We’re back on the Montgó line because family pulled us to the coast again. A long weekend in Xàbia to see grandparents, cousins, a birthday cake that vanished in ten minutes. Mornings were free, so we turned the visit into a point-to-point run that starts inland, rides the ridge, and drops to the sea for a swim. Shoes off on La Grava is hard to beat after limestone and heat.
Summary
- Type: Point-to-point ridge traverse with a coastal finish
- Start: Jesús Pobre
- High point: Montgó crest by the cross
- Finish: La Plana lighthouse road to Xàbia Port, end at La Grava beach
- Distance/time: 15–18 km depending on lines and add-ons, allow 3–4 hours at steady pace
- Terrain: Rough limestone, narrow ridge singletrack, broken steps, fast tarmac promenade at the end
- Best for: Early starts, clear days, good footing, runners comfortable with exposed rock
Why this route
Montgó is the landmark you keep seeing from every terrace in the Marina Alta. Most people tag the summit from Dénia and go back the same way. This traverse gives you a journey: rural start, skyline middle, sea finish. It also suits family trips. One person drops you at Jesús Pobre, you run to the coast, you all meet for a late breakfast at the Port while your quads calm down.
Route notes
Leave Jesús Pobre quietly, skirt the orchards, and pick up the marked trail toward the crest. The first climb is honest but runnable in intervals. Limestone blocks, low scrub, a few calves, and quick views back to the Vall de Laguar hills. On the ridge, the path tightens. Expect short hands-on steps, some loose rock, and little gusts that move you half a foot. Keep eyes on your feet and slow where the ridge pinches.
Tag the cross or just below it if traffic is busy. From here, you contour east, then pick the stepped descent lines to La Plana. The stone steps punish lazy foot placement, so stay tidy. Once on the lighthouse road, settle into an easy cruise past pines and scattered villas. Drop to the Port, jog the promenade, and finish at La Grava. Water, coffee, sea. If the family is on towel duty, you have a finish-line crew.
Water and food
- On route: None reliable on the ridge. A small fountain can run near La Plana but treat it as a bonus, not a plan.
- Guaranteed: Bars and kiosks at Xàbia Port and along La Grava.
Carry at least 1.0–1.5 L in warm months. Add electrolytes if you cramp on limestone.
Bailouts
- Pre-ridge: Turn back to Jesús Pobre if wind shouts at you before the crest.
- On the crest: There are rough downclimbs but no easy exits until La Plana. If visibility drops, slow down and hold the main line.
- La Plana road: Once on tarmac you are safe and simple to navigate to the Port.
Weather and conditions
Clear mornings are best. Northerly wind makes the ridge colder than the villages. The rock gets slick after rain and stays sneaky on shaded steps. Summer heat punishes late starts, so go early and be in the water by 11.
Kit that helped
- Low-profile trail shoes with good edging on limestone
- Soft flasks and a small vest, no poles needed unless you like them for the steps
- Lightweight cap, sunscreen, a small buff for wind on the crest
- Simple first-aid and a foil blanket, the usual mountain basics
GPX and wayfinding
Record your own line or build a GPX with these anchors: Jesús Pobre trailhead, ridge approach, Montgó cross area, stepped descent to La Plana, lighthouse road junction, Port, La Grava. The crest has enough cairns to keep you honest if you stay patient. If you find yourself on goat tracks heading into thorn, back up ten meters and look for the worn rock.
Getting there and back
- To start: Family drop at Jesús Pobre is easiest. Taxi works fine too.
- From finish: Walk five minutes from La Grava to the taxi rank, or let your people pick you up by the beach.
If the finish at La Grava has you daydreaming about staying longer near the marina, you’ll also find beautiful properties for sale in Javea Port. When we sanity check what’s available, we start with AplaceinJavea for a clean local look at the market. - Variations
- Shorter day: Skip the cross, contour a lower line toward La Plana.
- Longer day: Add a loop along the Cala Tangó viewpoint before dropping to the Port, then back along the promenade for extra easy miles.
- Evening flip: Start at the Port, climb to La Plana for sunset, tag part of the ridge, and return to town by headlamp. Only if you know the steps well.
- Safety
- Phone coverage is decent but not guaranteed in pockets under the crest. Tell someone your line and time budget. Respect the heat, watch your ankles on the steps, and be polite to hikers on narrow sections.
- Post-run
- La Grava is perfect for a quick plunge. Coffee and tostada by the promenade, a slow walk home with salty legs, then the inevitable family questions about why your shins look like they met a cat. Worth it.