Peñón de Ifach, Calpe
This is a normal cache containing a few items from the shops in
Calpe. At the time of hiding, the cache contained a pair of nail
clippers, a sesame street ball, a deck of playing cards, a ring, a
fuzzy dog keychain, and the Monopoly travel bug.
The cache is located about 10 minutes hike from the top of the
Peñón de Ifach (also known as Penyal d'Ifac).
We must stress that the cache can be reached from the path -
leaving the path can be dangerous and would not be advised.
The hike itself takes around 2.5 hours to complete (up and down)
and is well worth the effort as you will be rewarded with amazing
views of the coastline (on a clear day it is even possible to see
Ibiza).
History
The Phoenicians called the Rock of Ifach the Northern Rock to
distinguish it from Gibraltar, the Southern Rock, as these were the
only spectacular promontories they encountered in their travels to
the western shores of the Mediterranean.
Ifach is indeed a large rock, measuring 332m in height. Today,
it is been transformed into a nature park to protect its unique
vegetation and over 300 species of animals, including colonies of
sea birds that use it as a nesting area.
Located here is a nature school where local carnations and even
original Robertonian orchids can be admired. The park itself can be
reached up a zigzagging track which is compulsory climbing for
anyone anxious to get a panoramic view over the entire Marina Alta
coastline.
Mountaineers use the southern face for practice, as it drops
straight down to the sea.