!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Lots of people advised taking trekking poles. Jose was happy to lend his out when needed, so that helped on the descents when I needed them but meant I didn't need to carry them most of the time when not needed. Jose had brought several pairs, so you could get by without taking your own, but if you rely on them do take some.
Make sure you take plenty of water bottles - we refilled at several springs but a few had dried up!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Highly recommended - catered well for everyone, whether solo or couples or more! Go for it!!
Zoe Thirlaway

SIERRA DE AITANA TREK

Written October 2011
This was a challenging B Grade trek, which ensured a great feeling of achievement each day. The accommodation was lovely and the food was amazing!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The views on this trek were fantastic. A world away from Alicante and Benidorm, which you could see from the peaks. For me I got the biggest buzz from reaching the top of Puig Campana, but simple pleasures like the first beer of the day always brought a smile to my face and the incredibly welcoming hosts made the trip very enjoyable.
What did you think of your group leader?
Jose was a wonderful and amusing group leader. It was good to have someone who knew the area so well. He could answer any of our questions, as well as sharing the history and modern farming techniques of the area. He also made the best sandwiches I have ever tasted!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't underestimate the temperature of this trip! It was the heat that really made it challenging.
Deborah Morgenstern

SIERRA DE AITANA TREK

Written April 2011
Not a single hour went past without a "wow" moment. Stunning landscapes, great accommodation, lovely people. However, I would rate this more as a C grade - the walks were long and steep.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The entire trip was pretty awesome, The views are so varied, it is impossible to get bored with the scenery. It seemed that at least a couple of times a day, we turned a corner and all said "Wow! I didn't expect to see that!". The places we stayed were friendly and clean. The best has to be the last - a homestay with the lovely warm Violetta and her beautiful family in their rambling but awesome family farm home. You could stay a week in that place and still have cool things to discover.
What did you think of your group leader?
Jose was witty, knowledgeable, and a real people person. He was passionate about his local area (where we were walking) and even invited us all round to the little cottage and smallholding he was working do hard to build and grow.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Trekking poles are strongly recommended - there are many steep and rocky climbs and descents and your feet and knees do get a bit of a bashing! I would rate this more as a C grade trip. Long days and steep climbs / descents made for very hard work, albeit in stunning scenery.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is such a beautiful and undiscovered place. We saw almost no other walkers during our entire week. Strongly recommended.