Tossal d’Encanadé circular loop from Fredes

The Tossal d’Encanadé (or Encanader) is the highest point in the Tinença de Benifassá Natural Park. The suggested route starts from the village of Fedes, already at an altitude of 1,100 metres, climbs to the Coll de Tombadors, then follows the descending ridge of the Serra Pelada before climbing again to the Tossal d’Encanadé. 
The circular return path passes through Mas Blanc, then descends through the forest along an old, overgrown path, where cairns help to keep you on track. It brings you back down to an altitude of 1,000 metres, from where you must make a fairly long climb through the forest to return to Fredes.

Details

n°61291811
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.62 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,942 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,913 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,531 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,271 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

From Ulldecona or the motorway junction, head towards La Sénia and continue along the road leading to the Benifassa Convent, passing the Ulldecona reservoir (Embalse).
After a climb, turn right towards Fredes; do not turn off to the right towards the convent, but continue along the road which winds its way up, passes over a pass and reaches a lush green valley before arriving at Fredes.
Car park at the entrance to the village.

(S/E) Take the unpaved but passable track heading north-west. After a hairpin bend to the right, you’ll reach a junction.

(1) Continue straight on along the track, which climbs via a few hairpin bends and flat sections up to the wide Coll de Tombadors.

(2) Turn left (towards Tossal dels Tres Reis) and, immediately, leave the track to turn 90° left onto a forest track. This climbs in stages to the foot of the highest points of the Serra Pelada and begins a descent through woodland. It emerges at the summit of the grassy ridge of the Serra Pelada.

(3) Descend via the Cami del Mas Blanc, enjoying unobstructed views. The track climbs slightly, still through open country, before veering right to descend into the forest and emerge into the old mountain pastures of Mas Blanc, at a junction on an unnamed pass.

(4) Turn right to cross the level fields. The track then turns left, cutting across a continuous stone wall.

(5) The start of the path to the summit is 30 m after the bend, on the left. The path splits in places but remains clear enough to follow easily. The aim is to climb straight up the slope, keeping the stone wall a few metres to your left. Shortly before reaching the top of the ridge, the path veers to the right to traverse the slope – sometimes on a sloping surface – and continues to climb gently, passing two small rocky outcrops (cairns) to reach the gentle slopes leading to the summit (Petite Tour).

(6) Return via the same route, traversing then heading straight up the slope to (5) and then (4). On the way down, it is possible to cut straight across towards Mas Blanc, but the path is not maintained and becomes somewhat lost amongst the retaining walls; it is preferable to return to the track.

(4) Once back at the unnamed pass, turn sharply right towards Mas Blanc, passing a barrier that prevents vehicle access.

(7) Amidst the imposing buildings on this site, head for the corner of the outbuildings to take an old path marked by cairns, which begins to descend between the terraces bounded by the low retaining walls. This path is overgrown and sometimes obstructed, but whenever you risk losing it, there are cairns which you should follow, even if they cut across some of the old bends, as they enable you to stay on course and descend without getting lost, first down gentle grassy slopes, then down steeper wooded slopes. This section therefore requires care and, after a 200-metre descent, leads to the bed of the (usually dry) Arroyo de Trencaladre stream, which you cross before climbing up the opposite side to reach a forest track a few metres further on.

(8) Turn sharply left to head up this track, first along the bottom of the valley, then, after a hairpin bend to the right, climb up the slope on the right bank of the Barranc de Prades. This section through the forest is quite long, as it involves a few ascents and descents and a few detours around tributary ravines. Emerge from the top of the forest to reach the old mountain pastures at Mas de Trencaladres.

(9) Continue along the track, which climbs only slightly from here and joins the Coll de Tombadors road near a damp, level stretch.

(1) Turn right onto the final hairpin bend leading back to Fredes (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,586 ft - Fredes
  2. 1 : mi 0.48 - alt. 3,757 ft - Junction on the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 1.51 - alt. 4,140 ft - Coll de Tombadors (1258 m)
  4. 3 : mi 2.34 - alt. 4,278 ft - Serra Pelada
  5. 4 : mi 3.74 - alt. 3,914 ft - Unnamed pass near Mas Blanc
  6. 5 : mi 3.86 - alt. 3,957 ft - Start of the path to the summit
  7. 6 : mi 4.6 - alt. 4,528 ft - Tossal d'Encanadé (1394 )
  8. 7 : mi 5.78 - alt. 3,878 ft - Mas Blanc
  9. 8 : mi 6.69 - alt. 3,287 ft - El Corvasí – Arroyo de Trencaladre
  10. 9 : mi 8.81 - alt. 3,694 ft - Mas de Trencaladres
  11. S/E : mi 9.62 - alt. 3,586 ft - Fredes

Notes

The entire route is on tracks or paths, which are sometimes faintly marked or unmaintained, but there are no off-trail sections, which makes it easy to find your way.

Part of the route runs through woodland (holm oaks or pines) and at altitude (between 1,000 and 1,400 metres), which keeps it pleasant even in blazing sunshine.

There are no signposts, but the route is usually obvious, and cairns are present at points where you might be unsure which way to go.

Worth a visit

There are sweeping views on the descent from Serra Pelada and then from the summit.

The areas you pass through are either woodland or mountain pastures, which are unfortunately in a state of neglect. Many retaining and boundary walls are no longer properly maintained but bear witness to a rich pastoral past.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 1 review

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
PACO0908
PACO0908

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We didn’t come across a single soul. Even the village was deserted. The scenery is fabulous. I liked the second bit after the peak best.

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