Our Philosophy
Walking Gently, Living Locally, Working with Care
At Euro Goat Trekkers, our philosophy is simple:
to work slowly, attentively, and in relationship with the land, the animals, and the people who live here.
Everything we offer — from public walks to longer experiences — grows from this way of being.
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Nestled between the inland mountains of Alicante and the Mediterranean coast lies the valley of Tàrbena — a place shaped by long relationships between people, land, and time.
Set at 560 metres above sea level, the valley has always been a point of passage. Ancient paths link it to neighbouring villages and high mountain passes, while the Coll de Rates opens the landscape toward the sea.
From the surrounding ridges, clear days reveal a horizon stretching as far as Ibiza, a reminder that this inland valley has never been isolated, but quietly connected to wider Mediterranean worlds.
The character of Tàrbena is the result of many layers. Prehistoric traces, Andalusian farming systems, and the remains of Almohad fortifications sit beneath a village shaped by later resettlement.
In the 17th century, families from Mallorca were invited to repopulate the valley, bringing with them agricultural knowledge, customs, and a form of speech that still survives today. The continued use of parlar salat is not a relic, but a living expression of how geography, community, and continuity can protect cultural diversity.
The land here follows natural rhythms rather than fixed schedules. Almond blossom marks the turning of winter into spring; olive harvest gathers people back to the terraces in autumn. Water sources, footpaths, dry-stone walls, and farm buildings speak of careful use rather than extraction. Each generation has adapted the valley without erasing what came before.
Encircled by the Bèrnia and Ferrer mountain ranges, the surrounding landscape supports a rich mosaic of Mediterranean habitats — pine and holm oak forest, wild herbs, cultivated groves, and open pasture. Walking through the valley is an act of observation: noticing changes in light, scent, birdsong, and vegetation, and understanding how human presence can remain in balance with ecological life.
This is a place where heritage is not preserved behind glass, but carried forward through language, work, and daily practice. A valley shaped by responsibility as much as beauty, and by care as much as history.
Not a landscape to be consumed, but one that invites participation, respect, and belonging.
Sustainability as Daily Practice
For us, sustainability is not a concept or a label.
It is something we practise every day.
By walking rather than driving, moving at the pace of animals, and guiding small groups through familiar landscapes, we minimise impact while deepening connection. Our goats, as pack goats in training, play a natural role in land care through intermittent grazing, helping to manage undergrowth and support native vegetation.
When people experience the land slowly and respectfully, care follows naturally.
Rooted in the Local Community
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We live and work here, and our project is woven into the local community.
We actively encourage our guests to:
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eat in local restaurants
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stay in locally owned hotels and guesthouses
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explore nearby villages and markets
By doing so, visitors help support the people who keep this landscape alive — farmers, cooks, hosts, craftspeople, and families whose lives are connected to the land.
Tourism, at its best, strengthens the places it touches.
Shared Knowledge,
Not Extracted Experience
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Our work is shaped by long familiarity with this landscape — its plants, animals, seasons, and stories.
We share local knowledge of:
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flora and fauna
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traditional land use
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mountain paths and histories
Not as information to be consumed, but as something to be carried lightly and respectfully.
An Invitation, Not a Product
Whether someone joins us for a short walk or a longer retreat, our intention is the same:
to create the conditions in which people can slow down, reconnect, and feel part of something larger than themselves.
This philosophy shapes every aspect of our work — quietly, consistently, and with care.
Our Local Recommendations
We’re happy to share a small selection of local restaurants and places to stay that we know and trust — businesses run by people who care deeply about this area.
