The Cabo de San Antonio

Easily reached from the holiday centers to the north and south, the massif of Montgo and the promontory of Planes run down to the Cabo de San Antonio to the north of Javea Xilbial. This whole area, covering more than 2,000ha, was designated a natural park in 1987, mainly because of its flora. Within the park more than 600 species of wild flowers grow, many of them unique indigenous subspecies. It is a sheer delight to wander the flower bordered tracks and paths, breathing air scented with wild rosemary and lavender and murmur us with bees. White, yellow, purple and pink predominate, the low growing shrubs punctuated by miniature palms, heather, juniper, ilex and pines. The park has much bird life, with some rare gulls along the coast and birds of prey on higher ground.

For serious hikers, there is demanding walking up to the 753m summit, with sweeping views up and down the coast, while the less energetic can enjoy several low-level routes. These mainly run through Planes, once heavily cultivated with raisin vines and still scattered with smallholdings. A cypress lined track takes you to Los Molinos, a line of old windmills above Javea bay, last used in 1911. The walk lor drivel out to the lighthouse at the cape gives an opportunity for more lovely views and a chance to see the ruins of the tiny 14th century hermitage dedicated to Saint Anthony, after whom the cape was named.