Emily Eats Everywhere

📌 TL;DR

🪨 The Calpe Rock isn’t just a stunning view, it’s also a challenging and fun hike! 

💻 Make sure to register online here before the hike. 

🥾 The hike is 3.1 miles round-trip and takes 2-3 hours total. 

⚠️ Past the tunnel, this hike is challenging and requires a moderate fitness level.

Lodged in between two stunning Mediterranean beaches, the Calpe rock—more commonly known as Peñón de Ifach—towers into the clouds. With the seemingly endless ocean as a backdrop, this rocky mountain feature is iconic to the coastal city of Calpe. 

When I first found out you could hike to the top of the Calpe rock, my first thought was: “How?” And not in the lets-go-climb-a-mountain type of way, but rather, in the logical, is-that-really-possible? kind of way. 

After all, gazing up at Calpe rock from the beach, it looks pretty challenging to summit. But, after a little research, I was determined to hike it. So, last Saturday my husband Pedro and I decided we were going to hike all the way to the top. 

Let me tell you, it was well worth it! Calpe Rock is one of the best hikes I’ve done in Spain. 

Why You Should (Most Definitely) Hike the Calpe Rock

• Amazing coastal views! My favorite types of hikes are the ones near the ocean—and Calpe Rock checks all the boxes. It’s got incredible panoramic views of nearby beaches, the entire town of Calpe, and the Mediterranean sea. At some spots, you can literally look down and get a birds-eye view of the boats passing by (almost) underneath you.  
• Perfect length for the average hiker! This hike took us about 2.5 hours total (we started at 9:00am and finished around 11:30am). We’re in good shape, but we’re not expert hikers. Personally, 2.5 hours was just enough to wear me out by the end—while still being enjoyable the entire time. 
• Dangerously fun! If you’re a recovering adrenaline junkie like me, this hike has just the right amount of danger. With chain ropes to hold onto, jagged rocks, and a steep cliff down below, it’s definitely a hike you’ll remember. 

About the Hike 

This hike is about 3.1 miles (5 km) long, and takes 2 to 3 hours to climb up to the top and back down. The summit sits at 1,089 feet (332 meters) above sea level.

Calpe is located in between the coastal cities of Altea and Javea on Spain’s Costa Blanca. From Alicante, it’s about a 1-hour drive by car. From Valencia, it’s about a 1.5 hour drive by car.  

How to Hike the Calpe Rock 

Before you begin your hike, there are a few important things to know: 

Don’t Forget To Register Online (for FREE)  

The Valencian Community put a limit on how many people can hike the Peñón de Ifach each day. Right now, the limit is 300 people a day. So, to follow the rules (and more importantly) avoid fines, you have to register to hike. 

Luckily, it’s FREE, and easy. All you have to do to register online is follow these simple steps: 

1. Where it says “Ambito,” select “Parcs Naturals de la Comunitat Valenciana.”
2. Where it says “Subambito,” select “Parc Natural Del Penyal D’Ifac.”
3. Where it says “Servicio,” select “Ruta Roja.”

Add your personal information, in this order (from left to right): Select “Pasaporte,” Passport Number, First Name, Last Name. You only need to fill out the four boxes with a red asterisk. 

Complete the security check by clicking the right boxes, then on the next page, you’ll be asked how many people are going to do the hike. Put “1”—it’s the only response allowed. 

(Each person in your hiking party will need to complete the registration process.)

Choose the dates you plan on hiking. You’ll need to choose a date range that contains the date you’d like to hike. So, select the day before your planned hiking date, and the day after in the two boxes. 

If you plan to hike on Saturday, November 8th, you’d select the two dates like this image above. 

Then, on the next page, you’ll be able to choose the actual date of your hike. 

Choose the right date, then press: “Seleccionar cita” then “Confirmar cita” on the next page. 

You’ll then be able to print your confirmation registration (click where it says “Imprimir”) and save it as a PDF to bring on your phone with you the day of the hike—just in case. 

Check out this guide to registering for the hike if you have any questions, or register now using the button below!

The Best Parking Spots Close to Peñón de Ifach

It can be hard to find parking in Calpe, especially during the tourist season. We did this hike one Saturday in early November and there were still a good amount of people both on the trail and at the beach. 

We got to Calpe before 9am and parked right in front of Restaurante Puerto Ifach. It was super close to the beginning of the hike and it worked out great for us. Here are a few other spots you can park: 

• Free Street Parking Avenida del Port—Beachside street parking fills up fast; if you come early, you might be able to find a spot. From here, it’s about a 10 minute walk to the trailhead.
• Free Parking Calle Castellon de la Plana—Free parking; about a 10 minute walk to the trailhead. 
• Parking Gratis Calpe Subida Peñón—Free parking (in a large dirt lot); about a 20 minute walk to the trailhead. 

Start at the Peñón de Ifach Visitor’s Center 

I was so excited to do this hike I jumped out of the car and just started walking (my husband loves it when I do this). We walked on a beautiful oceanside path that took us all around Calpe Rock—the base of Calpe rock. 

No trailhead to be found. It was a beautiful little walk, and I highly recommend it if you’re staying in Calpe. But, it won’t take you to the summit. 

To get to the right spot, make sure you walk up Calle Isla de Formentera, which turns into Carrera del Peñon. This road takes you straight to the Peñón de Ifach Visitor’s Center, where you’ll find public bathrooms, water fountains, and signs that show you the beginning of the trail. 

Use this link here on Google Maps if you need help finding the trailhead. 

Difficulty Level: Medium

The first mile of this hike is straightforward and easy. It’s a nice, cobblestone-esque path with wooden handrails that takes you up through the shady tree-covered area to the rock tunnel. 

You’ll wander through a short, dark, rock tunnel to make it to the second, more challenging, half of the hike. This is where it gets a little tricky. From here, the rest of the hike is climbing over slippery, pointy rocks on a narrow dirt path. 

At some points, you’ll find chains and ropes attached to the rock so you can hold on as you climb over rocks and continue summiting the mountain. 

The final part of the hike is a very uphill climb over Calpe’s large limestone rocks to get to the highest point of Peñón de Ifach. Here at the top, you’ll get a fantastic view of Spain’s Costa Blanca and the beautiful Mediterranean sea. 

Emily’s Suggestions for Hiking the Calpe Rock 

• Wear hiking shoes. I did this in tennis shoes, which I regret. The rocks are very slippery, especially in the morning when the sun is behind the rock. (Yes, I slipped and fell). 
• Start early. We started at 9am and were down by the beach again before noon. We only saw maybe a dozen people on the way up, but as we were coming down, we saw a LOT more hikers who were just starting. 
• Be careful, the rocks are slippery. Even if you have proper hiking shoes, it’s important to tread cautiously. The rocks are slippery and not comfy to land on. Always stay on the trail and don’t be stupid (in case of emergency, dial 112, Europe’s version of 911, for help). 
• Wear sunscreen. After you pass through the tunnel, there isn’t much shade, so make sure you’ve put sunscreen on—especially in the hot summer months. 

This was one of the most enjoyable and beautiful hikes we’ve done near Alicante, Spain. If you’re visiting the Costa Blanca or plan on traveling to Alicante or Valencia soon, make sure you set apart a day to visit the beachside city of Calpe and climb to the top of Calpe rock.  

Other Fun Things to do in Calpe, Spain 

• Hang out at the beach! Calpe has some stunning beaches. With the Peñón de Ifach in the background, a swim in the ocean just hits different. We enjoy Platja de la Fossa and Playa Calpe (more popular, but has the best view of the rock!). 
• Snorkel at Cala El Raco! This beach has ultra-clear water and a pebbly backdrop. See how many fish you can find (and maybe even jellyfish!) 
• Take a Catamaran tour! Chill out on a boat and see the Peñón de Ifach from the sea! This tour includes an onboard DJ and a swimming stop, too. 
• Visit the Guadalest Castle and Algar Waterfalls! Not too far from Calpe, there’s a stunning castle in the clouds with an amazing view of a turquoise lagoon below. This tour takes you to see the castle, nearby waterfalls, and the city of Altea. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is this hike suitable for kids? 

I would not bring kids under the age of 10 on this hike. People of all ages and fitness levels can walk the first part of the hike (up to the tunnel). However, past the tunnel the hike becomes very challenging and is not suitable for inexperienced hikers or children.  

How long is the hike to Calpe Rock? 

This hike is about 3.1 miles (5 km) long. It takes from 2 to 3 hours to climb up to the top and back down.

Where can I find the best view of Calpe rock? 

If you have a car, try stopping at Mirador de Toix. After a quick climb to the lookout, you’ll get a great view of the coast and Calpe rock. If you don’t have a car, don’t worry! The views from Calpe beach (Playa Calpe) are breathtaking as well.