Location and surroundings
Pina belongs to the broad chain of the Iberian Peninsula, within the Iberian System, then Sistema Iberico Este, and finally Serra d'Espadà. It lies in Spain, in the Valencian Community, specifically in l'Alt Palància and the municipality of Pina de Montalgrao. Within its range it ranks first by elevation, and the terrain around it is a mix of ridges, wooded slopes and open high ground typical of this part of eastern Spain.
Neighbouring peaks
- Peñaescabia — 1,331 m, 15.5 km SW
- Alto de Gayubar — 1,441 m, 16.2 km W
- Alto del Espino — 1,411 m, 16.5 km W
- Cerro Montero — 1,456 m, 16.8 km W
- Cerro Pena — 1,407 m, 17.2 km W
- Cerro del Obrero — 1,415 m, 17.5 km SW
- Cerro del Pino — 1,421 m, 17.5 km SW
- Puntal del Pozo Yuste — 1,465 m, 17.6 km W
The nearest higher peak is Alto de Gayubar, 16.2 km to the west. Several nearby summits are higher than Pina, so it is an important local high point but not the tallest mountain in the wider area.
The view from the summit
Within 25 km, the highest peaks are Cabezo la Cruz at 1,708 m, 24.9 km north; Bandera at 1,680 m, 23.9 km west; Retamar at 1,627 m, 21.3 km southwest; Covata at 1,623 m, 22.3 km west; El Alto de la Churumbela at 1,623 m, 23.8 km west; and Erica Empedrada at 1,615 m, 20.4 km southwest. These are the main higher landmarks in the wider view from Pina.
The range
Pina is part of Serra d'Espadà, whose highest peak is the range high point itself. The range contains 329 named peaks, and Pina is the highest of them. In the wider mountain hierarchy it sits inside the Iberian Peninsula, the Iberian System and Sistema Iberico Este. For visitors, that means Pina is a reference summit for the range rather than just another hill on the edge of it.
Access and starting points
The nearest settlement is Pina de Montalgrao, 2.4 km west of the summit. Other nearby villages are Villanueva de Viver, 3.8 km northwest, and Fuente la Reina, 4.3 km northeast. On and around the summit, Santa Barbara 1400m is mapped as a viewpoint just 10 m east of the top, and La Pimpollada picnic site lies 980 m west. Fuente Marrionda spring is 400 m north.
A rough walking estimate from Pina de Montalgrao is about 3.1 km on foot with 370 m of ascent, taking roughly 60–90 minutes. The real route may be longer depending on the path chosen and ground conditions.
Climate and weather
These are estimates from NASA POWER climate data adjusted to summit height. The warmest month at the summit is July, at about 20 °C, and the coldest is January, at about 4 °C. Mean temperatures stay above freezing in every month. The surrounding area receives about 400 mm of precipitation a year, with September the wettest month at about 50 mm and July the driest at about 15 mm.
In this part of Spain, summer heat, dry spells and sudden storms are the main weather concerns, while winter can bring cold, wind and occasional icy patches on exposed ground.
Best time to visit
Because the summit stays above freezing on average all year, Pina can be visited in most seasons. The drier part of the year is around July, while late summer and early autumn are wetter, with September the peak month for rainfall. For walking, spring and autumn are usually the most comfortable periods in this kind of Mediterranean mountain terrain, with less heat stress than midsummer and less cold than winter.
Nature and wildlife
The slopes of Serra d'Espadà are typical of eastern Spanish uplands, with pine woodland, scrub, rocky ground and open ridges. At this elevation, vegetation is shaped by dry summers and relatively mild winters, so hikers can expect a mix of forested sections and exposed stretches. Wildlife in the region commonly includes birds of prey, small mammals and reptiles adapted to warm, rocky terrain, especially on quieter slopes away from villages and roads.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain like Pina, a certified guide is usually not essential for fit hikers in stable weather, but it can be useful for first-time visitors, poor visibility, winter conditions or anyone combining the climb with a longer ridge walk. In Spain, the national guide body is the Spanish Mountain Guides Association (Asociación Española de Guías de Montaña, an IFMGA/UIAGM member), and the national federation is the Spanish Federation of Mountain Sports and Climbing (FEDME).
As examples of established guiding companies working in the mountains of Spain, Spanish Highs operates in Granada and the Sierra Nevada. A guided day usually includes route-finding, pacing, safety decisions and local conditions advice; the cost depends on the number of days, group size, equipment and whether extra nights are involved.
Safety and preparation
Pina is not a high alpine summit, but it still asks for normal mountain preparation: sturdy footwear, water, sun protection and a plan for changing weather. The terrain can be dry and exposed, so heat and dehydration matter in summer, while wind and poor visibility can make navigation harder on ridges. In Spain, the mountain rescue emergency number is 112, which reaches the emergency services through any available network.
Interesting facts
Pina is the highest of the 329 named peaks in Serra d'Espadà. Its nearest higher peak is Alto de Gayubar, 16.2 km away to the west. The mountain also has a summit viewpoint mapped as Santa Barbara 1400m just east of the top, which helps mark the high point on the ground. In the wider range, Pina is a reference summit rather than a satellite peak.
FAQ
How high is Pina? Pina rises to 1,404 m.
Where is Pina? It is in Serra d'Espadà, in l'Alt Palància, Valencian Community, Spain, near Pina de Montalgrao.
Is Pina the highest mountain in Serra d'Espadà? Yes. It is the highest of the range’s 329 named peaks and the range high point.
What are the nearest peaks to Pina? The closest listed neighbours are Peñaescabia, Alto de Gayubar, Alto del Espino, Cerro Montero and Cerro Pena, all to the southwest or west.
Is there water on the way to Pina? Fuente Marrionda spring is mapped 400 m north of the summit. Even so, carry enough water for the climb; for a day outing, 1.5-3 litres is a sensible range depending on heat and effort.
Are there huts on Pina? OpenStreetMap shows no hut or shelter within 2 km of the top, so hikers usually plan the ascent as a day trip or carry their own tent.
How long does it take to walk up Pina? From Pina de Montalgrao, the rough estimate is about 60–90 minutes for 3.1 km on foot and 370 m of ascent. It is only an estimate; the real path may be longer.
Is mobile phone coverage likely on Pina? There are 4 mapped communication masts within 10 km, with the nearest 5.1 km southwest. On an open summit a signal is likely, but it can fail in valleys or behind ridges. Always download maps before setting out, and remember that 112 works over any available network.