Hiking

A wide range of attractions and activities lie with easy reach. The area is well known for its outstanding natural beauty. You will find a wide range of landscapes from, canyons, river valleys, mountains, natural pools and pasture.

On first view, you will be struck by Chulilla’s architechture, narrow streets and typical white houses of a Spanish traditional village. You will find superb reminders of its past, such as its historic Castle, at the top of the village, the Church built in the XVI Century, as well as the recently discovered pre-historic paintings.

On your arrival in the apartment, you will find a visitors information pack giving more details on the main activities and attractions in the area.

1. Local Path: Las Cuevas – La Peñeta

It is the shortest path in the town, it has a length of 1km, an approximate duration of 30 min., and a low difficulty.

Despite being the shortest, it is one of the most colorful, since it runs behind the castle's cliff, passing through the two most interesting viewpoints of Chulilla, the one located on "Las Cuevas" street and "La Peñeta "at the end of the Calle Mayor.

The route shows us in just 1 km., the spectacular nature of the surroundings closest to Chulilla; the beginnings of the Turia river gorges and also e the valley of the Turia.

Halfway through the route, there is a rockfall from the mountain. They are gigantic rocks, stacked one on top of another, the path goes through them. You have to be careful because the ravine is close. Before arriving at the stones you will see on the left the so-called "Las Cuevas", which in the past were used by people from town as a meeting point on rainy days. Being an area protected from storms, it was common for them to be used for other jobs such repairing baskess or making ropes with local plants such as “esparto”.

In the rock of the mountain you can see numerous climbing routes. This area known as "Las Cuevas" was one of the first to be climbed in Chulilla back in the 70s and 80s. It has now been re-equipped in its entirety and is still widely used by climbers.

Down in the river, you can see the orchards of "TrasCastillo", they are the oldest orchards of Chulilla, the ditch network was originally made by the Arabs and then developed until getting to irrigate the entire Chulilla Valley.

At the end of the path, you will reach the viewpoint of La Peñeta. from there, you can see the entire valley of the Turia River, the point where the Canyon ends. In the background you can see a population center, it is actually a neighborhood of Chulilla known as La Ermita, which is the hermitage of Santa Barbara, Patron Saint of Chulilla and was built in the twentieth century.

From the viewpoint of La Peñeta you can identify a very populated area of poplars trees, among them is the natural pool of “Las Mulas”, a small natural pool in which it is possible to bathe in the hot months, it is suitable for children.

You can continue your itinerary down the Calle Mayor until you reach the square or from the viewpoint to visit the Castle or the Church up Buenavista Street.

2. Local Path: El Frailecico – Cuevas del Gollizno y del Tesoro

It has a length of about 6.5km; a duration of 2h 30min approximately, and a medium-high difficulty.

This path begins at the Plaza de La Baronía, and in its first part we will have to wander to the lower area of town looking for Turia Street and reaching the river. Once there, after crossing the bridge, we continue along the path until we reach the foot of the mountain.
From there, the path ascends to the hill of El Frailecico. In this area, there was a Muslim watchtower centuries ago and where there is still a well of that time.

Arrived at the top of the Frailecico we can see beautiful views of the Castle and the Turia River as well as the town of Chulilla.

We will continue our journey down the ravine until we reach the Gollisno cave. In this cave, livestock used to be kept in the past. On the upper part you can see spots on the rock, this is due to the water currents that come down from the mountain and that generate a beautiful waterfall when there are storms of rain. Normally, it needs to rain at least 48 hours for the waterfall to form.

The Treasure cave is a little higher. This cave has a complicated access and it is not advisable to enter it without caving material, although it must be said that your visit has no special interest. From there we return along the path again to the lower part of the town, to begin the ascent through the streets to the Plaza de la Baronía.

3. Path: PR-76 Chulilla - Gestalgar

This path begins at the Plaza de la Baronía of Chulilla, after crossing the town for its steep streets, you will descend to the river following the asphalt road. Before crossing for the first time you leave, on the left side, the ruins of an old washing place. Once you are across the bridge, the route passes by a farm road which ascends slightly providing an extraordinary view of the orchard of the Turia. Continue about 600 meters to a bend in the road, where you cross the ravine of Falfiguera. Here, you will enjoy yourself with the spectacular cuts that the water has carved into the rock. Now, you reach La Fuente de la Rinconá, where you will provide water for the whole trip, relishing the tour along the river landscape, more abundant in this area, offers a large meander. Across the river is the Fuencaliente Spa, famous for its thermal springs of medicinal - mineral interest. Continuing the route bordering the river Turia and leaving, on the left side, an ancient channel through which passes some stretches of the path.

Later on, you arrive to the estuary of the Sot river on the right bank, and about 200 meters, it is the Corindón, an old factory emery stone ruined by the flood of 57, and to which came the before mentioned channel. In this region, there are some examples of unnusual maritime pine. From this point, you can admire, from the right side of the river, the remains of a Roman aqueduct, and on the left, some fanciful shapes of the rock known locally as Picarchos.

You may enjoy the river views, very crooked in this area, providing to hikers. Continuing the path through low Mediteranean bushes, you will reach the Hondo Ravine, where there is a change in vegetation, being a shady area. Once you have passed the ravine, you will observe that the path is getting encased in a spectacular gorge that the Turia has dug into the rock and runs parallel to the wall. You will walk in a road during some minutes to arrive to Peña María, located in Gestalgar, passing through an ancient ruined by the flood. This route continues along the river and some orchards, until you reach the town of Gestalgar, where you can visit both the old town and its castle.

4. Local Path: El Charco Azul

This is a 6 km circular track with super views, an area of outstanding natural beauty, opportunities for swimming in a beautiful natural site scenery.

It is a quite easy and well signed path. The trail is not overly challenging, it’s particulary suitable for families with children. You will walk along the Turia river Canyon. Even though it is a Mediterranean river and water scarces, there are several places for swimming.

The first leg of the journey would take you from the main square of the village to the tranquil beauty of “El Charco Azul”.

As you leave town, you will find yourself walking between small fields of carob trees (algarrobos), a traditional Mediterranean crop. Next, as you head towards the Turia river, two imposing rocks come into view. On the right side the Mosen Rock, (La Peña Mosen), on the left side, the rear of the Castle hill. Ahead of you the cliff face of “La Punta”.
There is a canal running parallel to the river. You can either follow the canal (not recommended for children) or take the river track.

The riverbank track, will take you to Peña Judía, a natural pool in the Turia river, which is a not too deep and suitable for swimmers of all abilities. This is a very popular swimming place for locals. The more adventurous walkers will have the opportunity to cross the river several times on stepping stones. The scenery here is impressive, as along the Canyon with dramatic vertical walls of more than 80 m.

The Charco Azul is large natural pool formed by the river. The river reaches to the Charco by the narrower part of the Canyon, where there is small dam. In the past, there was no dam, and this point was known as the “Estrecho of Chulilla”, a dangerous waterfall, especially for the woodcutters that decades ago used the river to drive trees from the west regions to the city of Valencia. The footbridge on the wall, was built for dam control and maintenance purposes. The last flood broke it, we do not recommend using it. Swimming is possible, despite only for experienced swimmers.

On our way back to town, we will walk downstream to the Peña Judia. Two small bridges have to be crossed along the route. You are rounding now the base of the Castle hill. As we walk, small cultivated gardens come into view. These are the oldest in town and have been worked since moorish.

A huge cave in the mountain, “La Cueva del Gollisno”, it was used in the past as a goat farmyard and to its left, the “Frailecico hill”. It is possible to access both by a recently new track.

There are two more pools along the river, the “Fuente las Canales” and the “Remanso Las Mulas”. Easily identifyied by the long trees that grow on their banks, both are strongly recommended for having a stop, resting for a while and get refreshed with a swim, especially on hot days.

Following the track, you will notice that the Canyon opens up forming a valley, the gardens become larger and the mountains not so steep. Above is the East side of the town, we are almost at the end of the track.
By wandering the steep streets, we will reach to our destiny, the town main square. Once there, its time to take rest and to have a drink in one of the bars.

5. Local Path: Chulilla town - Spa

The length of the path is approximately 3 kilometers, the difficulty is low, it takes 2 hours approximately.

This is a pleasant 3 km linear track, which runs parallel to the Turia river. Historically the track has been used by locals for farming purposes, it got lost 3 decades ago until recent landscaping works have recovered it.

In fact, it runs trough a long and wide valley, leaving behind the dramatic crags of the Canyon. The track will show you beautiful landscapes formed by the river.

It is not an overly challenging trail; it’s particulary suitable for families with children.
You will begin the journey from the town main square. By wandering down the steep streets of Arrabal, Enseñanza and Turia you will reach to the river bridge. Once you crossed it, on your left, there is a sign indicating the route.

The first leg of the journey runs through an area of medium size gardens, known as “La huerta vieja”, the old garden. It was the first extensive irrigated area in Chulilla, except the small gardens located on the Canyon. The irrigation ditch was built around 80 years ago. It runs by the base of the mountain on your right and takes the water from the river upstream the Canyon, in the Charco Azul. It has a length of approximately 2 km and was built handly by local farmers and builders, with the help of a bottle of water to measure the unevenness of the soil and keep the water flow to the fields. Nowadays it is still used by the farmers. The most common crops in the area are potatoes, tomatoes, melons and all kind o vegetables.

In this part, the river remains quiet, on their bank you can see high old trees, that form a nice shape to rest for a while.

As long as you walk down the river, in several times you will notice that the fields appear and dissapear, the mountain gets closer and longer to the riverbank. You will cross the river 4 times, even though it flows scarce water, step stones have been deposited in order to facilitate the walk.

In the second leg of the journey, you will noticed how the valley gets narrower. On your left side you will see an old power station. The building and the house up at the hill have an interesting architecture, in fact they are protected by law as singular buildings. Once it has been used for producing energy, the water, which upstream the canal took from the river gets back to it in this point. As a result, the water flow gets suddenly increased.
You are almost in the end of the route, by crossing some large fields, the track gives you to an old and narrow bridge. In front of you the Rinconá fountain. A nice place to stop by, to get refresh with its water, and to rest for a while under the shape of the big fig tree.
The road crosses the river by the bridge. It takes by car to the Spa and to Sot de Chera, a small town 7 km away from Chulilla.

We are just 500 m from the Spa. You still won’t see it because of the vegetation and the bends that forms the river. Two interesting buildings come into view in this last part of the route. First, and old damaged dam. It was used to supply of water a mineral running down the river. The terrible flood of 1957 broke it, could you imagine the strength of the water?. This flood caused important damages all along the villages and cities located on the Turia riverbank. Especially in the city of Valencia, which was entirely inundated causing hundreds of deaths. The flood took over the mineral running as well and the dam was never repaired.

A few metres from it, you will see the rest of a trout factory pool. It was run by the Government but is not working since the eighties.

To reach to the Spa, we will need to cross a foot bridge.

6. Local Path: Cave Paintings

The length of the path is approximately 8 kilometers, the difficulty is low, it takes 3 hours approximately.

You start from the Plaza de la Baronía and walk through several streets such as:, Arrabal and Turia to the Barraquillo neighborhood.

Once in the river bank, you reach to the Los Huertos área, and once the bridge is crossed, you will see the signs to get to the path.

During this trip you will go up the mountain along the route of the Turia river, which irrigates the whole orchard.

Progressively, you will be heading up the ravine Falfiguera, leaving behind the view of Chulilla. When you have walked one kilometer and a half from the beginning of the Ravine, there will be an indication of the cave paintings. On the top of it and after climbing a steep slope will be the paintings.

The importance of these findings is such that a scene has no parallel of those found in the Mediterranean. Retrace your steps to descend back down the ravine and move again to the town.

Gradually, you will begin to climb again by the steep streets of Barranquillo, to reach back to your starting point, the Plaza de la Baronía.

7. Local Path: La Muela Hill – Town of Chulilla

The length of the path is approximately 2 kilometers, the difficulty is low and takes 2 hours. IT is recommended to wear light mountaineering boots, and water, no shade in almost the entire path.

It begins at the Plaza de la Baronía, you leave it to the Eras Street through the stairs closet o La Baronía Restaurant. Once you reach to the top of the Street follow the road and take the first road to the right. There begins the mountain and you leave the cars.

This route passes for an ancient irrigation channel that came from the spring “El Lebrillico”, and channeled the water to the square, filling a raft for cattle and horses. As you walk, you shall see your feet leaving the village, and realize how houses and mountains are slowly getting smaller. You will reach the spring of El Lebrillico, from here you continue the way to the top of la Muela, a mountain which reaches the top of the town.

There are many viewpoints where you can enjoy these views. At the first viewpoint next to a raft of irrigation, there are some tables and benches where you can get your strength back. Another interesting place is the viewpoint of La Cruz, from which it can be contemplated magnificient views of the Chulilla town, the Castle, the Cañón del Turia, and la Punta. Back to the square, as you go down, you will find the ravine of Mortaina, then descend through it, and see the first houses in the neighborhood of La Ermita, ending finally in the Plaza de la Baronía.