| Sierra Bernia Mountain/Rock |
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| Sierra Bernia   | 
| Page Type: Mountain/Rock Location: Costa Blanca, Spain, Europe Lat/Lon: 38.53957°N / 0.19775°W Elevation: 3704 ft / 1129 m | Page By: Tim Vossenberg Created/Edited: Mar 7, 2004 / Oct 23, 2006 Object ID: 152394 Hits: 5696 Loading... Page Score: 87.44% - 11 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
OverviewThe Bernia Ridge rises from the sea from the Moro de Toix between the resorts of Altea and Calpe. The first part of this ridge is known as the Toix ridge but may be marked on the map as "MAR Y VILLA". The ridge then descends to become the Mascarat Gorge through which the main road, the motorway and the railway all pass. The ridge then rises as a great cliff eventually easing to the first summit at the eastern end. From here the ridge continues seen as a very jagged skyline from both the north and south sides for aproximately four kilometers. The highest point lies well to the western end at 1129 metres. It is not possible to walk continuously along this ridge though sections of it are walkable, but do involve a certain amount of scrambling. Apart from the actual ridge there are popular walks both round it and through it. It can be approached from either the Altea (south) side or, more commonly, from the north side which is the natural starting point at the Bernia restaurant at a height of approximately 650 metres.
The complete ridge is not a walk but a serious and exposed scramble. Even so it is not possible to remain on the crest and a rope is essential at the point where 'FIN' is painted on the rock in order to abseil. Although the ridge viewed from below seems to be continuous and reasonably level for much of its length it is, in fact, a series of towers, pinnacles and broad buttresses. From time to time it is necessary to track back to find ways down and round vertical drops and other obstacles to progress. Getting up on to the ridge is often much easier than finding a way off it. Exploration and finding the best way can be very time consuming. The waymarked scramble route along the ridge may take anything from 3 to 5 hours. A number of misleading goat tracks exist in many places along the ridge.
As well the West, as the East summit can be climbed.
RoutesThe routes involve some typically rough limestone terrain with scree, rocky obstacles and eroded pavement. Only those routes which actually proceed along the ridge involve real scrambling with occasional exposure. The slopes on the north side while containing sections of scree are, in the main, covered in lush vegetation while on the south side the hillside is composed of dry arid scree with occasional ribs and slabs of easy angled rock. It is much easier to miss the way on the south side. Most routes are waymarked but on the south side the waymarks may not lead the way you wish to go.
The routes starting from the Bernia Restaurant. How to get there?
Approach from the south on the national route N-332 links Alicante to Valencia.
Pass Calpe and drive to Benissa look out for left turn to Jalon before entering Benissa. Right again and almost immediately take minor road on the left to Pinos. Ignore new (unsigned?) road up to right. Road climbs up in westerly direction to a junction at the top. Follow left new road to restaurant and park.
- Approaching from the north of Benissa drive through Benissa and follow directions as above.
The West Summit of the Bernia approached from Normal South route. See the discription in the routesection!
The West Summit of the Bernia Ridge approached from the East:
The ridge is joined at or near the col which is the lowest point along the ridge. It is situated more or less centrally. From the car park walk to the junction and turn left and follow the lane. Well before the fuente is reached the lane bends round to the south to contour round a dry river bed and as it passes the point where the river bed would be, a waymarked track rises up past the trees steeply. Follow this, steeply at first then more gently then steeply again as it approaches the rocks of the crest or the col. Two ways are vaguely marked - one up to the col and the other following grassy rakes to the right of the col. The col route is prehaps easier to find. A detailed description of the route to the right of the col will be found in the Stansfield guide book but it is not easy to follow. Once on the crest scramble along following the red waymarks carefully until the summit cross is reached. To descend continue west looking for cairns and red markers which indicate the point where the track descends to the east along a broad shelf and so down to the fort and the col between the main mountain and Pena Severino. Turn north and follow the path along the path crossing the flanks of the Bernia to join the lane which leads back to the Restaurant.
The Sierra Bernia Route discriptions
Bernia East Summit from Pinos
Sierra Bernia Eastern Summit
Bernia West Summit Normal route
Bernia West Summit via West Ridge
When to climbYou can climb the Sierra Bernia any time you like, but the best season is the spring and fall. Take attention when you do this one during the summer. It can be very hot. Start at least at 06.30 am and bring yourself lots of water!
In Fall and winter the weather on the Northside can change in a minut and transform the area in a cloudy and misty scenary. Bring GPS or compas and warm clothes!
Red TapeThere are no permits required. Take care of the wildlife and enjoy the smell of thyme and rosemary
Where to stayThere are a lot of places where you can stay at the Costa Blanca. When you love the crowed, stay in Benidorm. I prefer rest so I always go to Altea.
From here you can do a lot of climbing. There are a lot of mountains surrounding you (Sierra Helada, Montgo, Penon de Ifach, Sierra Aitana)
Need a place to stay? Visit the local service shops (Multi Service, right in front of the harbour), or if you have a big wallet, visit Villa Benvenuto
(excelent view on the Sierra Helada!).
There is also good rental accommodation in Abdet which has good access to the many areas of the Costa Blanca mountains - see www.abdet.com
Maps and drawingsThe walking route PR-V7 (Pequeno Recorrido-Valencia) of the Sierra Bernia offers lovely hikes and walks.
Cartografia Militar de Espana: 1:50 000 BENISSA.
Getting thereThe El Altlet International Airport, just 10km (6 mi) from Alicante's city centre, has flights from major European cities such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Dusseldorf and Rome as well as domestic destinations like Madrid, Barcelona and Ibiza.
Trains run from Barcelona, Valencia City and Madrid to Alicante's main Renfe Estación de Madrid, while the Estacion de la Marina connects to smaller cities along the coast, including Denia, Benidorm and Altea.
You can get to Altea or Benidorm by car, on the A-7 motorway from the French border, and the national route N-332 links Alicante to Barcelona and Valencia City. Passenger ships also run to Ibiza and Algiers.
Related Costa Blanca MountainsMontgo
Sierra Helada
Peñon de Ifach
Puig Campaña
External Links Images
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