Serra de Bérnia – Fort de Bérnia Circular

Jim Arymar

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The hike follows the same route as Walk 8110 to begin with, an easy ramble down to the spring and water trough along the meandering dirt road. From here our way takes us steadily up towards the Penyas del Portixol and we begin to have to clamber up rocky crevices and cross scree. Eventually we climb up to the tunnel which connects the north and south sides of the enormous Serra Bérnia ridge. An uncomfortable 25m scramble through brings us to an unforgettable viewpoint where we can look down on a vast expanse of the Mediterranean coastline. We continue along a rocky footpath and soon divert upwards briefly to visit the Neolithic cliff paintings before resuming our rocky way- once again negotiating scree and clambering as necessary.

Eventually we are at the Fort de Bérnia at over 800m above sea level and it is from here that we could, if experienced and brave enough, tackle the 1.5km climb to the mountaintop viewpoint at 1,176m above sea level. We are advised that this route involves crossing much loose scree and thus the descent could be very tricky. From the fort we head north initially for a short distance before curving right to descend beside a huge canyon. Our footpath is clear and very soon we reach a wide track close to the Racó de la Sagaissa headland. Once more we take to a meandering footpath leading us down through pinewoods to reach a wide track. This all too soon brings us back to where we parked the car.

Spain - East Spain - Alicante - Serra de Bernia

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Mountains, Restaurant, Wildlife, Woodland
7/5/2021 - Robin Flowers

I walked this alone in 1995. I was 52 then, and found it quite hard (it was also very hot) but it was one of those walks that are quite unforgettable. I saw nobody en route. In those days the only map I could get hold of was the Spanish Army map of the area which was a bit like Ordnance Survey but without so much detail and printed circa 1940 so not a lot of help (and no motorways of course). I worried a bit about the tunnel because I couldn't see light at the end of it. There was one hell of a breeze blowing through it however and I decided to go through. I recall it being less than 1.5m high (more like 900mm) but perhaps it has been enlarged since. The views, especially emerging from the tunnel, were fabulous. I think I'm probably too ancient to do it now, but I can dream!