COSTA BLANCA MOUNTAIN WALKS SIERRA AITANA RANGE – BUDDHIST COLONY CIRCUIT FROM RINCON DE PEPE

Ref: 65

CIRCUIT: RINCON DE PEPE—CONTADOR—El CARRASCAL RIDGE—BUDDHIST COLONY- COLLADO DE SANXET—RINCON DE PEPE. ORIGINAL WRITE UP BY: Jean & Bob Hall [email protected] VERIFIED Feb. 2017 WALK SPECS: Distance = 10km. - Walking time = 3 ¼ hrs. - Ascent = 550mtrs. - Grade = MS (Walking time only – add time for breaks and lunch) LEGAL NOTICE: Although we strive to make descriptions as correct as possible, use at your own risk.

DESCRIPTION OF WALK. An exceilent circular walk, not too hard, or long or high, which encompasses views and aspects of both sides of the range. Passing through the narrow Paso Contador (much enlarged since the days when sheep could be counted singly as they passed). Spectacular views of the Sierras Bernia and Aixorta to the east and the Arc valley leading to Sella to the west. Soon followed by a stiff climb over the ridge of El Carrascal with a shady place at the summit from which to admire Puig Campana and Sanxet before descending into the wooded Sanxet valley with its Buddhist colony. Returning over the lip of Sanxet, (pause to take in the views), to pass below the "waterfall," (occasional), and the overwhelming cliffs of the "Habitaciones de Dios", followed by a gentle descent to the 3 Bars and Restaurants in the Rincon de Pepe area. 60% paths. 40% tracks. Not too muddy a day or so after rain. TO THE START. From La Nucia drive along the new road CV70 towards Benimantell to the restaurant & bar of Rincon de Pepe on the RHS near Km 35 which is about 2 km past the house on the left with a big snail on the roof'. Park in the ample car park. You can avoid (author does) walk up cement path at start by driving 400 mtrs up road, take first road off sharp L B , drive up to green water tank C and start walk here.

COSTA BLANCA MOUNTAIN WALKS BUDDHIST COLONY CIRCUIT FROM RINCON DE PEPE ORIGINAL WRITE UP BY: Jean & Bob Hall [email protected]

Ref:65 VERIFIED Feb.2017

WALK SPECS: Distance = 10km. - Walking time = 3 ¼ hrs. - Ascent = 550mtrs. - Grade = MS (Walking time only – add time for breaks and lunch) LEGAL NOTICE: Although we strive to make descriptions as correct as possible, use at your own risk. Total distance and % of walk completed based on total time

NOTE THAT TIMES QUOTED ARE WALKING TIME ONLY – NO BREAKS UNDERLINED LETTERS REPRESENT MAP REFERENCES From Rincon de Pepe A cross road and go up the short concrete road passing to the R of Restaurant Ponderosa on to a casa and end of cement. Find old track straight up. Follow up (ignore small cross track) zig zagging up (West) to a green cylindrical water tank C visible ahead. (6min .3km)

.3km 3%

Turn L (South) along surfaced road to a deposito/fuente on RHS D. (3min .2km)

.5km 5%

On the LHS of the Fuente find path going up to meet a track E .(This path is a little difficult to follow as it is sometimes very overgrown. When you reach a large bolder bear L by climbing over it. The path then becomes a little more distinct. Use your clippers) (7min .2km)

.7km 9%

Turn R up track (ignoring track off L) to reach casita with steel garage door F.

(3min .2km)

.9km 10%

Just before casita find track off L going up. Follow this track which after a while becomes a path and climbs steeply to meet a cross track G. (10min .5km)

1.4 km 16%

Turn L(South) up this main track to the Paso de Contador with its views down into the Sella Valley. H. (14min .8km)

2.2km 23%

Continue down this main track and just after the second sharp bend find on the L a very clear path marked by cairns K. ( 2017 There is a new little path in first bend to second bend) (6min .5km)

2.7km 26%

Follow this path passing a casita M on your RHS. Near here it drops to join a wider path. (7min .4km)

3.1km 32%

Turn L along this path and continue to where it joins a track N.

3.9km 35%

11min .8km)

Turn L up track passing casa with solar electric panels on R. Just before the track starts to descend find cairn on LHS with path going up P. (2min .2km)

4.1km 37%

ZigZag up this rather poor, rough and steep path to the ridge of El Carrescal R with its shady evergreen oaks and superb views of Puig Campana, Sanxet and the Buddhist Colony down in the valley. (18min .5km)

4.6 km 47%

We now head down (South) into the valley on a rather rough path to reach a new casita and large stone Casa on the main track U. (13min .5km) 5.1km 53% DETOUR to visit Buddhist Colony starts here by turning R (W) down the track to the shrine and straggly collection of buildings with the Stupa out of view, (often in retreat respect privacy). From the largest stone casa continue east along the track that runs past its front door, bears R around "helicopter pad" (2016 hardly visible) and then down L (at end of field). Follow this track, passing a ruined casita W. Continue on a path to the lip of Sanxet X. (stupendous views) (15min 1.1km)

6.2km 61%

The path now zigzags down and L to pass below "waterfall”cliff. (10min .4km)

6.6km 67%

Continue beneath the spectacular colourful cliffs of "The Rooms of God" and reach a path off R and cairn. This path leads to an alternate start of this walk from Almaseras. (24min 1.3km)

7.9km 80%

Ignore this path off R, continue straight on to meet a track Y. (21min 1.4km) From here on, when in doubt, follow black water pipe.

9.3km 91%

Turn R(East) and soon arrive at cross track Z.

9.4 km 92%

(2min .1km)

Turn L to Fuente. Continue on to green water tank and retrace steps down to Rincon de Pepe. (15min .6km)

10km 100%