Description of Site -This must be one of the largest coastal “wilderness” areas on the Northern Costa Blanca. It is located just south of the “nose” of the east coast, Cabo de la Nao. With steep cliffs, ravines, mixed scrub and occasional stands of pine it is an inviting prospect for any migrants following the coastal routes. Unfortunately for the birds it is also a well used hunting area, but the hunting season ends each year in January (Jan 6th in 2009). Granadella covers many square kilometres, but despite ravines and sheer cliffs has a fairly level network of pathways close to the sea but at an elevation of 150/200m. The vegetation is mainly scrub with occasional stands of pine, lavender and rosemary bushes being everywhere. Birds seen here include; Meadow Pipit, Sardinian and Dartford Warbler, Chaffinch, Crag Martin and Siskin, and it is a reliable spot for Peregrine and Kestrel.
Directions – To find the site come off the A7 motorway at Junction 63, Benissa. After the tollbooth take the second exit to Teulada (first exit is to Benissa). This brings you directly onto the N332 heading north. After 3 km, at the first roundabout, turn right for Teulada. At the next small roundabout carry straight on (commercial centre on Your right). You pass immediately under a railway bridge and go 2/3 rds of the way round the next roundabout before turning up the dual carriageway that runs through Teulada´s main street. At the top of the hill, and end of the dual carriageway, there is yet another roundabout. Again go about 2/3 rds round and head for Benitachell. Benitatxell (Valenciano spelling!) is 4 km from Teulada. On entering Benitatxell follow the main road (it bends right at one point) until you come to traffic lights at a cross roads (BBVA bank on your right). Go straight across and down the main road with the shops either side, heading for Javea (Xabia). As you start to leave the shops there are traffic lights and a road forking off to the right to Cumbre del Sol – in case you miss it Cumbre del Sol is the 442m peak next to the sea!
Climb up to Cumbre del Sol and follow the main road until you see a variety of direction signs. Go left, and skirt round the northern edge of the urbanisation, following the signs to Bar Hipica. Bar Hipica is on the left as you go down the hill. Just past the Bar the road ends and you are at the start of the Granadella scrub and pathways. There is plenty of parking on the roadway at the edge of the urbanisation. You can drive into the scrub for about 400 metres and then park, but risk missing ideal warbler habitat which is on your right as soon as you enter the area. There is a marked path running north-east parallel to the coast. After about 1 km you pass a concrete reservoir on your right and there is a choice of signed routes.
On an initial visit it is recommended that the right hand path is taken as this goes to the sea, and a small shelter perched on the top of the cliff. At this small shelter there are a number of options of marked paths.