Among Orchids and Buntsandstein at Escornalbou Castle

On May 1, 2026, I undertook an improvised circular route of 15.3 km with 579 m of positive elevation gain, taking approximately 3 hours and 55 minutes, starting from l'Argentera, with the aim of visiting Castell d'Escornalbou. The day was characterized by an overcast sky, which limited the usual views over the Baix Camp area.

Despite the lack of clear views, the route offered an excellent opportunity to observe the distinctive geology of the Buntsandstein up close. Furthermore, the path proved to be surprisingly rich from a botanical perspective, with the discovery of several specimens of two orchid species: Limodorum abortivum and Cephalanthera longifolia, which added an extra layer of natural interest to the hike.

The ascent to the Ermita de Santa Bàrbara, part of the monumental castle complex, unfortunately remained incomplete. By just a few minutes, I was unable to access the grounds, as its gates were already closed upon my arrival. This circumstance means I will save the achievement of summiting the highest point of this iconic historical complex for a future occasion, to add it to the FEEC's 100 peaks list.