If you’ve explored Tarbena and the castle ruins nearby, then you’ll already have a good feel for the traditional village. This 14.5km circular route will provide a lasting impression as you meander through varied mountain landscapes, fertile valleys, natural springs and to spectacular viewpoints.

Download the route on OS Maps.

Download the route on Komoot.

Where is Tarbena?

Within the province of Alicante, and less than 1 hr from the coast, lies Tarbena. It’s a small town with a population of 700 but is a place with an authentic Spanish feel. Its winding streets, rich history and friendly locals make this a great place for a short stopver as you start your adventure in the mountains of Costa Blanca.

Circular walking route north of Tarbena

The route starts by heading north out of the village, before joining a well maintained track that quickly gains height, with a beautiful gorge to the left.

There is a short detour, on an out and back path, you can take here to reach a viewpoint of the gorge. It’s well worth the extra time as the views are sensational as well as it being the site of a prehistoric settlement.

Once back on the main path, the route winds through a small forest section before reaching the main road. Across the road is a stunning view point looking back down towards Tarbena and the surrounding mountains.

After leaving the viewpoint, head up the winding path away from the road and enjoy the changing scenery from rugged mountain sides to lush green, fertile farming land. You’ll wind your way down into the valley below the north of Tarbena before one final climb back up to the village.

Hiking in the Costa Blanca mountains – downloadable map route for the north of Tarbena

This is a circular route through varied terrain. The route isn’t signposted so I recommend downloading the route onto your phone first or buying a local map with the route marked on it.

Please note that the only facilities on this route are a couple of freshwater springs to refill your bottle. There are no shops or cafes so take enough food to last you all day.

I’ve also uploaded the route onto Komoot so you can download the route map to your phone. See the route on Komoot here. It will take around 5 hours to walk (not including rest stops) with around 740m of elevation.

You can also view the route and download it on the OS Map App too and the GPS feature will allow you to track your progress and see where you are on the map. Download the OS route here.

Don’t forget to check out my other blog posts on all things adventure in the Costa Blanca mountains here!