Les Rotes – Torre del Gerro

Pleasant walk along the seashore, bordering the rocky coast of Les Rotes.

It is a very frequented place, shared with motor vehicles in some sections. As for the road surface we find a tiled walkway, asphalt, or dirt road, paved road, according to sections.

Route Data

Starting point : South breakwater traffic circle.
Distance : 5km (one way). Linear route
Slope : Approx. + 125-140 m (from shore to tower)
Terrain : Mixture of tiled boardwalk, asphalt sections, dirt road and cobblestone; last section already sloping uphill to the tower.
Duration : Walking: 1h40'. Bike: 40'.
Difficulty : Moderate

Accessibility

Suitable for wheelchairs on the Marineta Cassiana promenade. You can continue along stretches of asphalt, dirt and cobblestone up to the Sendra restaurant.
Attractions

– Walk along the beach of Marineta Cassiana, with warm and shallow waters.

– Bathing area adapted in summer, with several services for people with limited mobility.

We can find rocky coves with whimsical compositions that offer pleasant contrasts of colors. It is easy to see seabirds, such as seagulls and cormorants, sitting on rocky islets.

The seabed is also home to a wealth of flora and fauna that justified its declaration as a Marine Reserve of Cape Sant Antoni.

There are three areas declared Microreserves in Les Rotes because they are home to endemic plants, which only grow in very specific points.

The Gerro watchtower can be seen from the promenade, indicating the end point of the route. From the tower there is an excellent panoramic view of the bay of Dénia, the coast of Les Rotes and the cape of Sant Antoni.
The Torre del Gerro

This tower, 13.5 m high, is part of the network of fortifications erected along the coast in the 16th century to prevent the constant incursions of Barbary pirates.

The circular tower of truncated cone shape has two superimposed bodies, the lower one acting as a buttress of the structure. The access door to its interior is elevated from the base. Two machicolations defend the two access doors. It emphasizes the coat of arms of Carlos V, with 4 bars, crown of the old Kingdom of Valencia and the double-headed eagle of the Austria. In the interior the different levels are communicated by an opening, which is accessed by means of a mobile staircase or simple rope.

There is evidence of another tower located in the current lighthouse of Sant Antoni, in addition to the aforementioned tower of L’Almadrava (Route 2). The towers had visual communication, although they also used other means, such as signals with mirrors, fire, etc. They had guards who were in charge of the custody of the towers, as well as of eventual transfers to other towers or citadels in case of danger.