Activities in or near the Jalon Valley. Self catering holiday villa on the Costa Blanca. Family activity holiday in the Jalon Valley

Activities in or near the Jalon Valley

We have listed a range of holiday activities that can be undertaken easily from Jalon, the list is rather long already and will get longer as time permits. You will find links and references to many activities and useful information sources here too, so do bookmark this page or our homepage (now!) in case you get lost while exploring!

The area offers a wide range of sports and activities that can be tried and inevitably some won’t be to your taste so we suggest you use the links below rather than read though everything.

Jalon Valley, Walking, Beaches, Golf, Horse Riding, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Tennis, Mountain Walking, Bird Watching, Fishing, Scuba Diving, Paragliding, Shopping, Weather centre, climbing, Photography, Painting, Water sports, Nature reserves, Sailing, Go-Carting, Tourist Office.

General – Or why you should holiday in the Jalon Valley!
Jalon Valley is west of the Costa Blanca resorts of Javea and Denia and roughly north of Altea and Calpe, just a little more than an hour north of Alicante. Although the major airport of Alicante is closest and serves holidays in the Costa Blanca as a whole, the airport at Valencia – Spain’s third largest city - is equally suitable and you can often pick up a cheaper flight to here. The whole area comes under the Comunitat Valenciana, click here for further information.

Holidays in the Jalon Valley are popular with walkers, cyclists, artists and nature lovers alike, so Casa Lee is ideally placed for those who want a different holiday. Mind you, whilst a holiday in the Jalon valley can be special and tranquil, you are never far from the beaches and popular tourist attractions, making a stay in the Jalon Valley a good family holiday.

The Jalon Valley – also called Vall de Pop - is set back from the string of tourist towns close to the beaches, but is yet within easy reach of many of the beaches and coastal towns from Altea northwards to Denia and beyond. The whole area is mildly mountainous and green and these days is called the Marina Alta. The unique position of Jalon in the midpoint of the Marina Alta peninsular gives you the chance to try them all without more than a short non-coastal drive every day.

Not that the coast road should be avoided, indeed the coast road from Calpe to Moraira is like a miniature Amalfi coast. The brilliant blue of the Mediterranean sea, the white of the sun-bleached cliffs and the deep greens of swathes of pine trees greet you at every turn whether you are driving, cycling or walking. Holidays in the Jalon Valley feature many such beautiful drives or cycle rides, though not all of them coastal. Many of the mountain passes feature fabulous views across to the sea on one side or other of the Marina Alta peninsular. Some have 360-degree panoramas that allow views of both coasts from Denia or Oliva in the north to Moraira and Calpe - also written as Calp - in the south.

If you don’t want beaches every day you have the private pool at the villa where you can relax with a glass of sangria or beer, or maybe wander down to the village for the food market, Rastro (flea market) or to one of the bodegas for a wine tasting or a top-up for your sangria kit.

The town (more like a large village) of Jalon is at the heart of the Jalon Valley. At the old square there is a fountain around which there is an open market held on Tuesday mornings. Also near the square is the famous Jalon Church with its blue dome. Roaming around the many small streets, you will find an abundance of shops, bars and restaurants of all nationalities – even a fish and chip shop! Jalon is very famous for its local wines. There are at bodegas (wine cellars) where you can sample the various types before buying. A river runs through Jalon and takes its name from the town. A ford and a bridge cross the river and either can be taken to get to the villa. Carrying your shoes and paddling across the ford to get to the Rastro market on a sunny Saturday morning is a delight and one likely to get the locals smiling! Mind you, in high summer the river is low enough top flow beneath the road surface of the ford anyway.

The weather is likely to be variable, but kind most days. The massive mountain of Montgo controls the weather for the area and ensures a verdant valley totally different from the almost desert-like lands south of Benidorm. The whole region enjoys a subtropical Mediterranean climate, with cool sea breezes in summer and protection by surrounding mountains against the cold North winds in winter. In fact the World Health Organisation said the climate of the area is one of the most equitable in the world - neither too hot in the summer nor too cold in the winter. On average, the area boasts 325 sunny days a year, so for out of season holidays and activities such as a walking holiday, a cycling holiday, a golf holiday or a horse riding holiday our villa is just right. In fact the availability of a range of holiday activities in or near the Jalon Valley makes our villa a really great family holiday stay.

Good walking starts almost from our front door, a stiff climb brings you to the top of the nearest mountain behind the villa where you can see for miles. In the downhill direction you can walk down though trees and past curious fincas to the bridge that takes you across the Jalon river into the town of Jalon itself. There you could hire a bicycle or catch a bus to Denia. Alternatively pop into the tourist office – yes, quaint Jalon does have one - and ask for a map and walk along the river bank to Alcalali. Stop for lunch there then take a stroll back to Jalon via the road or make your way through the farm lanes with orange groves on either side.

The river – hardly more than a stream in summer – runs through, or rather around, the neighbouring village of Lliber and on through beautiful, slightly more rugged landscape filled with olive and almond groves until it reaches Gata de Gorgos. Walking or cycling through this landscape in springtime is a delight of visual and olfactory senses. From Gata the river runs down to the sea at Javia – also written Xabia – at which point it is called Riu Gorgos. Actually the Jalon Valley is not just one valley.

The main body of the valley is in fact a confluence of several smaller valleys bounded by the mountains (serra or sierra) of Bèrnia, La Solana, Ferrer and Cel-letes. The heights of these mountains are not great from around 400m to 750m in the case of the national park mountain of Montgo. The land is verdant in the Jalon Valley, green pine trees cling to the lower slopes of the mountain sides that border the valley and the flat valley bottom is mostly given over to grape and raisin production while some of the slopes are utilised for orange and lemon groves and colourful orchards of cherry, almond, olive and fig trees. Herds of goats ramble through the olive orchards near the villa on an almost daily basis.

Holidays in Jalon Valley are a paradise for walkers with walks ranging from a very gentle stroll to a six hour walk around the Sierra Bernia mountains to the south of Jalon. There are splendid trails in the spectacular Barranco del Inferno gorge and outstanding open ridge walks in the unspoilt hills and limestone mountains of all of the Marina Alta. Nature lovers too will enjoy a region bursting with wild flowers and herbs, and will want to experience the unique flora and fauna of the Montgo National Park and the Pego marshlands.

Beaches and coves
The great curve of land that runs from Calpe to Denia - taking in Moraira and Javea and the Parc Natural Serra del Montgo - juts out far into the Mediterranean sea, and this means it is actually a shorter drive or cycle ride from Jalon (often written as Xaló) to any of the beaches than it is if you drove from say, Moraira to Javea. This means you can visit a different beach throughout the whole peninsular every day and yet still not travel very far from the comfort of the villa. In the summer when the coast road is busy with traffic this can be a real boon.

The number of beaches you can reach within half an hour is so great we could not mention all of them, however here is a flavour. Some are massive blue-flag beaches with miles of golden sand, beach guards and plush promenades, others are tiny coves frequented only by the locals on Sundays. Several are nudist beaches and all are part of an unforgettable Costa Blanca holiday. The unique position of Jalon gives you the chance to try them all.

Starting at Calpe, one of the easiest coastal resorts to reach from Jalon at only a 20min drive and plenty of parking, we find about 14 beaches and coves, but the main ones are:

Arenal-Bol (Calpe)
More than two kilometres of beach with fine golden sand and clear waters. The beach itself is dotted with small palms giving a special attraction to this urban beach, one of the most crowded in Calpe, but easily accessible from the town even for those with reduced mobility.

Click here for a live webcam image of this beach

Calpe nestles next to an enormous rock 332 metres high - the Peñón de Ifach nature reserve: a challenge for all rock climbing enthusiasts on one side and a pleasant ramble to the top on the other. The view from the top covers a great swathe of the Alicante coastline. Among the many reasons for visiting this authentic tourist village are walks along the promenade and trying the restaurants offering fresh fish and seafood dishes, plus all kinds of water sports and activities, or a visit to Calpe’s quaint old historic centre on the Costa Blanca.

La Fossa
To the north of Ifach is another 2km long beach. With fine golden sand, it has all kind of services and facilities and in summer nights it becomes an improvised cinema. It is backed by a well cared-for waterfront where restaurants, ice-cream stalls and all kind of shops can be found.

Cantal Roig (Peñón de Ifach)
Returning to the base of Peñón de Ifach you can find the harbour with its Yacht Club and superb fish restaurants and another smaller beach or cove called Cantal Roig. Near here you can discover the Roman archaeological remains of the Baños de la Reina (The Queen’s bath). It is thought this is actually a Roman salt fish meat factory.

Click here for a live webcam image of this beach

Les Bassetes
From Calpe travel north up the coast road and soon look out for a sign for Club Nautica. This is the beginning of a series of coves on the coast up to Moraira. A complete range of watersports can be found here.

Click here for a live webcam image of this beach

Fustera cove
Next we come to Fustera cove, It is the most popular, frequented and bustling creek in the area. With fine sand and clean waters offers all kind of services.

Baladrar
Just one of the many tiny coves that can be reached from this coast road. Keep your eyes open for ‘Playa’ and try them all if you care to!

Of course, you don’t have to reach all of them from Calpe. The road that runs east out of Benissa at the junction with the road from Senija heads over the top of the coastal range and gives magnificent views before reaching the coast road near Baladrar.

Platgetes, Moraira
Coming into the outskirts of Moraira we arrive at the semi-urban beach of Platgetes with fine sand, boulders and clean waters very suitable for bathing and diving. It is backed by a well cared-for waterfront with services. The remains of block cutting from ancient times can be found behind the beach.

Playa de L'Ampolla (Moraira)
Located in the south of the yacht marina and port of Moraira, this sheltered urban beach is easily reached from the town. It is somewhat sheltered by the spit and so is very safe for bathing and has fine sand. The small castle makes a dramatic backdrop. It is Blue flag, with lifeguard, toilet, car park and shops nearby and also has a children’s play area. Windsurfing and sailing are done here. There are many good restaurants and shops in the town and it is an easy drive home via Teulada and Benissa.

Click here for a live webcam image of this beach

El Portet beach
To the north of Moraira town lies Portet beach, a beautiful inlet with clear waters perfect for learning to windsurf and a popular spot to moor boats and take a quick dip in the shade of the spinnakers. This beach offers a sandy area with rocks both sides and clear waters for bathing.

El Moraig
From here the great rock outcrop of Cabo de la Nao makes finding beaches somewhat more tricky until we come to Javea. Nevertheless, the adventurous or just plain inquisitive traveller can reach the beach at Moraig with its sea caves via the modern housing complex behind Benitatxell. Just keep heading for ‘Playa’.

La Granadella, Javea
A beautiful creek below Cabo de la Nao that has sand, boulders and rocks and of an almost wild energy is also only accessible along a road - this time out of Javea’s Ambolo residential area. Its clean turquoise green waters make it one of the most attractive creeks in the area. There is a castle nearby too. There are many other small beaches to explore at this southern end of Javea, not all of them so tricky to reach as La Garnadella.

El Arenal Beach (Javea - Xàbia)
The main beach at Javea (often written as Xàbia), is a wide and sheltered inlet with fine sand and not very deep waters, very suitable for children. Its waters are very clean. Some parts of the beach can be accessed by people with reduced mobility. Javea town center is a short distance from the seafront, nestling under the imposing facade of Montgo. The harbour is located under a cliff at the end of the broad coastal plain, and offers a full range of modern tourist services, accommodation and clean, transparent waters.

Click here for a live webcam image of this beach

La Grava
Located on the southern side of Javea port. A bustling urban beach with gravel offering clear waters.

North from Javea the Montgo mountain precludes beaches until Denia, a busy port of considerable size (including a fishing area, yacht club and marina). The town and port separates the coastline into two beach areas, Marines and Rotes. In addition to a ferry service to Ibiza, the port has dinghy, sailing and diving class facilities, plus boat rental.

Les Bovetes beach, Denia
Over half a kilometre long. Quiet inlet looking north-west with clean waters and thick sand surrounded by a semi-urban environment of well cared residential areas.

Click here for a live webcam image of this beach

Les Marines beach, Denia
The most crowded and popular beaches stretch more than ten kilometres towards the north and include the area called Les Marines. They have full facilities including summer beach services to rent or learn to windsurf. These beaches are ideal for windsurf enthusiasts since the winds here (breezes in the morning and strong south-west winds in the afternoon) gives enthusiasts of all levels a chance.

Sailing
Sailing can be undertaken at several of the region’s ports. Sporting and nautical clubs provide ample opportunities to get started in sailing sports or even take part in the many competitions organised throughout the year. All it takes is a visit to one of the yacht clubs or marinas. Nearly all have a sailing school where you can start on your first sailing holiday or continue this exciting pastime. If you prefer cruisers, there are many clubs equipped for sea charters, and if you are a committed sailor there are regattas held almost every weekend up and down the coast. You can get the competition itinerary from the Sailing Federation (Federacion de Vela) A list of sailing clubs thought out Spain is available by clicking here.
The yacht club's sailing school at Calpe harbour has complete yacht maintenance and repair facilities and also a valet service to prepare yachts for their owners’ visits. The yacht club includes an active sailing school with regular children's regattas in Optimist dinghys. You can find Calpe harbour below the massive Peñón de Ifach nature reserve.

The marina at Moraira is the hub of sailing activities and has a sailing school open at Easter and throughout the summer. Moraira Yacht Club, Puerto de Moraira, Apdo. Correos 14, 03724 Moraira Tel : (0034) 96 574 4461

Javea also has a Yacht Club at Muelle Norte, Puerto de Javea, 03730 Tel : (0034) 96 579 1025

In addition to the range of nautical clubs and sporting harbours, most beaches have seasonal facilities providing windsurfing, catamarans, pedal boats and jet-ski hire. The best advice for your own safety is that you keep within the specially buoyed areas set aside for these sports.

Walking
The Jalon Valley is ideal for a walking holiday in Spain. Situated in the Marina Alta the area is well documented for walking and mountain walking with probably the best known being Bob Stansfield’s two volume work, Costa Blanca Mountain Walks (published by Cicerone). If you are walking here for the first time these will provide a good reference, but there are several good walking and climbing clubs and groups you can join up with, some with a published programme of walks, see links below.

Your walking holiday in Jalon starts right outside the villa where just a short walk (with a final scramble, if you fancy it) brings you to the top with panoramic views over the Mediterranean coast in two directions and even across to the Balearic Islands on a really clear day. We are situated close to many beauty spots such as Coll de Rates, just across the other side of the valley and which you can study with binoculars from our garden of lounge window. The coll is also reachable by car or bicycle and at the top you are rewarded by breath-taking views a plan of the mountain ranges and yes – a restaurant where you can enjoy a good lunch too.

Valley bottom walks can be made to all the nearby villages, Lliber, Alcalali, Parcent etc., and of course the several natural parks such as El Parque Natural de Montgó with its extension Cap de Sant Antoni and Peñón d´Ifach - a 332m high rock overlooking Calpe, can make a very pleasant two hour walk or a more energetic day if desired.

Other outstanding walks, some quite demanding are to be found all around the Marina Alta area, none very far away. Sierra de Bernia (1,129 metres), a sharpened limestone crest that runs perpendicular to the coast and with panoramic views over the coast near Altea and down to Calpe. To the south of the summit you can discover the remains of Fort de Bèrnia, construct by Felipe II to control possible rebellions of the Moors. A good ridge scramble to the Sierra del Ferrer (770 metres) starts from the Masserof area on the Jalon to Bernia road. Assent to the north ridge is steep, but short.

The Sierra del Montgo Natural Park (750 metres) is a must for every nature lover as wall as walkers. Easy trails can be followed from Denia or from the parking areas in the Denia to Javier road. It’s overall size offers a variety of hikes ranging from moderate to challenging. Steeped in history one can view the ancient water cave Cova de l’Aigua, the Roman Legion inscription from AD 238, the Roman road Cami de la Colonia, the huge Montgó eye (Montgo resembles an elephant from some directions) and it’s caves and some of the 600 forms of plant life that exist in El Parque Natural de Montgó.

The greatest mountain range in the area is the Sierra de Aitana with a summit of over 1,500 metres.

Walking club links:
www.walks-plus.com/
www.costablancamountainfriends.com/index.html
www.terraferma.net/ingles/consejos.html#trans

Weather
Jalon Valley's summers are hot but not too hot due to the cooling breezes. The winters in Jalon Valley are mild with many clear blue sunny days. This region of Spain is incredibly green and appealing and boasts a typical subtropical Mediterranean climate, with cool breezes in summer and protection by surrounding mountains against the cold North winds in winter. In 1986 the World Health Organisation recommended the climate of the area as one of the most equitable in the world - neither too hot in the summer nor too cold in the winter. On average it can boast 325 sunny days each year making it an ideal all year round destination.

Because Jalon Valley's humidity is low you won't feel the temperature is as high as it really is. Do take precautions and keep out of the sun between 12 o'clock and 3 o'clock. Always wear a high sun cream factor.

Even with all those sunny days, rainfall still occurs throughout the year but June July and August see very little rain with an average of just 5 mm per month. In the winter it still doesn't rain too much in Jalon Valley with November being the wettest month. The exception is when Jalon Valley experiences a 'Gota Fria' - this happens when the temperature suddenly drops resulting in incredible torrential rain and flooding.

JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
11°C	12°C	14°C	16°C	20°C	23°C	26°C	27°C	24°C	21°C	15°C	12°C
6h	7h	7h	9h	10h	11h	12h	11h	9h	7h	6h	6h

For a weather forcast click here

Tourist Office

There is a small tourist office in Jalon. You will find it easily on Paseo de la Alameda, under the trees in the car park next to the river opposite the Centre Comercial. You can email them or find other details etc at Tourist Info Offices

Golf Courses near us

Until recently, the Costa del Sol has been the recognised Spanish golf region but the excellent climate on the Costa Blanca means you can play golf under ideal conditions almost every day of the year and this area is now catching up fast. On the Costa Blanca as a whole there are 35 different golf courses and if you want to play golf in Spain on holiday near us (say between Oliva and Benidorm) there are 6 courses.

Oliva Nova
This 18-hole, par 72 course was designed by Severiano Ballesteros and is reckoned as one of the best on the Costa Blanca. Green fees are about euro 75. Hosts major events and championships. Pretty site with far reaching views and a holiday complex attached.

Club de Golf Oliva Nova, Urbanization Oliva Nova Golf, 46780 Oliva +34 962 857 818
http://olivanovagolf.com/

Denia
Another 18-hole course and one reckoned as ‘demanding’. Par 72, and set in Mediterranean woodlands, it has fantastic views of the countryside, with the mountains as a backdrop. Green fees about euro 50. A great place to get in your holiday golf practice!

Club de Golf La Sella Denia, Alquería de Ferrando s/n, 03749 Jesús Pobre-Dénia
+34 966 454 252

Javea (Xabia)
A smaller 9-hole course but with practice putting greens and a driving range restaurant, cafeteria and golf lessons. Head out from Javea on the CV740 towards Benitachell.

Club de Golf Jávea, Ctra. Xabia-Benitatxell, km. 45 03730 Xabia, Alicante. +34 965 792 584
http://www.clubdegolfjavea.com/

Moraia, Calpe, Benissa
Our closest golf course and one that is well respected having narrow fairways. Par 60. Only 9 holes but fabulous views over the coastline to the Penon de lfach. Green fees eruo 30.

Club de Golf Ifach, Urbanización San Jaime, Ctra. Moraira-Calpe, km 3, 03720 Benissa - Alicante
Tel. +34 966 497 114

Altea
A 9-hole par 38 course situated near the mountain area of the Sierra de Bernia surrounded by carob, pine and olive trees. The club offers hire of buggy, bags and clubs and has a school and small driving range. Locals from our road often get together to go to this course. Visitors are welcome.

Club de Golf Don Cayo, Urb. Sierra de Altea Golf, 03590 Altea la Vieja. +34 965 848 046

Benidorm
Two 18-hole courses located on the Terra Mittica park. The championship North course is par 72 while the south course is par 62. Both courses were designed by Jack Nicklaus. A bit further to go but worth the travel.

Real de Faula, Av. Eduardo Zaplana Hernández-Soro Partida del Moralet, 03500 Benidorm. +34 966 813 013

Horse riding near Jalon

Holiday horse riding can bring something different to your stay in Jalon and there are many places to try it out. Most stables will accommodate students and beginners so if horse riding was a childhood dream or hobby now’s the time to try it out! The two stables below are local, speak English and are both ready to tailor something to suit you.

Benissa Riding Club
This is our nearest horse riding centre and is just 5km away on our side of Benissa. It’s easy to get to from the ‘Calpe’ road out of Jalon but for the first time, go to the small petrol station on the N332 on the Calpe side of Benissa and head down street Juan de Juanes passing underneath the motorway in a little tunnel and then turn right. The club offers a variety of equestrian disciplines at different levels including initiation lessons, children’s classes and paddock circuits plus cross-country trekking.

Club Hipic Benissa, Placa Rel Jaume 1, 11, 03720 Benissa +34 965 730 302 or (club) +34 965 731 832

Ondara Riding School

Further away in Ondara, this school is worth a visit too. They provide training, a four-hour mountain trek (not easy!), cross country and paddock riding. You get to them by taking the N332 north to Ondara (either from Benissa or from Gata) and at the roundabout in Ondara take the CV731 left and immediately left again into CV726. Just before the motorway bridge turn left and follow signs for the Riding School.

Ondara Riding School, Pamis, Ondara. +34 628 484 047
http://www.ondararidingschool.com/

More activities to follow shortly - please bookmark this page and try again soon

Call 01752 691260 for more information or go to the 'contact us' page,