Benidorm - Platja de Sant Joan (Alicante)

This is a walking route from Benidorm to Platja de Sant Joan in Alicante, following the coast as closely as possible. The route follows unpaved paths as much as possible, although larger sections are nevertheless paved. It is a long route, and the middle section involves a considerable amount of elevation gain. The route starts at the tram station in Benidorm and proceeds in a straight line from there to the promenade along Platja de Ponent. The beach is followed to the Tossal de la Cada (km 4.1), a rocky point jutting out into the sea, and then crosses it to continue along the beach of Cala de Finestrat. Subsequently, the 'Sendero de la Costa de la Playa del Torres a La Cada' is followed, leading uphill and inland along unpaved paths to the west of the mountain range topped by the Torre d'Aguilo. It is a beautiful path through a wooded nature reserve offering stunning views, including of the cliff coast. The beach is followed closely again at Platja Torres (km 8.3). After that, there is some climbing again, and the route continues about twenty meters above sea level before descending back to Platja de Tío Roig and more beaches of Villajoyosa. This is followed by a short stretch further inland to circle La Malladeta and briefly follow the beach again near El Paradís (km 14.9). Next, the route passes through residential areas and the Montboli hotel complex, briefly going steeply uphill and downhill. From the beach at the Torre del Xarco (km 18), the route ascends, running along the cliff about 60 meters above the sea with beautiful panoramic views all around. From the first houses of Venta Lanuza (km 21) to El Poblet, the route runs up and down for about three kilometers over quiet paved roads and through built-up areas. This is by far the least interesting part of the route. From El Poblet, the route ascends again along an unpaved path marked in white and yellow towards Torre de Reixes (at an altitude of 155m). This is followed by a steep descent along an informal walking path to Punta del Barranc d'Aigües and Platja dels Carrabiners (km 26.4). Then follows another less interesting section of about five kilometers along paved roads through built-up areas to the port of El Campello. The final part of the route from El Campello to Platja de Sant Juan runs along the promenade beside the beaches.