Ponoig Via Ferrata, in Polop, up to the León Dormido Viewpoint

The Ponoig is the mountain that rises above Polop, at the entrance to the Vall de Guadalest and about 20 minutes from Benidorm. Its summit is called the León Dormido (Sleeping Lion). Its via ferrata climbs about 230 metres almost vertically to that viewpoint, and you come down hanging from a rope.

Closely spaced rungs and little room to rest

The route has two very different sections, both vertical, equipped mostly with rungs. They are very close together, so it impresses more by its verticality than by the difficulty of each move, but the climb is continuous and there are hardly any ledges to stop on. There are no suspension bridges, handrails or hinges: it is wall. It is graded K4; Alicante Aventura rates it medium difficulty and says that with its guides beginners also do it, although ideally you will have done an easier ferrata first.

From the car park to the abseils

1. Meeting. They give you a meeting point at the route's car park, in Polop; the company places it in La Nucía in its listing. You must arrive 15 minutes early, and the guides wait five minutes as a courtesy.
2. Equipment. The guide hands out helmet, harness and lanyard with energy absorber and explains how to move while secured.
3. Climb. The two vertical sections, with the guide beside you.
4. Summit. At the León Dormido you see the Costa Blanca, with Altea, La Nucía and Benidorm in the distance.
5. Descent. There is no return trail: a path across the mountain leads to the abseil area, and you descend with two abseils, of 25 and 35 metres.

In all it is about four hours.

Who can go and what to bring

From age 14, in good physical shape and without fear of heights; not for pregnant women. Bring sports shoes, comfortable clothes for the season, cycling gloves (the company recommends them and does not include them), sun protection, at least a litre and a half of water and something light to eat. A small rucksack is optional.

Alicante Aventura's price and conditions

€55 per person. It includes the technical guide, equipment, accident and civil liability insurance and photos, which arrive by a WhatsApp link that is deleted after a month: download them soon. It does not include transport. Book online or by phone and WhatsApp on 622 197 848; for groups of more than ten, by phone only. Before starting everyone signs a consent form, and anyone who does not sign gets no refund. If you arrive late without having given 24 hours' notice, you lose your place with no refund or change. Up to 48 hours before they refund the amount or change the date; if the company cancels because of weather or safety, it refunds everything. It does not publish a season, so confirm dates when you book.

With the morning on the wall, the afternoon can be relaxed: head up the CV-70 to the Castell for the San José tunnel, or go down to cool off at Les Fonts de l'Algar.