Puig Campana

Puig Campana rises above Finestrat to 1,406 metres, the second-highest peak in Alicante province and one of the most recognisable silhouettes on the Costa Blanca, visible from much of the surrounding area and from out at sea. Its conical profile is broken near the summit by a deep notch known as the Tajo de Roldán, about 50 metres high and 20 to 25 metres wide, clearly visible even from the coast.

The legend of Roldán

Local tradition attributes the notch to the legendary hero Roldán (Roland), though several versions of the story exist. Some say he cut it in a single blow with his sword Durandal; others that a giant split it to let sunlight through, and that the piece of rock that broke off fell into the sea and became the Illa de Benidorm; a third version places the blow in a fight against a Moorish leader on the summit itself. None can be taken as history, but they all explain why the notch carries his name.

The usual ascent starts at the Font del Molí and is a demanding route, with more than 1,000 metres of elevation gain to the summit, recommended only for experienced, physically fit hikers. From the top, views stretch along the coast between Benidorm and Altea, and inland the neighbouring Monte Ponoig massif stands out. At the foot of the mountain, in Finestrat's town centre, are the Iglesia de Sant Bartomeu and the Ermita del Santísimo Cristo del Remedio.