Dog-Friendly Parks in Calpe

Spain's smallest natural park (and one of its most iconic), the 332 m Peñón de Ifach limestone monolith has been protected since 1987 by the Generalitat Valenciana. Leashed dogs are permitted on the access path from the visitor centre at the base, with sweeping views over the Calpe bay and the marina. Per Generalitat rules dogs are NOT permitted in the upper tunnel section or on the summit trail, the path stays at the base zone. Free entry, the visitor centre at the bottom posts daily access conditions.

A 4-hectare protected saltpan in the middle of the town, Las Salinas is a Ramsar-listed wetland reserve that hosts resident flamingos year-round and migratory waders. A boardwalk loop circles the saltpan with bird-watching panels, and leashed dogs are welcome on the boardwalk (not on the inner saltpan beds). The contrast of pink flamingos with the Peñón de Ifach in the background is one of the most striking urban birding views in Spain.

The Sierra de Bernia rises to 1,128 m inland from Calpe with a classic 8 km circular hiking loop through pine forest, the Forat de Bernia tunnel-cave and panoramic views to both the Mediterranean and the inland valleys. Leashed dogs are required throughout, the trail has minimal shade above 600 m, and the Forat de Bernia tunnel is a 20 m natural rock passage that requires a head-torch and some agility. Best visited from October to May, too hot in summer.