El Barranco del Infierno - route of 6000 stairs

A route of 6000 stairs could seem in the first place deterring and I won’t say that El Barranco de Infierno isn’t physically challenging, but the route definitely deserves to be called the 'cathedral of hiking' in the Valencian Community. On the one hand because of the three steep descents and ascents there will be some people for whom the route is quite a challenge. On the other hand because hikers will be rewarded with stunning views, beautiful nature and fun hiking trails, I think it'll be worth it. Do the hike close to Denia, if you love nature, a hiking challenge and want to have a day off alone with fresh air and chirping birds. 

The best starting point for the route is in Fleix at the La Vall de Laguar. There is a parking area, where you can leave your car. Take plenty of water and snacks with you. You will need the nutrition for the hike of around 14 kilometers. The following photo shows the sunset when we completed the 'cathedral of hiking'. It took us about six and a half hours to complete with breaks and a lot of photo sessions included.

Enjoy the hike! Don’t be in a rush and start your journey early in the morning, so you won’t be afraid to end the route in pure darkness, which isn’t recommendable, because the trails aren’t easy to manage. With enough time you can appreciate nature’s wonders in these unique regions.

The advice is to take the route towards the right. It is better because you won’t have to do a steep ascent at the last part of the route - instead you will go down at first and will end up in a dried out river bed. The nature around the whole hike shows that there is still water that plants can rely on to grow and show their beauty.

After the dried out river bed you will have the first ascent in front of you. Once you've accomplished the main part of it, the trails leads you through a pine forest and by little households. Life up here seems to be a different one. The silence is only disturbed by nature’s sounds. We made the route at the beginning of February and during this time of the year there were plenty of flowers and trees blooming.

After the beautiful area uphill you will have to descend again, ending up once again in the dried out river bed before taking the ascent once more. The nature changes after every slope and the views over the surrounding mountains and over the cliffs along the river are incredible. Relish the diversity nature offers in these rural part of the Valencian Community.

Take a break from high, enjoying the view with a snack, after going down and up again for the last time. If you accomplish the third challenge then you will be close to the village of Fleix and close to completing the 'cathedral of hiking'. Enjoy the last part of your way while the sun sets.