This February, I visited Alicante, Spain, and I wanted to add a day trip into the mountains further inland. I had seen a few photos of the Pasarela de Relleu wooden footbridge, and it looked incredible. The entire walkway hangs suspended against the cliffside through a picturesque rocky gorge. It truly looked so cool and now I can say it is even better in person!

I struggled to find information about the hike before visiting, so I put together this guide with everything I wish I had known before hiking Pasarela de Relleu. 

There are two route options for the Pasarela de Relleu hike. Pick the route that suits your availability and fitness level. 

Pasarela de Relleu located a bit inland from the city of Alicante in Spain. The trail starts near the small town of Relleu, about 40 km northwest of Alicante, which makes it an easy day trip. Despite its short distance from the city, the landscape feels very different with the rocky gorges and mountain views.

Car

Driving is the easiest way to reach Pasarela de Relleu from Alicante. The trip takes about an hour, depending on traffic. If you plan on doing option A where you start the hike in the town of Relleu, park at the town hall car park. If you are hiking option B, there is a small dirt car park close to the trailhead.

Public Transportation

Unfortunately, there are no direct public transport options from Alicante to Relleu. Your best bet is to take a train to Vila Joiosa, then grab a taxi the rest of the way. Alternatively, you can book a small group guided tour from Alicante. Most tours pick you up from the airport or the city center and drive you straight to the trailhead.

You can hike Pasarela de Relleu all year round, but each season comes with its trade offs. Spring and summer can get quite hot, which can be tough with the exposed trail. During these months brings the biggest crowds, especially on weekends and public holidays, which means the footbridge can get crowded since it is quite narrow. Always book your tickets in advance if travelling during the spring or summer.  

Autumn and winter bring milder temperatures, which makes the walk far more comfortable. That said, the footbridge closes more often during the winter due to storms, so keep an eye on the forecast. Since there are fewer hikers in winter, you can usually wait until the day before to book to make sure the weather is good. I visited in February and booked my ticket 1 day in advance and was able to get the timeslot we wanted.

The Pasarela de Relleu footbridge opens daily from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm, with the last entry at 6:00 pm. Tickets cost €3.50 per person to enter. You can book online in advance, or pay by cash or card once you arrive. I always recommend booking online, especially if you plan to hike on a weekend or in the summer.

1. You can only reach the footbridge on foot

When I visited in February, I did not realise that you had to walk about 1.5 km before you reach the start of the footbridge walkway. This information is crucial because the tickets for the footbridge have a timed entry, meaning you need to account for the time it takes to walk to the ticket booth. 

2. Skip if heights make you nervous

I know this might be obvious, but this footbridge is not for the faint of heart. The photos made it look super chill, but I was honestly a bit nervous the entire time; and I don’t even mind heights!

The wooden walkway is suspended roughly 60 metres (197 feet) above the riverbed at its highest point, then gradually descends to about 20 metres (65 feet). It is quite narrow and there is a large gap between each wood plank, so you can see right down to the bottom of the gorge. If you struggle with heights or vertigo, I would skip this hike. 

3. Your ticket comes with a strict timeslot

Only 20 people can enter the footbridge every 15 minutes. This limit is strictly enforced due to safety reasons. If you book in advance (which I recommend), then you will have a 15 minute timeslot to enter. If you arrive more than 5 minutes late, you will need to wait for the next available slot.

Remember that the walk to the trailhead takes about 30 minutes, so start hiking well before your booked time. If you take the longer route from Relleu, allow around 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the ticket booth.

4. A hairnet and helmet are mandatory

When you validate your ticket, a staff member will give you a hairnet and helmet to wear during your hike. These are mandatory safety precautions in case of a rock fall. After the end of the hike, return the helmet to the ticket booth. 

5. Young children not recommended

On the website, it states that children under 5 are not recommended and babies must be in a secure carrier. Honestly, I would set the minimum age closer to 12, since the footbridge has no real barriers and is narrow. 

6. Pets are not allowed

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the footbridge due to safety reasons. You can carry small pets in a backpack carrier, but they are not allowed to walk on the wooded walkway.

7. Closed toe shoes are mandatory

Wear sturdy tennis shoes or hiking boots. Sandals, flip flops or similar footwear are not allowed. Staff will deny entry if you have inappropriate footwear. 

8. Eating and drinking are not allowed

You cannot drink or eat while walking on the footbridge. Make sure you fuel up before you start.

9. There are no bathrooms

This might be obvious, but there are no bathrooms on this trail. I expected there to be a toilet near the ticket booth, but there is not. Make sure you use the toilet before you start the hike.

Between June and September, there is an official guided tour that combines the village of Relleu with the footbridge walkway. The tour costs €10 per person and departs daily at 9:30 am.

You will wander the cobbled streets of Relleu and visit a traditional washhouse and several other historic buildings, and sample local products. From there, a guide leads you through the ethnographic museum, where you can see what life was like in Relleu over the centuries.

After exploring Relleu, the tour heads down to the reservoir and footbridge, where your guide teaches about the local flora, fauna, and the history of the reservoir itself. This tour price includes your footbridge entry, so you do not need a separate ticket. The full experience runs about 4 to 5 hours, and you must book it in advance online.

Option B: Short Out and Back

If you choose Option A, you will follow the road down from the Relleu town hall to the trailhead. Option B starts at the car park right next to the trailhead. At the trailhead is a large sign marking the official start of the trail to the reservoir.

The sign explains a little about the areas and includes a map. Take a photo just in case you need the map. You can also use the AllTrails app to guide you along the route. There are clear trail markers the entire way, and each one shows the distance and time left to the footbridge ticket booth.

From the trailhead, you will follow a dirt path leading you down toward the Relleu reservoir. It was constructed back in the 17th century, which makes it one of the oldest reservoirs in Spain. Farmers originally used it for agricultural purposes, but today it is mostly used as a vital water source for local wildlife and surrounding vegetation to thrive.

When we visited in February, there was almost no water in the reservoir. However, we were told that after a heavy rainfall it transforms into a large lake. The trail goes right along the edge, so it would be really beautiful to see when it is filled. As you pass the reservoir, look to your left for a small stone building which is the old gatekeepers hut. 

After a short climb up a small hill you will see a wooden ticket booth. This wooden building marks the start of the boardwalk portion of the trail. Remember that food and drinks are not allowed on the footbridge itself, so make sure to fuel up before continuing. There is a picnic table behind the booth where you can take a break or eat before you continue the trail. 

At the booth, you will show your reservation or purchase tickets if you did not book in advance. They take card or cash. I recommend booking your tickets online in advance to guarantee your preferred time slot. The attendant will hand you a hairnet and helmet, and you must wear both on the footbridge portion of the hike.

Once you put on your hairnet and helmet, you will cross a small wooden bridge then down some craggy rocks to a viewing platform. There are three viewing platforms on this route, one at the start, the middle, and the end. Each has a glass floor so that you can see through to the bottom of the gorge.

The angle here gives you a beautiful view of the reservoir and gorge. You can also see the footbridge route stretching out ahead of you. I will say that the angle is not great for selfies, but it makes a good photo spot of someone at the of the walkway.

Once you build up the courage, step onto the wooden footbridge and begin your descent. The walkway winds gradually through the gorge across a series of connected stairs.

Take your time and enjoy the views along the way. Keep in mind that other hikers will pass you from the opposite direction, since this route is out-and-back.

The walkway ends at one last viewing platform, and it is one of the most incredible photo spots of the entire trail. From here, you get sweeping views of the gorge, along with a clear look back at the walkway climbing above you.

Take a few minutes to enjoy the scenery and snap your photos. Afterward, head back up through the gorge and return to the ticket booth, following the same path all the way back to the trailhead.

How hard is the Pasarela de Relleu hike?

If you are hiking Option A which starts from Relleu, I would consider it a moderate hike. This is mainly due to the distance and elevation gain. If you are hiking Option B, which starts closer to the reservoir, then I would consider it an easy walk. There are a few hills, but nothing too big.

The footbridge itself is not physically difficult, but it feels more intimidating than it looks in photos. I do not usually struggle with heights, but I definitely got nervous when I stopped on the walkway.

How long is the Pasarela de Relleu trail?

The footbridge section, where you walk along the suspended wooden planks over the reservoir, is less than 1 kilometre. However, you have to walk at least 30 minutes to get to the start of the footbridge section.

You can choose two trail routes: Option A which starts in the town of Relleu and is 9.3 km (5.8 miles) roundtrip and takes about 2.5-3 hours, or Option B which is 3.7 km (2.3 miles) round trip and takes about 1.5 hours to complete. 

Is Pasarela de Relleu safe for children?

For the footbridge section of the hike, the official website allows children older than 5 and babies if they are in a secure carrier. I would not recommend taking children under 12. The walkway is narrow with no guardrails, and the wooden planks for large gaps between each board. It is not very kid friendly.  

Is there parking at Pasarela de Relleu?

Yes, there is a small car park at the Relleu town hall for hikers doing the full loop (Option A). Additionally, there is a dirt car park closer to the reservoir where you can park if you are doing the shorter route (Option B). 

Is Pasarela de Relleu open all year?

Yes, the trail stays open all year, seven days a week. That said, the footbridge closes during extreme weather, including heavy rain or high winds, so keep this in mind while planning. I visited during the first week of February and the weather was fantastic. 

Are pets allowed on the trail?

No pets are allowed to walk on the wood footbridge, but welcome on the rest of the trail. If you have a pet backpack carrier, you can bring your small animal as long as it stays in the carrier the entire time. When I visited, I saw one hiker leave their dog tied to a pole at the ticket booth while they went on the footbridge, so I guess that is also an option.

What should you pack for the Pasarela de Relleu hike?

Make sure to wear and pack plenty of sunscreen, since the trail has almost no shade. Bring extra water too, especially if you hike during the hot summer months. Closed toe shoes are mandatory for the footbridge, so do not wear sandals or flip flops. I would also pack a snack to eat before or after you do the wooden footbridge section.

Do You Need a Permit or Booking for Pasarela de Relleu?

You do not need a permit to hike Pasarela de Relleu. You do, however, need a ticket with a timed booking for the footbridge section. I strongly recommend reserving the ticket online in advance, especially during peak season. Only 20 people are allowed on the footbridge every 15 minutes. The limited space means ideal time slots sell out quickly.

Looking for more Spain inspiration? You may also enjoy these posts:

How to Spend 1 Day in Alicante

7 Easy Day Trips from Alicante (Public Transport & Car Options)

3 Best Day Hikes in Picos De Europa National Park, Spain