Circular walk from Vistahermosa and the Sant Antoni Hermitage in Peñiscola

Start from Peñíscola, Plaza de la Constitución, the roundabout near the South Beach.

(S/E) Head north-west along the Carretera de l’Estació and, at^{the first} junction, turn left (past the chemist’s) onto Carrer de la Cova, which climbs in stages, passes the campsite and leads to a junction from which the Sierra comes into view. Continue straight on along the downhill track until you reach a right-hand bend.

(1) Ignore the Avinguda d’Italia, which heads uphill to the right, and take the level path opposite; you’ll soon reach the^first junction.

(2) Turn left to climb up the old stone terraces, towards the Cerro des Sol monument. When you reach a track (altitude 76 m), follow it down to the right to join a small road at a pass between Monte Pitxells and Las Atalayas.

(3) Cross straight ahead to descend into the Barranc de Pixells ravine, join the path coming from the left and climb back up opposite, on the right-hand bank, to the imposing livestock buildings at Vistahermosa, halfway up the slope.

(4) Go round them on the right and continue climbing up the ridge to the crest. The path descends, passes a small pass and then climbs up the opposite side towards a watering hole for livestock, then on to the foot of a highest point (421m): L’Alts de Vistahermosa.

(5) The path descends again, heading roughly south-west. At a junction, let the route to Pulpis head uphill to the right whilst you stay on level ground. Cross a ravine and veer sharply left towards the east, initially on level ground, then uphill to climb over a rocky outcrop before descending directly to the site of the Sant Antoni Hermitage.

(6) Head back down via a path leading to the access road for the Hermitage; follow its hairpin bends down to the plain, where you’ll join the roads of an abandoned housing development.
There are a few possible shortcuts along this descent.

(7) Ignore these new tracks and follow the historic path – now also tarmacked – which turns left, heading north-east, and runs along the level hillside to the junction with the Monte Pitxells housing development.

(8) Head back up the small road to the left, heading north, until you reach the junction at the small pass you encountered on the way out.

(3) Carry on straight ahead; 20 metres past the pass, take the path on the right leading into the mountains. You’ll come back to the junction of the short circular path.

(2) Follow the path you took on the way there, which leads to Avinguda d’Italia, then into the centre of Peñiscola and to Plaza de la Constitución (S/E).

This circular walk can be completed in half a day; it’s best to set off in the morning to enjoy the rising sun and avoid the heat of the day.

If you have a car, you can drive part of the way out of town to shorten the circular route: parking is available at (1) and (8)

Be sure to take plenty of water with you: there is a water tank in Sant Antoni, but it is only for cooling off as the water is not classified as drinkable.

The views of Peñíscola, the sea and the mountains are constant once you’ve gained a little height.

The Hermitage site is a great spot for a picnic break.