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El Tossal Trail
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ROUTE:

2.8 km

DURATION:

1 hour 30 minutes

DIFFICULTY:

Easy

Recover the Mountain

El Tossal, also known as Monte Tossal, is a promontory with a height of 87 meters above sea level, where the San Fernando Castle is located. El Tossal is embraced by the Alicante neighborhoods of San Blas, Mercado and Campoamor, representing an enclave of significant environmental value for the City.

In 1911, the Alicante doctor Antonio Rico Cabot, being a councilor, proposed to the City Council to acquire the mountain of San Fernando Castle, a barren and desolate promontory, to reforest it with pines and turn it into a green lung and recreational area for the population. Dr. Rico recommended that Alicante should not invest anything, but that the councilors and the mayor should provide the capital due to the lack of funds in the municipal coffers. The project would go ahead, with the City receiving four-fifths of the total land and later the remaining fifth, with a total investment of 50,000 pesetas at that time. ‘Its forest repopulation would cost the Town Hall nothing as it was undertaken by the Tree Protection Society.’

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Trail Stops

1. Start

2. Monte Tossal Park

3. Area of differentiated routes

4. Panoramic views

5. Grove and connecting paths of the Park

6. East Access – San Fernando Castle

7. Park – Bust of Dr. Rico

8. Geological interpretation area

9. Cross of the Century and Viewpoint

Other trails

TRADITIONAL DOWNTOWN OF ALICANTE

LA ERETA PARK

EL CAMPO - TABARCA

WALLED CITADEL – TABARCA

TRAILS IN BENACANTIL

SIERRA DE SAN JULIAN - SERRA GROSSA

CABO DE LA HUERTA

TORRES DE LA HUERTA

LA MARJAL FLOODABLE PARK

EL TOSSAL TRAIL

Monte Orgegia

All Routes in Alicante

Download Route Brochure

Route A

Maritime facade of Alicante

Route B

Santa Barbara Castle

Route C

Old Town of Alicante

Route D

The Traditional Downtown of Alicante

Route E

Alicante Air Raid Shelters

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Highlights

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In the second half of the 20th century, works would be carried out for the recovery of spaces and recreational-educational uses in the Tossal, such as the installation in 1963 of what was the children’s traffic park or, in 1995, the theme park on the eastern slope of the mountain which, after a decade, was partially rebuilt.

As 2018 progressed, the Town Hall would initiate the works of the Execution Project for the erosion correction and adaptation of degraded forest areas in the Tossal (FEDER – EDUSI Alicante Funds). The consolidation of slopes has been combined with the creation of trails that facilitate pedestrian transit, connecting the facilities and the neighborhoods in the area. A process of flora recovery has been carried out, acting in the most depressed areas of the mountain, with trees, shrub and herbaceous plants characteristic of the Mediterranean forest, applying sustainability criteria with the improvement of irrigation by using reclaimed water. The relevance of geology in the Tossal has meant that the works carried out took into account the heritage value of some outcrops, fostering the history told by its Quaternary rocks.

1. Start

0 meters

We start the route in front of the roundabout, where the monument to the Heroes of the War of Independence is located, at the junction of Calle Catedratico Jaume Mas i Porcel and Calle Escultor Bañuls.

2. Monte Tossal Park

50 meters

We are at the facilities of the ‘Monte Tossal’ park; inaugurated in the spring of 1995, its morphology simulated the Valencian Community, hence it was called ‘thematic’, divided into its different regions, with a layout of terraces characteristic of traditional crops. The plant species, according to the initial project, were to be representative of those existing in the bioclimatic zones of the autonomous community. All this combined with recreational areas where material was provided for the various games in this park, which was a pioneer in the recreational-educational services of the large parks in Alicante. We continue along the sidewalk heading north, on the right we have the skatepark and ahead we see the football stadium. A few meters further, slightly to the right, we take the transformer booth of the repeaters as a reference.

3. Area of differentiated routes

400 meters

We walk around the small hut and follow a wooden railing, entering a network of trails that are marked by colored lines on the ground—red, blue, or green—indicating the difficulty or incline of the interconnected paths. At the first crossroads between the main road and our trail, we find a space dominated by a eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). This spot was once home to an ancient spring known as Fuente Santa. In 1260, Alfonso X, known as “the Wise,” invested 500 maravedis “to help bring water from Fuente Santa to your town,” using the existing qanat system. This spring, which supplied water to the city for several centuries, was later renamed Font del Traves and, eventually, Casa Blanca. We continue along the first inner path to the right, heading southeast. Further ahead, we climb a set of stairs, using the hut-transformer tower as a visual reference point.

4. Panoramic views

200 meters

We turn left and in the opposite direction, we descend a ramp until we reach a point that can serve as a viewpoint. The nearest image is that of the neighboring Barrio Campoamor. As a background landscape, and starting a visual tour from northeast to east, we can see some of the mountains of Alicante as the Carrasqueta, the Cabeço d’Or, Aitana, and Puig Campana. Already in the city, we see the Serra Grossa with Cerro el Molinet and then Monte Benacantil with Santa Barbara Castle on its summit. Our route continues south, flanked by mulberry trees (Morus alba) and pines (Pinus halepensis) which, as the route progresses, are also combined with Ficus microcarpa, known as Indian laurel. But, in addition to these trees aligned with the mission of providing shade, in this part of the hillside, we can easily identify other species with a more ornamental function as the tree of love or Judas (Cercis siliquastrum) or whose size attracts attention as the araucaria excelsa or Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla).

5. Grove and connecting paths of the Park

250 meters

At the fork, we go down on our left and, shortly after, turn right onto the path that crosses until we reach the vicinity of Calle Ronda del Castillo. In this section of the trail, we find secondary paths that can be easily walked and that connect with the surrounding neighborhoods, unique stairways with sleepers, an elevated walkway, and auxiliary elements that complement the trail.

6. East Access – San Fernando Castle

500 meters

Ascending slightly, we approach San Fernando Castle, named after King Ferdinand VII and hastily constructed between 1809 and 1813 to resist Napoleonic invasion. Looking up, we first see the northernmost bastion. We skirt the conical bastion, leaving the ramp to the fortress on our right. Heading northwest, we take the left trail at a fork, which descends into the park.

7. Park – Bust of Dr. Rico

450 meters

We pass by the restored bust of Dr. Rico, a work of sculptor Daniel Bañuls carved in limestone and installed in the park in 1930, in recognition and honor of this doctor from Alicante who in 1911, thanks to his perseverance and being a councilman, proposed to the Consistory to acquire the Tossal de San Fernando to turn it into a green lung and recreation area for the population. In the adjoining and lower terraces, was installed the old children’s traffic park in which, between the 60s and 80s of the last century, Antonio Pomares, affectionately known as “Sargento Moquillo”, taught road traffic rules to girls and boys who were behind the wheel of a pedal car, tricycle or bicycle. We headed towards the access to the roadway and a few meters away we crossed the crosswalk that links the southwest side of the hill. After some steps, we begin a small ascent in a northerly direction, and at the first crossing we turn in the opposite direction; we continue along a pleasant path with benches, appreciating rows of oleanders (Nerium oleander) on the margins, mulberry trees, pines and

8. Geological interpretation area

200 meters

In front of a continuous rock wall, we find an interpretive panel about the geology of Tossal, which also helps us understand the geological history of Alicante. To our left, there is a small path, but we continue straight ahead. From here, we enjoy a view of the downtown with the Mediterranean Sea in the background. A few meters further, we turn right next to a triangular planter. We enter an area filled with mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus), saltbush (Salsola oppositifolia), esparto grass (Stipa tenacissima), carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua), and olive trees (Olea europaea), blending with the pine forest—a result of recent reforestation efforts. A short distance ahead, we find another geological interpretation point, where we can observe different types of limestone rocks, such as tufa and travertine, which formed in environments associated with watercourses. Fossilized plant remains can also be seen in these rocks. We now stand behind the IES Jorge Juan school, established on the Tossal in 1953. However, its origins date back to the mid-19th century when it was founded as the Provincial Public Secondary School, beginning its activity in the ‘La Asegurada’ mansion. This marked the start of secondary education in Alicante. Further ahead is the IES Miguel Hernandez, which began as a girls’ school in 1963, initially sharing facilities with IES Jorge Juan for three years. To our right, we ascend some steps leading to a path that splits in two.

9. Cross of the Century and Viewpoint

300 meters

Taking the right path brings us to a viewpoint. If we take a short detour to the left, we reach the back of the Practicas – La Aneja school, where we find the Cross of the Century. This monument was inaugurated in 1901 to commemorate the arrival of the Santa Faz relic in Alicante and the beginning of the new century. The Cross was destroyed by dynamite in 1934 but rebuilt in 1939.
At the viewpoint, we can see the city extending southward, with the bay and Cabo de Santa Pola in the distance. Looking west, we spot Sierra Sancho and Sierra Borgunyo, with the Fontcalent range standing out. Much of what we see relates to geology. Beneath us lie over 20 meters of tufa limestone formed by an ancient river system that shaped the Quaternary landscape thousands of years ago. We continue along the path next to the wall bordering the CEIP Practicas – La Aneja, a public school located in the former premises of the Teacher Training School from 1964. We skirt the school, following a trail equipped with a rustic handrail. At the next fork, we take the left path, leading to a rest area and the former Railway Orphans’ School, which closed in June 1990 and now houses the Conservatory. Finally, we pass by the Tourism Center and return to the starting point of our trail.

In the second half of the 20th century, works would be carried out for the recovery of spaces and recreational-educational uses in the Tossal, such as the installation in 1963 of what was the children’s traffic park or, in 1995, the theme park on the eastern slope of the mountain which, after a decade, was partially rebuilt.

As 2018 progressed, the Town Hall would initiate the works of the Execution Project for the erosion correction and adaptation of degraded forest areas in the Tossal (FEDER – EDUSI Alicante Funds). The consolidation of slopes has been combined with the creation of trails that facilitate pedestrian transit, connecting the facilities and the neighborhoods in the area. A process of flora recovery has been carried out, acting in the most depressed areas of the mountain, with trees, shrub and herbaceous plants characteristic of the Mediterranean forest, applying sustainability criteria with the improvement of irrigation by using reclaimed water. The relevance of geology in the Tossal has meant that the works carried out took into account the heritage value of some outcrops, fostering the history told by its Quaternary rocks.

9. Cross of the Century and Viewpoint

300 meters

Taking the right path brings us to a viewpoint. If we take a short detour to the left, we reach the back of the Practicas – La Aneja school, where we find the Cross of the Century. This monument was inaugurated in 1901 to commemorate the arrival of the Santa Faz relic in Alicante and the beginning of the new century. The Cross was destroyed by dynamite in 1934 but rebuilt in 1939.
At the viewpoint, we can see the city extending southward, with the bay and Cabo de Santa Pola in the distance. Looking west, we spot Sierra Sancho and Sierra Borgunyo, with the Fontcalent range standing out. Much of what we see relates to geology. Beneath us lie over 20 meters of tufa limestone formed by an ancient river system that shaped the Quaternary landscape thousands of years ago. We continue along the path next to the wall bordering the CEIP Practicas – La Aneja, a public school located in the former premises of the Teacher Training School from 1964. We skirt the school, following a trail equipped with a rustic handrail. At the next fork, we take the left path, leading to a rest area and the former Railway Orphans’ School, which closed in June 1990 and now houses the Conservatory. Finally, we pass by the Tourism Center and return to the starting point of our trail.

8. Geological interpretation area

200 meters

In front of a continuous rock wall, we find an interpretive panel about the geology of Tossal, which also helps us understand the geological history of Alicante. To our left, there is a small path, but we continue straight ahead. From here, we enjoy a view of the downtown with the Mediterranean Sea in the background. A few meters further, we turn right next to a triangular planter. We enter an area filled with mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus), saltbush (Salsola oppositifolia), esparto grass (Stipa tenacissima), carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua), and olive trees (Olea europaea), blending with the pine forest—a result of recent reforestation efforts. A short distance ahead, we find another geological interpretation point, where we can observe different types of limestone rocks, such as tufa and travertine, which formed in environments associated with watercourses. Fossilized plant remains can also be seen in these rocks. We now stand behind the IES Jorge Juan school, established on the Tossal in 1953. However, its origins date back to the mid-19th century when it was founded as the Provincial Public Secondary School, beginning its activity in the ‘La Asegurada’ mansion. This marked the start of secondary education in Alicante. Further ahead is the IES Miguel Hernandez, which began as a girls’ school in 1963, initially sharing facilities with IES Jorge Juan for three years. To our right, we ascend some steps leading to a path that splits in two.

7. Park – Bust of Dr. Rico

450 meters

We pass by the restored bust of Dr. Rico, a work of sculptor Daniel Bañuls carved in limestone and installed in the park in 1930, in recognition and honor of this doctor from Alicante who in 1911, thanks to his perseverance and being a councilman, proposed to the Consistory to acquire the Tossal de San Fernando to turn it into a green lung and recreation area for the population. In the adjoining and lower terraces, was installed the old children’s traffic park in which, between the 60s and 80s of the last century, Antonio Pomares, affectionately known as “Sargento Moquillo”, taught road traffic rules to girls and boys who were behind the wheel of a pedal car, tricycle or bicycle. We headed towards the access to the roadway and a few meters away we crossed the crosswalk that links the southwest side of the hill. After some steps, we begin a small ascent in a northerly direction, and at the first crossing we turn in the opposite direction; we continue along a pleasant path with benches, appreciating rows of oleanders (Nerium oleander) on the margins, mulberry trees, pines and

6. East Access – San Fernando Castle

500 meters

Ascending slightly, we approach San Fernando Castle, named after King Ferdinand VII and hastily constructed between 1809 and 1813 to resist Napoleonic invasion. Looking up, we first see the northernmost bastion. We skirt the conical bastion, leaving the ramp to the fortress on our right. Heading northwest, we take the left trail at a fork, which descends into the park.

5. Grove and connecting paths of the Park

250 meters

At the fork, we go down on our left and, shortly after, turn right onto the path that crosses until we reach the vicinity of Calle Ronda del Castillo. In this section of the trail, we find secondary paths that can be easily walked and that connect with the surrounding neighborhoods, unique stairways with sleepers, an elevated walkway, and auxiliary elements that complement the trail.

4. Panoramic views

200 meters

We turn left and in the opposite direction, we descend a ramp until we reach a point that can serve as a viewpoint. The nearest image is that of the neighboring Barrio Campoamor. As a background landscape, and starting a visual tour from northeast to east, we can see some of the mountains of Alicante as the Carrasqueta, the Cabeço d’Or, Aitana, and Puig Campana. Already in the city, we see the Serra Grossa with Cerro el Molinet and then Monte Benacantil with Santa Barbara Castle on its summit. Our route continues south, flanked by mulberry trees (Morus alba) and pines (Pinus halepensis) which, as the route progresses, are also combined with Ficus microcarpa, known as Indian laurel. But, in addition to these trees aligned with the mission of providing shade, in this part of the hillside, we can easily identify other species with a more ornamental function as the tree of love or Judas (Cercis siliquastrum) or whose size attracts attention as the araucaria excelsa or Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla).

3. Area of differentiated routes

400 meters

We walk around the small hut and follow a wooden railing, entering a network of trails that are marked by colored lines on the ground—red, blue, or green—indicating the difficulty or incline of the interconnected paths. At the first crossroads between the main road and our trail, we find a space dominated by a eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). This spot was once home to an ancient spring known as Fuente Santa. In 1260, Alfonso X, known as “the Wise,” invested 500 maravedis “to help bring water from Fuente Santa to your town,” using the existing qanat system. This spring, which supplied water to the city for several centuries, was later renamed Font del Traves and, eventually, Casa Blanca. We continue along the first inner path to the right, heading southeast. Further ahead, we climb a set of stairs, using the hut-transformer tower as a visual reference point.

2. Monte Tossal Park

50 meters

We are at the facilities of the ‘Monte Tossal’ park; inaugurated in the spring of 1995, its morphology simulated the Valencian Community, hence it was called ‘thematic’, divided into its different regions, with a layout of terraces characteristic of traditional crops. The plant species, according to the initial project, were to be representative of those existing in the bioclimatic zones of the autonomous community. All this combined with recreational areas where material was provided for the various games in this park, which was a pioneer in the recreational-educational services of the large parks in Alicante. We continue along the sidewalk heading north, on the right we have the skatepark and ahead we see the football stadium. A few meters further, slightly to the right, we take the transformer booth of the repeaters as a reference.

1. Start

0 meters

We start the route in front of the roundabout, where the monument to the Heroes of the War of Independence is located, at the junction of Calle Catedratico Jaume Mas i Porcel and Calle Escultor Bañuls.

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