UKC

Climbs 549
Rocktype Limestone
Altitude 549m a.s.l
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View from Sella, Costa Blanca. © jim jones

Crag features

Sella remains the most popular area in the Costa Blanca. There is enough climbing to spend a whole week's holiday here, although other areas are worth a visit too! The most popular section is the long ridge in the centre of the valley which has a superb series of south-facing walls and buttresses, however, if you stray from the crowds, you may be rewarded with some peace and solitude. In hot weather the north-facing Pared de Rosalía is well-worth considering, with its fine long routes in the mid and harder grades. Further along the road from the main area is the Mecca for hard climbers, called the Hidden Valley, and you can't really miss the final jewel in the crown - The Divino sits majestically above everything and is worth attention from all those who demand a bit more from their climbing.

The routes in the main area tend to be fingery and technical on single-pitch slabs and low-angled walls. All the routes are well bolted. On the Pared de Rosalía it is worth getting your rack out, although there are some fully bolted multi-pitch outings here as well. In the Hidden Valley you will find yourself grappling with tufas and pockets on wild and steep walls, but it is only really worth considering if you lead 7a or above. The Divino has mainly long traditional routes, but the lower sections do contain some sport routes albeit mostly in the harder grades.

It is usually possible to find sun or shade when required, although it is rather less of a winter-sun venue than you might think, since the tall surrounding walls tend to keep the low sun off except in the middle of the day. Most of the crags are well sheltered except for the Pared de Rosalía and the Divino which should be treated as mountain crags. The main area dries quickly after rain. If it is raining, most of the Hidden Valley crags will stay dry. However, they will seep after prolonged spells of bad weather.

Approach notes

Sella is situated about 20km inland from Villajoyosa on the AP-7 motorway.

To reach it from the north - Leave the AP-7 at junction 65a (Terra Mitica) or 65 (Benidorm) and follow signs for Terra Mitica and then Finestrat. Drive around Finestrat, always following signs to Sella, and continue to a T-junction. Turn right, and 5km of twisty roads lead to the outskirts of Sella. Just before entering the village, turn right down a short straight road and turn right again at the end of this and drive past the cemetery. Follow this track for 4km to the refuge and crags.

From the south - Turn off the AP-7 at junction 66 (Villajoyosa) and head inland following signs to Sella to join the above description at the T-junction 5km before Sella village. This approach is the fastest from either direction as it involves the least driving on minor roads.

No Access Issues

The access road work (jan-march 2023) is complete. The road is now paved from the refuge, past La Moleta, all the way to Wildside. A lowerable barrier and signs have been installed just before the refuge (indicating that access is only for residents and emergency vehicles). However, the barrier has not been lowered since it was installed (as of April 4th 2023), and there are no indications yet that access will be stopped completely. (for instance, the normal temporary signs have been taped to the trees forbidding camping/caravans during easter week)

Doggy Guantanamo - The road that turns left after the sunny side parking (and goes up past the new sectors 'New Years Day' / 'Doggy Guantanamo' / etc) remains private, and unpaved. The owners of the house at 'Doggy Guantanamo' ask you to park in the normal sunny side parking, and walk up. Please don't litter (or worse).

Wildside - The owner of the house at wildside has asked that cars not park on the main road opposite his entrance, or blocking the road. The roadworks have accidentally created multiple new parking stops further back towards Sella - please use one of those and walk the extra 2 minutes.

Road from refuge to parking below crags is closed until 2023. Instead, park considerately on the "main" road and walk along the track, avoiding various aggregate and cement lorries. You may be questioned by a confused site foreman, but no actual access restrictions.
OliverR17 - 14/Nov/22
Last december 7, I forget mi climbing shoes (blue Five Ten) near the bottom of Seventh Samurai route, at Ojo de Odra sector, please contact me if you find it, Thanks
Dave Sr - 09/Dec/13
Good topo for Wild Side here http://www.freewebs.com/costablancarock/topos/Topo_SellaWildside.pdf
Kafoozalem - 04/Mar/12
went here on holiday for a week,and must say amazing climbing and was not very busy,the guys at the local refuge were quality
bobtheclimber - 19/May/11
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