Visiting the Penon de Ifach from Moraira

Peñón de Ifach – the landmark rock of Calpe

The Peñón de Ifach (Penyal d’Ifac in Valencian) is the 332-metre limestone rock that rises straight out of the sea beside Calpe. A visit to the Peñón de Ifach does not have to mean the summit: the rock is a protected nature park with a visitor centre and viewpoints along the first part of the path, and it is a fine sight from the beaches around it as well. Booking online is compulsory for the whole park. This page covers what there is to see and how to arrange a visit; the full climb to the top is described on our page about climbing the Peñón de Ifach.

A small nature park with plants and birds of its own

The rock was declared the Parc Natural del Penyal d’Ifac in 1987. It is one of the smallest nature parks in Spain, but a great deal lives on those few hectares. The best-known plant is Silene hifacensis, a rare and severely threatened species that in the wild occurs almost nowhere else. On the lower slopes grow dwarf fan palm, juniper, lavender and pine; higher up, rock plants have taken hold.

For birdwatchers the rock is a breeding site for peregrine and Eleonora’s falcon, as well as gulls and cormorants. In spring, when the gulls are nesting, they can react sharply to walkers along the path: stay on the marked path and keep away from nests.

Visitor centre and viewpoints

The visitor centre at the foot of the rock, on the site of former houses, is the starting point of every visit. Here you get an explanation of the park and the red-marked path begins. On weekdays the centre is normally open from 8:30 to 14:30; at weekends and on public holidays it opens later, and in summer the times can differ. Check the current times on the park website.

The first part of the path, as far as the tunnel through the rock, is manageable for most walkers. Along the way are viewpoints such as the Mirador de Poniente, looking out over the salt pans of Calpe and the coast towards Moraira. Only after the tunnel does it become steep, slippery and rocky; that section suits only those who are sure-footed and have no fear of heights. With children you are better off staying on this side of the tunnel.

Seeing the rock without climbing

Anyone who would rather not enter the park has just as good a view from below. The beaches on either side of the rock, Playa del Arenal-Bol to the south and Playa de la Fossa to the north, look straight at it. On the landward side are the salt pans of Calpe, with the rock behind them. For more on the town, the beaches and the harbour, see our page on Calpe.

From Moraira to the Peñón de Ifach

The rock is about 14 kilometres from Moraira; by the CV-746 coast road you are there in roughly 20 to 25 minutes. The former car park right by the rock is closed; there is a larger, unpaved car park by the salt pans, about ten minutes’ walk from the starting point. In high season, parking closer in is paid.

Parc Natural del Penyal d’Ifac

Address: visitor centre at the foot of the rock, Calpe
From Moraira: ± 20 to 25 min by car
Google Maps

Go early in the morning if you can, while it is still cool. If you want to make a whole day of it with lunch in the harbour and an afternoon on the beach, see our day trip to Calpe from Moraira.