Wednesday, April 8, 2009

15 Apr 2006 - Orba Castle



On Sunday 15 April 2006 we set off for our first "proper" walk, armed with our copy of the Cicerone Guide Costa Blanca Mountain Walks by Bob Stansfield. We had bought this book in Salisbury, and were delighted to find that many of the walks was in our very own Jalon Valley.



The nearest walk to Parcent was the Orba Castle walk. The directions were clear and simple. Drive to a nearby restaurant, look for a cairn and follow the path to the castle. We were not to know that this walk is well known to local walkers, because the path no longer exists!




We spent half an hour searching for the cairn, which no longer exists. We could see the castle, and decided to just head straight for it. I suppose it took us about an hour, but it seemed much longer. The path was completely overgrown with thick thorn bushes which cut our legs.


When we finally reached the top the views were wonderful. Not too sure if it was worth the pain and effort mind. We were determined to find a better path down, and very pleased when we found a well signed path. Unfortunately it took us down the wrong side of the hill, and we ended at the bottom of the winding Orba hill. After a much deserved rest we had to walk up the steep road to our car. Not our most successful walk!





No comments:

Post a Comment