Costa Blanca Coastal Trail Retains Blue Trail Award for 2026
One of the Costa Blanca’s most popular coastal walking routes, the Camino al Faro de l’Albir, has once again secured Spain’s Blue Trail Award (Sendero Azul) for 2026, recognising its commitment to conservation, accessibility, and sustainable tourism.
The award is granted by the Asociación de Educación Ambiental y del Consumidor (ADEAC) to walking routes that combine environmental protection with public enjoyment. The official presentation ceremony will take place on 6 March at the Castillo de Cullera, on Spain’s Mediterranean coast.
A walk for all abilities, the Camino al Faro de l’Albir has been part of Spain’s national Blue Trail network since 2013. The route covers just 2.5 kilometres, starting at Racó de l’Albir beach and ending at the lighthouse, passing through the Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada—the Valencian Community’s first maritime-terrestrial natural park, which protects more than 5,500 hectares of coastline and seabed.
Popular with both residents and visitors, the trail is the second-most-visited route in the regional network of protected natural spaces. Its fully accessible design makes it suitable for walkers with reduced mobility, families with pushchairs, and older visitors—an increasingly important feature for inclusive outdoor tourism.
In 2025, an estimated 314,608 people used the route. As visitor numbers are only recorded during staffed hours at the information point, the actual figure is believed to be significantly higher.
The trail offers sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea, the dramatic cliffs of Serra Gelada and the secluded coves of Metge and Mina. Alongside its natural appeal, the route also showcases the area’s long history, with remains of Phoenician-era mines later worked by the Romans to extract ochre, a historic water cistern, and the coastal watchtower known as Torre Bombarda.
At the end of the route stands the Lighthouse Interpretation Centre, opened in 2011 by the Ajuntament de l’Alfàs del Pi. The centre explores the lives of former lighthouse keepers and highlights the rich plant and animal life of the surrounding natural park.
Luis Miguel Morant, Councillor for Tourism and the Environment, welcomed the renewal of the award, describing it as recognition of “the continuous work carried out by the local authority to protect and promote our natural and cultural heritage”.
He stressed that the Camino al Faro de l’Albir “is much more than a walking route—it demonstrates how environmental protection can go hand in hand with responsible public access, universal accessibility and environmental education”. According to Morant, the award reinforces the municipality’s commitment to a sustainable tourism model that respects the environment while supporting the local economy.
L’Alfàs del Pi currently holds eight environmental distinctions, including Blue Flags, Blue Trails and Blue Centres, placing it among Spain’s most environmentally responsible tourist destinations. The town is recognised as the European municipality with the highest number of Blue Centres, reflecting years of investment in restoring unused sites, rehabilitating historic buildings, and creating alternative visitor routes within the Serra Gelada Natural Park.
Together with Racó de l’Albir beach and the Camino al Faro, these facilities combine conservation with educational and cultural uses—an approach increasingly valued by visitors seeking responsible travel options.
The 2026 Blue Trails awards were decided by a panel of 30 researchers, academics and specialists in fields including environmental management, public health, tourism, accessibility and sport, coordinated by ADEAC-FEE.
This year’s programme reached record levels, with more than 1,200 kilometres of recognised trails across Spain. Nearly 200 applications were submitted by 150 municipalities from 24 provinces in 12 autonomous communities, as well as the autonomous city of Melilla—highlighting the growing emphasis on well-managed walking routes as part of Spain’s sustainable tourism strategy.
