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History, culture and beautiful landscapes accompany us through the Cabriel and Júcar gorges Route 7 From Requena to

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1.260 57 59a n n R 1.108 te ai 58 lb o B 1 • El Pontón Tamayo 31 • House: Casa la Mata Cabriel 2 • El Azagador 16 • Dam: Presa de Contreras 32 • Power Station: Central 46 • House: Casa de la Noria 3 • Derramador 17 • Los Cuchillos Hidroeléctrica la Terrera 47 • Rinconada de Muñoz 4 • Roma 18 • La Fonseca 33 • Power Station: Central 48 • House: Casa de Penen 5 • Barrio Arroyo 19 • Peña de Carcachal Hidroeléctrica del Retorno 49 • Waterfall/Power Station: Salto 6 • San Juan 20 • Mount: El Cerro de las Cuevas 34 • House: Casa del Pino Hidroeléctrico de Cofrentes 7 • Calderón 21 • Tollo del Hombre 35 • Casas de Carcel 50 • Houses: Casas de Alcance 8 • Spring: Manantial de la 22 • El Purgatorio 36 • Bathing resorts: Baños de 51 • Spa: Hervideros de Cofrentes Alberca 23 • Gorge: Hoz de Vicente Fuente Podrida 52 • Mount: Cerro de la Dehesilla 9 • Los Villares 24 • Rabo de la Sartén 37 • La Villatoya 53 • Volcano: Cerro de Agrás 10 • Casa de Doñana 25 • Bridge: Puente de Vadocañas 38 • House: Casas de Gilanco 54 • Castle: Castillo de 11 • Bronze Age Site: Yacimiento 26 • House: Casa del Zorro 39 • House: Casa del Perichán 55 • Cave: Cueva de Don Juan Edad Bronce. 27 • House: Casa Huerta de Los 40 • House: Casa del Salado 56 • El Moragete Cave: Cueva Mulatillas Desamparados 41 • House: Casa de La Tornera 57 • Farm: Finca El Rebolloso 12 • Casas de Moluengo 28 • House: Casa Salgar 42 • Houses: Casas de Tetuán 58 • Castellar de Meca 13 • Cave: Puntal del Horno Ciego 29 • Hamlet: Aldea los Cárceles 43 • Houses: Casas de Caballero 59 • Cross: Cruz de San Castillo 14 • House: Casa Zapata 30 • Hermitage: Ermita Santa 44 • Houses: Casas de La Golfilla 15 • Country House: Caserío de Bárbara 45 • Houses: Casillas del Río RUTA7y8_72a91:rutas 29/06/10 7:58 Página 73

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The route commences at Requena in the Plana de - era settlement of Castellar de Meca in the Mugrón Requena region, principally known for the sierra, within the municipal district of Almansa, with Denominación de Origin [designation of origin - D.O. - what are probably the best woods of Phoenicean similar to the French appellation d’origine] of its wine juniper in the entire Region of . and for its rich cuisine. It also has a rich historical heritage, like the Barrio de la Villa declared a place of Beginning of the route: Requena Cultural Interest and of National Historic-Artistic and Utiel - from the land of wine importance. After Requena, following the river Magro, towards crystal clear waters we arrive at Utiel and, having passed through the towns of and Villagordo del Cabriel, we Requena, capital of the Plana de Utiel-Requena region, head for the Hoces del Cabriel nature park, one of the possesses a medieval quarter, the Barrio de la Villa, the ue most beautiful and important natural heritages of the present layout of which was carried out during the Region of Valencia. The Cabriel river is noted for its Almohad era, in the 12th century and the first third of waters having the best physiochemical properties and, the 13th. La Villa is set on a limestone hill which made it with its interminable meanders, for much of its length it possible, in its day, for Requena to be made into a small marks the border between the Region of Valencia and defensive fort. Walking around the Barrio is an exercise Castille-La Mancha. All the way along the Cabriel’s in reencountering history. The Moorish alleyways, Santa riverside path we will discover structures of former María street where the Knights of the King’s Payroll were water-driven generators, buildings for livestock, forestry based and built their grand houses, and the many steep and agriculture, now disused, but forming an itinerary slopes such as that of Cristo or the Angel, take us back of great cultural value. This route, therefore, not only to ancestral times, making us participants in legend, the allows us to get closer to nature, but also to enter into annals of history, shared memory. The winding cobbled the history, customs and ways of life that have gone streets of Requena going up Calle del Cristo take us up back to being valued again as time has passed. After to the Plaza de la Villa, the real nerve centre of the Villa Rio our journey along the Cabriel as far as Cofrentes, and since time immemorial. Under the Plaza we find the

Jucar continuing south to Jalance, we will then head west caves that were dug out by the Arabs when they bored and go back up a through spectacular narrow gorge through the limestone to the substrata and extracted with sheer vertical walls, on the Júcar river. From the the clay, thus forming the vaults of the caves. The caves Cueva de Don Juan set into the gorge of the Júcar, we have been put to many different uses throughout go in the direction of Ayora passing through the Iberian history, notably the use of the labyrinthine passages and chambers as refuges at various different times of war, as silos for cereals and, without a doubt, the most Vines in Requena 39° 26' 43.20" N 1° 8' 30.60" W recent and important use they have had, as cellars for making and storing wines. From Requena, and without leaving the Barrio de la Villa, declared a place of Cultural Interest and of National Historic-Artistic importance, we can find another series of monuments and places of great cultural interest to visit, such as the Casa del Arte Mayor de la Seda [Silk], the churches of San Nicolás, Santa María, and Del Salvador, the Alcazaba [Arab fortress], La Fortaleza [stronghold], La Judería [Jewish RUTA7y8_72a91:rutas 29/06/10 7:58 Página 74

Route 7 From Requena to Ayora

for the Denominación de Origin [D.O.] of the region’s wine. Utiel has a marked medieval flavour about it with layouts that indicate its Arab past. We must not leave Urtiel without going to one of its local hostelries and partaking of its rich cuisine and drink its D.O. classified Requena 39° 29' 7.20" N 1° 6' 1.80" W wine, and we can get to know the characteristic friendliness of the local people. Leaving Urtiel we take the road for Carasquilla, in the direction of the Casa de Quarter], the Palacio del Cid [palace], and the Torre de Renegado. After six kilometres we turn right until we Homenaje [tower]. Meanwhile, noteworthy in the reach Villagordo del Cabriel. Halfway along the road Arrabal neighbourhood are the wine making station, between Utiel and Villagordo del Cabriel, on the right, the Fuente de los Patos and the church of San along a stretch of some three kilometres on the CV-543, Sebastián. As well as the heritage of monuments, the is the hamlet of Caudete de las Fuentes. The main city’s vernacular architecture forms a labyrinthine layout attractions in this hamlet is the 18th century church of that ensures a charming walk around the streets of the Natividad de la Virgen and the Luis García Ejarque Requena. We leave Requena on the CV-450 heading in archaeological museum. The area where Caudete de las the direction of Utiel. On the way we will find two Fuentes is located has been populated since the Bronze defining aspects of the Plana de Utiel-Requena region: Age, as can be seen from the archaeological sites on the hamlets and the vineyards. The hamlets that we can the nearby hills of Casa Doñana and Los Villares. After see from the road are those of El Pontón, El Azagador, returning to Caudete de las Fuentes, we reach Derramador, Roma, Barrio Arroyo, San Antonio, San Juan Villagordo del Cabriel, a hamlet built around the parish and Calderón. These eight hamlets are part of the 26 church of San Roque. In the vicinity of this hamlet, as that exist within the municipality boundary of Requena, well as good freshwater outlets, there are also Bronze and are situated amidst the vineyards of undeniable age archaeological sites in the Mulatillas cave, a aesthetic value. On the one hand there is the sense of possible Iberian era burial site on the Moluengo farm, order and harmony with the vines in perfectly straight remains from the same era in the Puntal del Horno rows across tilled soil that allow glimpses of ochre or Ciego cave, Roman and medieval ceramics in the Cueva reddish coloured earth. On the other hand, these ochre Santa and Roman ruins at a rustic villa known as Casa colours contrast with the green of the shoots of the Zapata. vines in spring and summer, and combine in autumn with their gold colouring. Arriving in Utiel a visit to the Meanders and gorges of the river old quarter must not be missed, where we can Cabriel contemplate the former houses of the nobility in the streets of Armas, Trinidad, Enmedio, Beato Gálvez, Leaving Villagordo del Cabriel is a change of scenery, Puerta Nueva y Amargosas, Real, Santa María and leaving the monoculture of vines to enter the Camino and the country houses of the gentry such as Mediterranean woodlands, exuberant in this area of the that of Don Angel and La Noria. Also outstanding is the Region of Valencia. From Villagordo del Cabriel we take 16th century parish church of Nuestra Señora de la the CV-4661 to the junction with the Minglanilla road, Asunción with its late Isabelline Gothic style, the which will take us in a southerly direction and along the bullring, the neoclassical 18th century Town Hall and foot of the Rubial sierra in search of the river Cabriel’s the impressive Bodega Circular, now the headquarters watercourse over by the Caserio [country estate] de RUTA7y8_72a91:rutas 29/06/10 7:58 Página 75

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Tomayo. From this point our route will not leave the step], Peña de Carcachal, El Cerro de los Cuevas [hill of river Cabriel until we reach Cofrentes, where the river caves], Rabo de la Sartén [tail of the frying pan], Casas Cabriel meets the river Júcar. Although from the Hoyuelas [dimple houses], Hoz de Vicente [Vincent’s Caserio de Tomaya we can make a detour to visit the sickle or gorge], El Cerro del Pergatorio [hill of Contreras dam, which may be reached on the CV-4661. purgatory?], El Pergatorio, El Corral de Riscas [corral of Regardless of the possible interest the Contreras dam crags], El Quemado [burnt out], Tollo del Hombre, Cerro might arouse, we concentrate on the main route and, Gordo [fat hill], Cerro de la Hoya del Anguí [hill of the no sooner have we left the dam of the reservoir, than Anguí hollow] or Cumbre Hermosa [lovely hilltop], we find ourselves at the old Contreras bridge, a attempting some rough approximations in English. At spectacular feat of 19th century engineering. We enter this point we encounter, following the banks of the the leafy wood along the Cabriel’s riverbank, Cabriel, the Vadocañas bridge. Built between the accompanied by the incessant flow of the river which second half of the 16th century and the beginning of allows us contact with the means that calms all our the 17th, this bridge was the means of communication senses (especially sight, sound and smell) and between the village of Iniesta, the roads of Andalucía, transports us to other, more original, more genuine and Castille and the lands of Valencia. It was built times, making us aware that the unique secret of making use of a former Roman road. Once in the village human existence is nature itself. These lofty sentiments of Vadocañas the narrow ravine of the river opens up. might come back down to earth when we get to the After the bridge the meanders return and the sides of area of Los Cuchillos – the knives. Nature this time the canyon are not as steep as in the San Vicente gorge stops being a calm backwater and shows its sharper we have just passed. This fact has, throughout history, and more dangerous side, although no less beautiful. enabled settlements along its banks with dwellings, Here as humans we feel smaller and defenceless. All hamlets and infrastructure to make use of the waters of along the route this kind of sensation, our harmony the Cabriel. Among those we highlight, with rough with nature and a certain degree of anxiety at its force indications of their possible meaning: the Casas will alternate as we advance. In fact, after Los Cuchillos, [houses, farms] del Angel, del Zorro [fox], Poco Pan [not we arrive at the small valley of Fonseca and, after this much bread], Huerta de los Desemparados [garden of point, we will have left behind places with curious sounding and significant names such as El Escalón [the Requena 39° 29' 8.40" N 1° 6' 1.20" W RUTA7y8_72a91:rutas 29/06/10 7:58 Página 76

Route 7 From Requena to Ayora

restoration in 2001. It has a diameter of 9.60m, has 20 spokes on each side, the axle is made of iron 19cm in diameter, it is encircled by a wooden rim 130cm in diameter. The waterwheel measures 1.65m from front to back and the extraction rate is 1,500 litres a minute, depending on the speed at which the wheel is turning. Until 1950 there were as many as five watermills the forsaken], del Salgar, Rincón del Ramo, Huerta de las functioning with this simple system of waterwheel, Guindas [sour cherry orchard], the hamlet of Los dam and irrigation ditch similar to the Casas del Río Cárceles [prisons], near here the Cabriel is crossed by one: Casas de Alcance, Penan del Río, El Pajazo, Tamayo what still remains standing of the infrastructure of a and Casas del Cárcel. If you wish to do this route in mid- railway line that was never finished, intended to join August, it is worth remembering that the feast of the Baeza and Utiel and dating from the beginning of the Casas del Río patron saint is on 15th August. Another 20th century. The Abellán del Batán mill, Los Abatanas, attraction this hamlet offers is the parish church of San Las Casas Quemadas [the burned houses], the hamlet Antonio de Padua, built in 1893. On the façade we can of La Zua, La Casa Torrejón [the small tower house], Las find a representation on ceramic tiles of the history of Casas de Cuevas Blancas [white caves], Las Cuatro Casas the hamlet as well as the building of the waterwheel by [the four houses], Las Cinco Casas [the five houses], the the Moors. After visiting the waterwheel, we continue ruins of the Santa Bárbara hermitage, the hamlet of on our route along the banks of the Cabriel to Tamayo, La Mata [the bush], La Terrera hydroelectric Cofrentes, although by this point along the way it was power station, Las Huertas Nuevas [the new market some time ago that we left behind the grandeur of the gardens], the hamlet de Tete, Retorno hydroelectric Hoces del Cabriel nature park, the elevated crags, the power station (the meander, at its narrowest point, has poplars, the pine forests the almond trees and the been ingeniously made use of to make the water fall feeling that you are walking though virgin land. Even so, down to the other stretch of the river and its force the river follows its course, generating possibilities of powers the turbine), La Casa del Pino [house of the life for humans. That is why on this stretch of the route pine tree], Las Casas de Cárcel [prison houses], Los we come upon the Casa de Penan, the hydroelectric Baños de Fuente Podrida [baths of the mouldy/bad rapids at Cofrentes, the Casas de Alcance, the waterspout], La Villatoya, Las Casa de Gilanco, Las Casas Hervidores de Cofrentes modernist style Spa, recently del Hoyo de Villarta, Las Casas de Perichan, La Casa del restored and classed as one of the best thermal bath Salado, La Casa del Saladar (so many place names centres in , and the village of Cofrentes. The river making reference to “sal” - salt - is explained by the Cabriel once again shows us, before we take our leave, mineral deposits of loam and gypsum in the area). that it is an inexhaustible fount of life. Casas de Tetuán, Casas de Caballero [Knight houses], Casas de la Golfilla, Casillas del Río Cabriel, Casas de la From Cofrentes to the Júcar canyon Noria [houses of the waterwheel], Barrio de Casimiro, dam and waterwheel of Casas del Río. In the Casas del We reach Cofrentes, a village with an unfortunate Río hamlet we will find the only functioning reputation as it hosts the nearby nuclear power station waterwheel in the entire Region of Valencia, irrigating which diverts attention from the beauty and the the area named Rinconada de Muñoz with some 19 cultural richness it possesses. hectares under irrigation. The waterwheel had its last Cofrentes castle is definitely worth a visit. It stands on RUTA7y8_72a91:rutas 29/06/10 7:58 Página 77

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the highest point of a hill at the confluence of the Júcar and Cabriel rivers, dominating all around it. On the hill opposite it, the town spreads out to the southeast and southwest. The origin of the castle is uncertain, for Cofrentes is not found in the disputed borderlands between Aragon and Castille, so it was conquered by Alfonso VII of Castille. During the 13th century, moreover, it changed hands constantly, being Overlooking the Júcar 39° 11' 30.60" N 1° 7' 55.80" W situated on the border zone between the Arab kingdoms and the crowns of Aragon and Castille. Another place of interest is the Embarcadores reservoir. Chorros [four waterspouts for public access] built in From here you can take a boat trip to Cortes de Pallás, 1913, above which the name Jalance can be seen for which two boats run services, in a concession written in Arabic, showing the respect the people of granted by the town council, taking passengers several Jalance have for their past. Our route leaves Jalance times a day along the stretch as far as Cortes de Pallás, heading in a westerly direction, climbing the Cuesta de an excursion which offers views of singularly beautiful la Hoyiquía. Along the Moragete road the way borders areas. Without leaving Cofrentes, we must visit the the river Júcar. On one of the bends a sign anounces parish church of San José, from the 17th century. It is the Júcar canyon. From there we can reach a vantage also worth visiting the hermitage of Nuestra Señora de point known as the Las Ventanas [windows] del Júcar, la Soledad, built in the 19th century on the Cerro de la and a road. The Júcar canyon has been formed by the Dehesilla. On the opposite bank of the Cabriel stands course of the river as it flows through gorges with the Cerro de Agrás, an extinct volcano, classified as the vertical sides more than two hundred metres high. The most recent volcanic outcrop in the province of road goes along the edge of the canyon but without it Valencia, which has both scientific and educational being the highest part. That is why all the time the walls value. We continue on our route from the vicinity of of rock are looming above, the precipices and the river the Balneario de Cofrentes [spa and bathing resort], Júcar snaking its way below. Little by little the canyon from where a farm track sets out leading to the village closes in and the walls become steeper, however our of Jalance; we cross the river between fields of almond itinerary does not let us continue further there as we and olive trees. Jalance castle was built by the Arabs in have to travel south a few kilometres to reach Don the 11th century and was very important during the Juan’s Cave. Middle Ages owing to its strategic importance as a frontier town between two rivers. In the urban centre From Don Juan’s cave to Castellar the parish church of San Miguel stands out, built over de Meca what was in its day the Arab mosque. The present church and the building of its belfry date from 1736. The Cueva de Don Juan is a wonder of nature, an The Arab past of the village is obvious in Tánger and authentic geological gem which, for its own sake alone, Unión streets, closer to the church. On the outskirts of is the motivation for a leisurely visit to Jalance. The cave the village is a 17th century Calvary with the Stations has been set up to allow visitors and we can make our of the Cross and the San Miguel hermitage, a religious way through it on paths, platforms, stairs and handrails; group set in agreeable surroundings. Another in addition lighting has been installed to create a interesting place to visit is the Fuente de los Cuatro startlingly beautiful atmosphere. Amongst the RUTA7y8_72a91:rutas 29/06/10 7:58 Página 78

Route 7 From Requena to Ayora

Don Juan ‘s cave 39° 11' 1.20" N 1° 8' 40.20" W

Palomera, with mountain streams pouring down and stalagmites one stands out in the form of a column, enabling this countryside to be cultivated. At this point rising up until it touches the ceiling of the cave. And we can make a visit, on a single stretch going there and amongst the stalactites one is highlighted, with the back, to the Sierra de la Palomera to see the area of La shape of a hand hanging down from the ceiling, its Hunde, another nature reserve of extraordinary fingers almost translucent, and it is known as the hand ecological value. At La Hunde, which covers some of Don Juan. Another interesting point in the cave is the 10,000 hectares, they rear mountain goats, red deer, Lake of Wishes, where, in the same tradition as a mouflons [an ancient species of wild mountain sheep] wishing well, a coin is thrown into it and a wish made. wild boar, golden eagles, roe deer and owls. The Four kilometres from the cave, going in a westerly vegetation is leafy, predominantly pines, Holm oak and direction, we encounter another incomparable natural juniper. Especially noteworthy is the waterspout Fuente spot called El Moragete, where there is a “nature de la Cadena, as its abundant waters pour into a pool in classroom” which is intended to act as a catalyst for which bathing is permitted. This is all on a site next to a learning about the environment. El Moragete is an old pine forest with recreational facilities and areas for restored corral that originally housed livestock and has camping; there are also tables with benches for picnics been restored and turned into the nature classroom. It in the shade of the pines. Returning to the area of the is surrounded by immense pine forests overlooking the plain in the vicinity of the Rambla de la Vega, we should Júcar canyon and with a large area for camping. We not leave without visiting the Finca El Rebolloso, an leave Moragete climbing up the Boquerón sierra by unusual tourist and farming complex noted for its work way of the slope that gives onto the Júcar to arrive, in a in recuperating the local native breed of sheep, the southerly direction, at the slope of this sierra which Guirra, which in former times was common on the opens up onto a vast plain. We head for the Rambla de Valencian mountain scrubland. From the house of El la Vega and the countryside around now offers fields of Rebelloso it is worth making a quick detour along a cereals, which might make us wonder if we have stretch of eight kilometres there and back as far as the strayed from the route and entered Castille territory. imposing and defiant Mugrón, a big block-shaped hill Ahead of us fields of cereals stretch out over the flatter in the perfect shape of a molar, hence the Spanish term parts and on the steeper parts, almond and olive “muela”, to visit the Iberian Age settlement Castellar de groves. This landscape is due to the three mountain Meca. This important settlement from the Iberian Age, ranges emblematic of the Ayora valley: the Mugrón de which must have enjoyed a certain degree of Almansa sierra, the Montemayor and the Sierra de la prosperity, inhabited between the 4th and 2nd RUTA7y8_72a91:rutas 29/06/10 7:58 Página 79

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or Ayora. The ecclesiastical heritage has great importance in the town. The parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción deserves special mention, being one of the best examples of Renaissance building in the Region of Valencia, as does the string of hermitages, both within the town itself and on the outskirts. Another building of note is the Lonja, the central Requena 39° 29' 7.20" N 1° 6' 1.80" W market or trading Exchange. Built in 1892, its open airy metal structure is modernist in design and is situated in the centre of the town, at the start of the Plaza Mayor. centuries B.C, must have been dismantled almost Also noteworthy is the San Francisco convent, built in certainly by the Roman army. The fortified city, hewn 1573, although it was rebuilt in 1778, retaining its two- from the rock, is surprising for its dimensions storey cloister. At present it houses the Casa de Cultura. (occupying more than ten hectares), its complex system Without doubt the most important street in Ayora is of water collection (based on small channels and that of Marquesa de Cenete. The importance of this numerous, large cisterns hewn out of the bare rock) street since 1550 is recorded by Cavanilles, a Valencian and, above all, for the cart track nearly a kilometre long geographer and botanist, who described it as ‘superior leading up to the settlement, on which the open ruts to as many as are in the kingdom, without excepting those stand out clearly, worn in the stone by the wheels of of the capital’. It is 10 metres wide and 376 metres long. the carts. Remains are also conserved of defensive There are numerous houses of nobility along it, with towers, houses half hewn into the rock, steps, mangers interesting modernist façades. Lastly, it is worth and water troughs. The remains of the former mentioning the cross of San Anton, at the entrance of protecting wall are clearly visible, although the the town, coming from Almansa. It is a Gothic style settlement itself, due to its position, was a truly natural cross, typical in Spain, to inspire piety in those entering stronghold. Only a visit in person and on the very spot and leaving the town. It is hewn out of stone beneath a itself can really give us an idea of the truly exceptional small shrine with four columns supporting it. Its value of this settlement within the Iberian Age culture. construction is attributed to Miguel Molsós in the 15th Just one visit will show us why the Castellar de Meca century. was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931. In short, only by visiting in person will we able to perceive Practical information the sensation that we are in a place of energy, in an environment profusely used by our ancestors. Fiestas, food and crafts We return to Finca El Rebolloso after walking round the The cuisine of the towns and villages of the Utiel- enigmatic settlement and we now head for the end of Requena region is rich and varied with dishes involving our route. To reach Ayora we take a rural road of the a lot of preparation, like potaje [stew/broth], olla Vega and then the main road CV-440. The village of [casserole] and gazpacho manchego cooked here with a Ayora spreads its urban centre around its castle, which stew of tomato, liver, bacon fat, ham and meat served is perched on a hill 648 metres high with large crags. In over a torta de pastor, a crude type of bread, thin and the layout of the town various different pan-fried, used instead of a plate to serve the gazpacho. neighbourhoods can be distinguished, and walking Other simpler dishes but equally tasty, include round them allows us to appreciate the historical legacy morteruelo [liver paté], ajo arriero [cod with garlic and RUTA7y8_72a91:rutas 29/06/10 7:58 Página 80

Route 7 From Requena to Ayora

Don Juan’s cave 39° 11' 0.59" N 1° 8' 37.20" W

regions each town and village along the route celebrate peppers], fritura de chicharrones [pork scratchings, the feast day of their patron saint and numerous leftovers], arroz en cazuela [rice casseroled with different romerías [religious processions and pilgrimages] mostly ingredients], patatas en caldo [potato in stock], or the related to hermitages in the area. Also popular is the gachamiga [flour and garlic in a batter cooked with fiesta of San Antonio Abad with its bonfires, carnivals to olive oil]. Also famed are the embutidos [generic term mark the beginning of Lent and in some villages the for all the sausage-shaped products] such as: longaniza Fallas festival. Local handcrafts in the Ayora-Cofrentes [similar to salami], chorizo [cured sausage] and morcilla valley area show its best work with pitchforks, walking [black pudding], which have been popularised in the sticks, and handles for utensils and tools, made from the typical bocadillos de blanco y negro [tasty bites of bread flexible thin shoots of the hackberry tree. with chunks of any chorizo etc.]. And for dessert some Recommended time of year outstanding sweet dishes include bizcochos [sponge Any time of year is good, except for the coldest days in cakes], mantecados [crumbly melt-in-the-mouth small winter with storms from the north in the highest parts of cakes], burruecos [almonds, honey and fried spaghetti!] both regions. Take care also during the hours around and turrones [almond nougat] especially at Christmas. midday in high summer, when the sun is at its hottest. Wine continues to be today one of the great references From the end of January to the middle of March the of the region, which chiefly produces reds and rosés countryside accompanying the route is enjoyed with the with the Utiel-Requena Denominación de Origen colourful almond and cherry trees in full bloom. In [designation of origin - D.O. - like the French appellation autumn the changing colours of the deciduous trees d’origine], and a local winery has achieved international dazzle us along the Cabriel and Júcar riverbanks: a prestige. Local people have turned the treading of the colourful sight not to be missed. One must also allow grapes into a festival which, in the case of the Requena oneself to be seduced by the magic of the vineyards on grape-harvest, or Vendimia, has been declared of tourist the plains, whether they are green in spring, the reddish interest. Meanwhile, in the Ayora valley, the gazpachos golds of autumn, or the greys of the naked pruned vines, ayorinos are famed and eaten throughout the area, throughout the rigors of winter. although each village has its own gastronomic specialities: the calducho of , the olla Cofrentina, Public transport trigo picao in Teresa or the ajotonto of Jalance being Local and regional trains stop at Requena and Utiel just a few. To end with a dessert, the sweets are based stations. Bicycles are transported free of charge. From on grullos [fried cakes covered with honey], marzipans, Ayora there is a bus service to Valencia. aguamiel [baked pumpkin slices with honey]. In both RUTA7y8_72a91:rutas 29/06/10 7:58 Página 81

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Recommendations following forest tracks: the access to Los Cuchillos on If you want to follow the route just as it is set out, by the river Cabriel and continuing along it until it joins bike or on foot, a word of warning: a mountain bike is our main route. Anyone wanting to make use of the car better, or as a minimum, the hybrid type. There are not must go along the main roads that are indicated in the too many water spouts to quench your thirst and description of the route. On the tracks that it is possible replenish water supplies away from the urban centres, to drive on, the main path must never be left, since it is so make sure you fill up with plenty of water whenever much better condition and more respectful to the land. you get the chance. Both the early hours of the In order to get to know in more detail the natural morning and at dusk are the times of day when the environment of each area we propose, it is best to leave temperature is agreeable and the light is especially the vehicle parked somewhere safe and secure and good. The route cannot be travelled by car along the walk along the corresponding official footpaths.

RECOMMENDED MAPS TO FOLLOW THE ROUTE CORRECTLY: National Geographic Institute Scale 1:25,000, sheet numbers: 693-III and V; 694-III; 719-I, II, III and IV; 720-I; 744-II; 745-I and III; 768-I and II; and 793-I. Further information: www.comunitatvalenciana.com Information on regional and local trains: Renfe 902 24 02 02. www.renfe.es

TOURIST INFO OFFICES FOR THE ROUTE:

Tourist Info Ayora Tourist Info Jalance Tourist Info Requena Tourist Info Utiel C/ San Francisco, s/n C/ Targer, 2 C/ García Montes, s/n C/ Puerta Nueva, 11-A (Casa de la Cultura) 46624 Jalance 46340 Requena 46300 Utiel 46620 Ayora Tel. 961 89 71 71 Tel. 962 30 38 51 Tel. 962 17 11 03 Tel. 961 89 06 58 Fax 962 19 64 51 Fax 962 30 38 51 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Tourist Info Cofrentes Pl. de España, 6 46625 Cofrentes Tel. 961 89 43 16 Fax 961 89 42 70 [email protected]