Ifach Rock of Calpe

About this activity

The “Peñón de Ifach”, symbol of the Costa Blanca, rises out of the sea as a limestone rock of about 50,000 m2 at 332 m. height and one kilometer long. Attached to the land by a narrow isthmus, it is the result of a landslide of the nearby “Sierra de Oltà”, constituting one of the most unique and beautiful geographical features of the entire Mediterranean coast.

It is one of the most visited natural areas, a meeting point for divers, climbers and hikers.

The tour lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes and consists of 2 sections.

The first section reaches a tunnel of about 30 meters, built in 1918 to put an end to the dangerous climbs. It runs along a fairly regular path in which we will find two viewpoints; the Poniente and the botanical Cavanilles, with beautiful views over the beaches and coves of the west. Among lavender and pine trees that grow almost horizontally due to the effect of the wind, we cross the remains of the Iberian settlement (IV century B.C.).

Through the interior of the tunnel conditioned with rope ropes to avoid slipping, we reach the eastern side, where we find esparto grass, rosemary, juniper and juniper. At this point the path narrows and begins a more complicated section due to the slope and the relief that takes us to the top and that is worth the effort to have the feeling of touching the sky with your hand and enjoy the spectacular panoramic views over the Mediterranean that on the clearest days reaches the island of Ibiza.

In the Peñón de Ifach, several settlements have been established since ancient times. On the western slope there is evidence of an Iberian settlement, in Roman times the population descended to the isthmus and during the Middle Ages there is again evidence of occupation of the slopes, highlighting the Medieval Pobla de Ifac, the thirteenth century, until finally to the attacks by sea, its inhabitants descended to the village and created a new defensive system. The rock has been owned by several individuals until 1987 when it became the property of the Generalitat Valenciana, which declared it a Natural Park.

Its vegetation has been studied since 1971 in the time of the botanist Cavanilles and there are about 300 species that make up the plant community with important Valencian endemic species considered among the most endangered of the Iberian flora. The fauna includes the presence of birds such as the Eleonora falcon or the sea raven, with a total of 80 varieties considering migratory, wandering and nesting birds.

Among the marine fauna and flora found in its cliffs, we highlight the lichens, algae, porifera and various fish, with a significant presence of Mediterranean coral and an important community of algae that are an indicator of the good condition of the waters.

Don’t forget that it is necessary to make a reservation in order to do the Peñón de Ifach route!