Monte Ponoig

Monte Ponoig, also known as Ponotx, rises west of Polop to a summit of around 1,181 metres. Its long, rocky outline, with sheer walls on three of its four sides, has earned it the nickname "sleeping lion." Together with the neighbouring Puig Campana, it forms part of a protected landscape designated in 2006 for the value of its natural surroundings.

A demanding climb

The usual route starts in Polop along the Bovalar path to the base of the Barranc de Gulabdar, a canyon hemmed in by vertical walls. From there the trail climbs to the Coveta de la Moscarda and the Collado del Llamp, with views toward Puig Campana itself, before finishing up the north face to the summit. It's a physically demanding circular route with a considerable elevation gain, waymarked as part of the PR-CV 13 and PR-CV 17 local trails.

Ponoig's rock faces also hold numerous sport-climbing routes and a via ferrata, so it's common to run into climbers at the base of the canyon. The PR-CV 13 trail also connects through to Finestrat, on the other side of the massif. It's worth tackling the hike with proper mountain footwear, a reasonable level of fitness, and avoiding the middle of the day in summer; from the top, the views stretch across the whole Marina Baixa to the sea.