Forat de Bernia

The Forat de Bernia is a natural passage cut through the limestone of the Sierra de Bernia, roughly 20 metres long, connecting both sides of the ridge. It's also known as the «Comptador de les Cabres» (goat counter), because for centuries shepherds used it to move livestock from one flank of the mountain to the other without going around the whole massif.

A tunnel with a fort nearby

Close to the tunnel stand the ruins of Fort Bernia, a Renaissance-style fortification built in 1562 on the orders of King Felipe II and designed by the engineer Juan Bautista Antonelli to watch the coast for Barbary pirate raids. Its position along the ridge gave it visual control over both the shoreline and the interior, and it served as a landmark for the galleys patrolling this stretch of the Mediterranean.

The circular route linking the tunnel and the fort is moderately to highly demanding, running between 10 and 13 kilometres depending on the variant chosen, with a typical duration of four to five hours and considerable accumulated elevation gain. The usual starting point is Casas de Bernia, at the foot of the sierra, though the massif can also be approached from other villages nearby, including Altea. From the ridge, the views take in much of the Marina Baixa and Marina Alta coastline.

This is a mountain outing, different from the beach plans Altea is usually known for, and it pairs well with other natural routes in the municipality such as the Serra Gelada Natural Park, or with a swim afterwards at Cala de Mascarat or Playa La Roda.