Via Ferrata Pas De Cabres In Tavernes De La Valldigna
Today we present a recently re-equipped via ferrata. It is the via ferrata Pas de Cabres in Tavernes de la Valldigna in the region of La Safor in Valencia. Thanks to the Tavernes Hiking Centre that has checked the adequacy of the equipment, installed anchors and safety elements that facilitate the route with confidence, tranquility and quality in a spectacular setting.
To do the route we went to the Les Creus mountain, a place with privileged views at the top with panoramic views of the Valldigna and the town of Tavernes on the south side and the Mediterranean coast on the northeast side.
Starting from the Alicante Aventura base camp at the Playa Paraíso campsite in Villajoyosa, we took the AP-7 motorway towards Valencia. Take exit 60 Tavernes/Xeresa to the N-332 and at the next roundabout take the first exit. Follow the sign CV-50 Tavernes de la Valldigna/Platja and continue towards Tavernes through several roundabouts, once you enter the town turn right at the first roundabout onto Calle Mestre Serrano and follow it to the end where you turn left into Doctor Gomez Ferrer street where you park your car, close to the Valldigna Tennis Club. Parking is easy to find in this area.
Very close by are the signposts for the PR footpaths that are to be found there. Initially we follow the PR-CV 38 towards Fontetes de Cantus 1’5 km/45′.
We cross some gates that prevent access to vehicles and pass by a drinking water tank, which we leave on the left hand side.
To the right is the signposting for the path up to the mountain, well marked with the PR markings on the rocks.
We go straight up, leaving the El Castellets path on the left, although you can also go up that way and do a circular route in an anti-clockwise direction. The climb takes about 40 minutes and you reach the Fontetes de Cantus.
We continue a little further up and skirting the hill to the left we reach the top where we can enjoy the incredible views of the Mediterranean coast and the beaches of Xeraco, Tavernes and Cullera.
The ascent alone is worth the walk. We follow the path to the next PR signpost and find the signpost to the via ferrata on the left.
The route is marked by blue arrows painted on the rocks, and after a not very long way we find the start of the via ferrata.
We anchor ourselves to the lifeline and walk along the path on an open ledge on the left with a view of the path we have climbed.
At the beginning it seems that more than a via ferrata it is an “equipped path” as it has few clamps at the beginning and the route is mostly horizontal, which is not usual in other via ferratas that are mainly vertical.
My experience in via ferrata can be summed up in 9 in total, in which I have gradually overcome my fear of heights, so this one seemed easy, original and enjoyable, as I was not “suffering” when I saw the level of altitude typical of them.
In particular, this via ferrata reminded me a lot of the Via ferrata of Relleu, with its rock walls and crest climbs. Its level of difficulty seemed to me to be suitable for beginners and combined with the uphill and downhill walk, it is suitable for hiking enthusiasts.
We then left the first section and its views of Tavernes and the sea and continued walking along the mountainside, this section somewhat less well signposted but intuitive. We find the second section with a rocky ascent and holds on the rock, with a few aid clamps and a climb up a small spur that does not involve any difficulty.
We continue towards a wall with a vertical step that is a little exposed, although with aid clamps, and we walk through areas with a lot of bushes until we reach another small ledge that takes us to a large ridge with incredible views of the sea and the town of Tavernes.
We walk again for a short stretch until we reach one of the most beautiful passages of the route, a vertical route along the wall where we find some figures of goats and a few staples that help us to pass without much difficulty.
We continue walking along the wall anchored to the life wire without losing the views of the city and admiring the mountain until we reach the last stretch.
A vertical climb with quite a few clamps and a climbing dam.
After another small horizontal ledge we reach the sign with the name of the route and its inauguration in 2014 by the Tavernes de la Valldigna Hiking Centre.
Next is another small vertical ascent that is somewhat more exposed and more aerial than the rest of the route.
This leads us to the letterbox with the image of a goat where we find the visitors’ book where we can leave a few words or a souvenir of the activity.
And finally the last vertical stretch that takes us to the top with impressive views of the city and the end of this via ferrata.
We walk following the blue arrows to one of the crosses of the mountain “El Alt de les Creus”.
We continue along a path with few indications, but intuitive and some milestones that lead us to the fork and the signpost indicating PR trails where the signpost for the via ferrata was located.
The only thing left to do is to go down the same path and pass again through “les fontetes de Cantus” until we reach Tavernes, another 45 min. approximately. Without a doubt, and despite having done the best via ferratas in Alicante, this via ferrata is my favourite. For its combination of hiking with small climbing climbs, for looking like an “equipped path” and for its magnificent views in each section of the route. Recommended for beginners and for people with “respect” for heights, very aerial and exposed via ferratas.
Without a doubt I will repeat this experience and of course with Alicante Aventura who have the best guides who are experts in carrying out activities with all the safety and complete obligatory CE approved equipment (harness with dissipator, carabiners and helmet), and they also have equipment hire for via ferratas. Thanks to Vicente Monerris for his confidence, skill and for making this adventure a wonderful experience, and for his extensive photographic report that leaves an indelible memory of the activity. The best guide you can come across.
La Vila Joiosa, 14th January 2022
Veronica Barrachina Martinez