San julian
The mountains of San Julian and Serra Grossa are located between Alicante and San Juan. If you drive from the south and Alicante city shows up, you see first the mountain with the castle Santa Barbara in the north, followed by the mountain of San Julian and the mountain of Serra Grossa. The Sierra of San Julian and Serra Grossa together occupy an area that exceeds 80 hectares, framed in a perimeter of 5 kilometers.
In another blog I will climb the highest mountain Serra Grossa, the third mountain before San Juan. This was just a short walk with my dogs at San Julian.
Start of the route on Calle Obispo Victorio Oliver, number 12, a house called “La Cigarra”. First go down to the water reservoir and climb the stairs around the water reservoir and go op to the little park with a viewing point. From there you can go up to the highest viewing point.
Above (1): view from San Julian mountain to the port of Alicante and Postiguet beach.
Above (2): view from San Julian mountain on Serra Grossa mountain and the skyline of San Juan.
The mountain is a geographical landmark, used by humans since prehistory and decisive in the development of the City, is currently conceived as an urban forest park .
Hiking the higher Serra Grossa is much more exiting, but personally I like San Julian more, because of the old water deposit. It is a ruin now, due to the British bombings of 1706 (La Guerra Civil). The nice thing is that you can go inside the water deposit!
There are stairs behind the water reservoir, which brings you to the first viewing point “Mirador de la Sangueta”.
From the second and higher viewing point you have a great view on Avenida de Villajoyossa, the coastal road to San Juan and the little pebble stone beach Cala de la Sangueta.
Above: view on the tram tunnel.
Under: view on San Juan.
Hiking San Julian mountain (La Sierra de Molinet) is a short and easy walk. Some stair steps are high. I took my two dogs with me and I had to carry my the little one (9 kilos) at these stairs.
The hill going back from the viewing point can be a bit slippery (see the 3 photos under).
Above: 3 pictures to show it can be slippery sometimes!
Under: video made through Relive. All photos copyright by Gertjan Holleman.
