Roman aqueduct of Peña Cortada
A 1st-century Roman aqueduct with tunnels cut into the rock, great arches and a vertical cut through the mountain that gives it its name, between Chelva and Calles.
| 13.9 km | circular on the PR-CV 92 from Chelva · 4 h 35 · +550 m |
| ~16 km | by car from Chulilla to Calles |
| 1st century | when the aqueduct was built, with more than 28 km of remains uncovered |
| Family-friendly | the short out-and-back variant from Calles |
Roman engineering in the mountains
The aqueduct carried water through tunnels cut into the rock and bridges over the ravines. Its most famous spot is the vertical cut through the mountain, the Peña Cortada; just after it is the bridge over the Cueva del Gato ravine, the most spectacular on the route.
There are two ways to see it: the PR-CV 92 circular route from Chelva, or the more direct family variant from Calles.
Step by step
- Start in Calles. From the entrance to the village, by the bridge, go down about 100 m along the path running beside the river.
- Mill slope and Santa Quiteria hermitage. Continue along the parallel street and the tarmac track that passes under the CV-35 viaduct.
- Rambla de Alcotas. You cross it up to three times; after the third, a short climb leads to the picnic area at the Torre Castro spring.
- Stone steps and walkway. To the left, up to the rambla viewpoint, along a path with fences and chains.
- Tunnels and channels. From the information board, follow them to the great cut through the mountain.
- Cueva del Gato bridge. On the other side of the cut. If you like, another 1 km takes you to the remains of the Rambla de Alcotas bridge. Return the same way.
Good to know
- Take care: there are high sections without railings and narrow tunnels; keep an eye on children.
- Footwear and water: on the route from Chelva you have to cross the river: wear shoes that can get wet and bring enough water.
- Combine it: with Chelva’s Ruta del Agua, on the same day.
More routes from Chulilla
Las Cuevas – La Peñeta
The shortest walk, round the back of the castle, to the best viewpoint over the valley.
1.1 km · SL-CV 72
La Muela and La Cruz viewpoint
Climb to the ridge of La Muela via the Lebrillico spring.
3.5 km · SL-CV 71
The rock paintings
Hunting and dancing scenes thousands of years old, a World Heritage Site.
Falfiguera ravine
El Frailecico and its caves
A Moorish watchtower, a cave once used as a livestock pen and a waterfall that only appears after rain.
~8 km · moderate to hard
Up to the castle
The Arab fortress watching over the village and the canyon from the top of the crag.
In the village
Las Toscas
Tufa waterfalls and pools on the River Sot, in the neighbouring village of Sot de Chera.
~19 km by car
Sleep right by the trail
Our accommodation is in the centre of the village: you can walk to almost every route.
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Apartment La Muela 1
200 m from the main car park
- 5 guests
- 2 bedrooms
- 1 bathroom
- 65 m²
Two bedrooms with two beds each, a living-dining room open to the kitchen and a work corner with good Wi-Fi.
from 90 € / nightSunday to Thursday · 2-night minimum
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Apartment La Muela 2
Balcony with views of the Turia canyon
- 5 guests
- 2 bedrooms
- 1 bathroom
- 65 m²
Second floor with a balcony over the Turia canyon, two bedrooms, a living room and an equipped kitchen.
from 90 € / nightSunday to Thursday · 2-night minimum
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Apartment La Muela 3
Private terrace with views of the castle and the canyon
- 3 guests
- 1 bedroom
- 1 bathroom
- 55 m²
Third floor with a private terrace and views of the castle and the canyon, next to the main car park.
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Rural cottage La Cambreta
Terrace with castle views
- 3 guests
- 1 bedroom
- 1 bathroom
- 55 m²
A former farm storehouse restored in 2020: two small floors and a terrace facing the castle.
