Ferrata del Ponoig or sleeping lion (Polop)
Spectacular and vertical ferrata with magnificent views over the sea and surrounding mountains, one of the essentials in the province of Alicante.
| Name | Ferrata del Ponoig or Sleeping Lion |
| Province | Alicante |
| Nearest population | Polop |
| Difficulty | K3 (some difficult) |
| Best season | All year around. There are no restrictions. |
| Escape points | No |
| State of the Ferrata | Good (2019) |
| Crashes | No |
| Bridges | No |
| Zip Lines | No |
| Rappel | Yes. Two mandatory. One of 27 meters and another of 34. Needed a 70 meters rope minimum. |
| Other facilities | No |
| Total difference in heights (ferrata + approach + return) | 340 meters |
| Approach time | 30 minutes |
| Ascent time | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Return time | 20 minutes to rappel start point, rappel and 30 minutes back to parking lot. |
| Total route (approach + ferrata + return) | 2700 meters |
| Total height equipped section | 200 meters |
| Remarks | Beware of staying under the rappel because stones easylly fall. As well it happens at the beginning of the ferrata so keep away from the starting point. |
Approach by car :
We drive towards La Nucia, Polop and Callosa d'en Sarria on the CV-70 road. After passing several roundabouts we arrive at roundabout number 1 in La Nucia. Then get towards Polop, Benimantell, El Castell de Guadalest and Alcoy road. After passing 2 more roundabouts and leaving the Polop industrial area on our right handside we will arrive at a third roundabout, and we have to get through the third exit towards an area of chalets and villas. Driving up through the central part between the residential areas and in the highest part the road bends to the right and just when it starts to go down another road that continues ascending, we take it and after 500 meters in strong ascent we arrive at the parking lot and the Ponoig Heliport area.
Approach start ferrata :
From the parking lot you can see the information board with the basic description of the ferrata. The road is quite evident at the beginning so we have to follow some red marks showed all the way, gradually saving the slope with terraces and headeding towards the mountain. The road keeps going to the right handside until we reach the final part where we found the hardest part of the climbing through Stone made terraces to the left and we already arrive at the foot of the ferrata.
Description of the Ferrata : The ferrata begins with a vertical and continuous section that gains height very quickly. It Will provide us a break over 75 meters higher with a horizontal section that leads us to a more flat area where you can take a short break. After the break, we continue through another vertical section that leads us to the left handside and saves an edge with spectacular views so then we are already reaching the final stretch of the ferrata, but again another 50 meter throw takes us to an bendy area and by means of cable with the occasional step they leave us in the path of descent.
Return : Once on the path we will continue to the right handside all the way down, along a well marked path. After a 10 minute stretch the path descends more sharply with the help of steps and with cable to the beginning of the 1st rappel.
The 1st rappel goes over 30 meters and reaches a Little terrace fitting 4-5 people and connects with the 2nd rappel of almost 35 meters long. Once the 2nd rappel is finished leaves us on a wide ledge that we save on the left handside with enough caution because the path is not in good condition and is quite pronounced. Once this first section has been saved we go along the mountain to the right handside heading towards the beginning of the ferrata and we already connect with the way up.
We drive towards La Nucia, Polop and Callosa d'en Sarria on the CV-70 road. After passing several roundabouts we arrive at roundabout number 1 in La Nucia. Then get towards Polop, Benimantell, El Castell de Guadalest and Alcoy road. After passing 2 more roundabouts and leaving the Polop industrial area on our right handside we will arrive at a third roundabout, and we have to get through the third exit towards an area of chalets and villas. Driving up through the central part between the residential areas and in the highest part the road bends to the right and just when it starts to go down another road that continues ascending, we take it and after 500 meters in strong ascent we arrive at the parking lot and the Ponoig Heliport area.
Approach start ferrata :
From the parking lot you can see the information board with the basic description of the ferrata. The road is quite evident at the beginning so we have to follow some red marks showed all the way, gradually saving the slope with terraces and headeding towards the mountain. The road keeps going to the right handside until we reach the final part where we found the hardest part of the climbing through Stone made terraces to the left and we already arrive at the foot of the ferrata.
Description of the Ferrata : The ferrata begins with a vertical and continuous section that gains height very quickly. It Will provide us a break over 75 meters higher with a horizontal section that leads us to a more flat area where you can take a short break. After the break, we continue through another vertical section that leads us to the left handside and saves an edge with spectacular views so then we are already reaching the final stretch of the ferrata, but again another 50 meter throw takes us to an bendy area and by means of cable with the occasional step they leave us in the path of descent.
Return : Once on the path we will continue to the right handside all the way down, along a well marked path. After a 10 minute stretch the path descends more sharply with the help of steps and with cable to the beginning of the 1st rappel.
The 1st rappel goes over 30 meters and reaches a Little terrace fitting 4-5 people and connects with the 2nd rappel of almost 35 meters long. Once the 2nd rappel is finished leaves us on a wide ledge that we save on the left handside with enough caution because the path is not in good condition and is quite pronounced. Once this first section has been saved we go along the mountain to the right handside heading towards the beginning of the ferrata and we already connect with the way up.