Hiking the Montgó: which route is right for you

Which route to the summit suits you?

There are three official routes to the summit of the Montgó, all three officially rated at the highest difficulty grade: the grey route from the Campo de Tiro is the shortest at 3.8 kilometres one way and, at roughly two hours uphill, also the fastest; the orange route from the Camí de la Colònia sits in between at 6.1 kilometres and just over three hours; and the light green route from Jesús Pobre is the longest at 6.3 kilometres and three hours forty five minutes. None of the three is easy, and the way down is the same as the way up.

The route most visitors call "the route from Jávea" starts at the Campo de Tiro, an old shooting range. That starting point, however, officially lies on Dénia's territory, on the CV-736, the road that connects Jávea with Dénia. From here you climb in roughly two hours from 210 to 751 metres, over a path that in the final kilometre turns into a rocky ridge where you need your hands to scramble.

The orange route starts at the Ermita del Pare Pere, on the Camí de la Colònia, and climbs from 110 to 751 metres. At the first fork, head towards the Racó del Bou, not towards the Cova de l'Aigua, which lies on a different path. The final stretch before the summit is steep with loose rock underfoot, so expect careful climbing rather than brisk walking.

The light green route from Jesús Pobre is the longest in time, climbing from 126 to 751 metres in just over three hours forty five minutes, passing Iberian wall remains along the way. It is not harder than the other two, simply longer. All three routes are linear: you walk up and back down the same way, so allow for half a day to a full day, including the drive to and from the starting point.

How tough is the climb really?

The climb up the Montgó is a serious one on every route: you gain over 500 metres in elevation, and on the longer routes over 600 metres, the final stretch before the summit crosses rocky terrain where you need your hands, and there is nowhere to get drinking water along the way. The summit is not a good idea for anyone with a fear of heights, travelling with small children, or hoping to climb in the heat.

On the grey route, the shortest, you climb roughly 550 metres in around two hours, with a genuine scramble in the final kilometre: no climbing ropes or chains, but a rocky ridge you pick your way across with hands and feet. On the other two routes the elevation gain is even bigger, over 600 metres, and steep, loose rock also awaits near the top.

There are no springs or water points along any of the three summit routes, so bring everything you need yourself. For hikers with a fear of heights the scramble is a real obstacle, for small children the trek is simply too long and too steep, and in the heat the full sun on the bare slopes is a serious risk. Anyone in doubt is better off with one of the walks without a summit further in this article.

When is the best time to go?

The park itself names spring as the most suitable season for hiking, but October and November are also a good choice: cool and far quieter than summer. The official fire risk season runs from 1 June to 15 October, during which the park can close routes at extreme risk. In summer you can really only go very early in the morning, and thunderstorms are always to be avoided.

The temperature difference from summer is large: at the nearest official weather station, afternoons in October average around 25 degrees and in November around 20 degrees, against over 30 degrees in July and August. That makes late summer and autumn far more pleasant for a climb to the summit than high season, including for winter visitors who are already settling in by then.

Outside the fire risk season the park is open all year; there is no winter closure. At extreme fire risk, however, the park does close routes, as happened in a recent hot summer. Before you set out, always check whether the route is open: via 112cv.gva.es for current wildfire reports and closures, and via the Montgó natural park's own website for the latest situation.

What should you bring, and what are the rules?

Bring plenty of water, since there is no spring anywhere along the way, wear sturdy walking boots because of the rocky terrain, and protect yourself with a hat and sunscreen against the full sun on the bare slopes. Also remember the emergency number 112 in case of trouble. Beyond that, the natural park has a number of fixed rules.

Dogs are allowed, but always on a leash. Lighting fires and smoking are not permitted anywhere in the park, and camping is only allowed in designated zones. Stay on the path and do not cut across switchbacks, do not pick plants, and carry your rubbish out to the nearest bin. These are not excessive rules: they protect a fragile nature reserve with over 650 plant species.

In uncertain weather, the park's own advice applies too: avoid the summit whenever a storm threatens. On a bare rocky summit you are then completely exposed, with no shelter to be found.

Where do you park, and how do you reach the starting point?

At every starting point for the Montgó, a car is more or less essential: all three summit routes begin outside the centre of Jávea, Dénia or Jesús Pobre, at the end of a road you travel by car. We could not find a bus stop at any of the starting points, so count on your own transport.

At the Campo de Tiro there is a free, unpaved car park off an unpaved road from the CV-736, on Dénia's territory. At the Ermita del Pare Pere, the starting point of the orange route on the Camí de la Colònia, you are likewise on the Dénia side; the path itself dates from around 1922 and runs through the area of the old agricultural colony laid out there in 1921. From Jesús Pobre you set off along the Camí Mitjans.

Anyone who would rather start at the Cap de Sant Antoni lighthouse, for the walk to El Molins for instance, can park at the recreation area about 700 metres before the lighthouse; there is also parking space around 300 metres before the lighthouse, after which you walk the final stretch.

Prefer not to reach the summit: which walk still gives you that Montgó feeling?

Anyone who wants the view and atmosphere of the Montgó without the tough climb has plenty of gentler routes to choose from: a loop past the old windmills of El Molins, a flat walk to the Cova del Gamell, a short walk to the water spring at the Cova de l'Aigua, or a longer loop combining both. The short coastal route to Cap de Sant Antoni also belongs on that list.

Route 8, the dark green loop, sets off from the recreation area at the lighthouse and runs for 1.5 hours over 4.4 kilometres, at an easy difficulty grade, past El Molins and the shrine of Mare de Déu dels Àngels. The last of the windmills stayed in operation until 1911. Route 4, the blue route, runs from the Camí de la Colònia for 5.6 kilometres one way to the Cova del Gamell, virtually flat and, at 1.5 hours, one of the lightest Montgó routes: suitable for the whole family. The name refers to old drinking troughs for livestock, the gamelles.

A short trip to the Cova de l'Aigua itself, from the Ermita del Pare Pere, takes thirty to forty five minutes one way. The cave is a natural water spring with a Roman inscription from 238 AD, placed there by a Roman army unit. Anyone who wants more than just that cave, without taking the summit, can walk the yellow loop: 5.5 kilometres via the Cova de l'Aigua and the Racó del Bou, three and a half hours, at a medium difficulty grade.

For a short, easy walk with a view there is finally the red route from Jávea's harbour to Cap de Sant Antoni: 1.7 kilometres, three quarters of an hour, with the miradors along the coast as a natural next step for anyone who wants to see more after arriving.

Can you combine the walk with a beach or the village?

The red coastal route and the long PR-CV 355 both start at Jávea's marina, right next to La Grava beach, which makes a morning walk and an afternoon by the sea easy to combine. Anyone climbing to the summit from the Campo de Tiro has that same harbour as a logical next stop afterwards.

The PR-CV 355 is the longest and toughest option: 14.7 kilometres and roughly five hours fifteen minutes, with 1,070 metres of ascent, running from the harbour via Cap de Sant Antoni, the recreation area of La Plana, the Cova Tallada and the Torre del Gerro all the way to the summit. Because the route ends linearly at the summit, allow a full day and arrange transport back to the starting point beforehand.

For anyone who would rather not set aside a whole day, combining La Grava with one of the shorter walks above is more practical: a morning uphill, an afternoon by the water.

Can you climb the Montgó with a guide too?

Anyone who would rather not navigate independently, or who wants more explanation along the way, can find guided climbs via GetYourGuide at sunrise, during the day or at sunset, in small groups.

For background and maps beforehand there is the Centro de Interpretación of the natural park: open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 2pm, on other days by appointment only, and closed on Sunday. A good starting point for choosing your route and checking the current situation before you set out.

Frequently asked questions about hiking the Montgó

Can you take your dog up the Montgó? Yes, that is allowed, but always on a leash. This applies on every route in the natural park, not only on the summit routes.

Can you visit the Montgó with children? On the blue route to the Cova del Gamell and the dark green loop past El Molins, yes, since both are flat and family friendly. The summit itself, with its scramble and serious elevation gain, is not suitable for small children.

Can you see Ibiza from the summit? On clear days you can see the Balearic Islands from the summit, with Ibiza the closest island. It is not a guaranteed view: that depends entirely on visibility on the day.

Is the park closed in winter? No. There is no winter closure of the hiking routes; only at extreme fire risk in summer can the park close routes.

How long does the climb to the summit take from the Campo de Tiro? Going up takes roughly two hours. For the whole trip, there and back on the same route, allow three to four hours.