Tourist Info C/ La Mola, s/n Itineraries in the A) Long Distance B) Short-Distance In addition to the routes Along the many local All hikers or bikers Practical Tips N-340 in Castellón de la 12160 Benassal - Castelló roads with very little Plana towards Sant Els -Maestrat Routes (GRs): Routes (PRs): indicated above, Els Ports should consult the The Els Ports - Maestrat Tel: 964 44 20 04 traffic and the quiet forest Mateu, which leads to district The GR-7 crosses the The GR-7 branches off - Maestrat has a wide guidebooks mentioned district can be reached E-mail: [email protected] district and links to various range of hiking routes for trails, cyclists have many above and use detailed the N-232 to Zaragoza. The area of Els Ports - into a series of shorter via the A-P7 motorway, towns such as Fredes, el 3 to 4-day hikes, one- possibilities for maps. The Els Ports You reach Morella as Maestrat and the routes signposted as junction 42, taking the Tourist Info Boixar, , Morella, day excursions or shorter enjoyment. For well- district is covered by the above and take the surrounding lands in the PRs (plus a Roman road to Vinaròs. From C/ Historiador Betí, 6 Ares del Maestre, Benasal walks. For further trained cyclists, following maps at CV-14 to . The communities of Catalonia numeral, plus an Arabic there take the N-232 to 12170 Sant Mateu - Castelló and . The section of information, a guidebook conquering the mountain 1:500,000 scale: CV-10 connects to and Aragón offer visitors a number for subsections). Zaragoza until you reach Tel: 964 41 66 58 this route between Morella in Spanish can be passes of Torre Miró, Las Aguaviva 29-20 (519) roads leading to Ares, wide range of scenery Of note among these are Morella and then the Fax: 964 41 61 29 (Ayto.) and Ares del Maestre runs consulted, entitled Els Cabrillas, Santa Agueda Peñarroya de Tastavins Benasal, Villafranca and which deserves leisurely the routes from Morella CV-14 towards Forcall. E-mail: [email protected] through terrain which is Ports de Morella y or Querol provides 30-20 (520); Forcall 29- other towns. exploration, while you enjoy to other areas of Els Another route is the fairly easy to cover. From Benifassar. Ports de magnificent views well 21 (544); Morella 30-21 the peace and quiet of Ports such as the PR-V- CV-10 leading off the Morella, it leads to the 116, PR-V-119 or the PR- Beceite (Castellón, 1989). worth the effort. (545); Ulldecona 31-21 Tourist Info Alcossebre undisturbed nature. Peaks, Mountain-bikers can Nevera dels Regatxols (a V-218 to , In the 11th century, El Cid (546); Villafranca del Cid San José, 59 gorges, rivers, fountains, follow a number of forest Tourist info nevera is a cave used for Forcall and Xiva. journeyed throughout 29-22 (569); Albocácer 12579 Alcossebre - Castelló hermitages and forests are trails in the area: from Tourist Info Morella storing snow) and climbs Signposted routes can these lands. The itinerary 30-22 (570); Vinaroz Tel: 96 441 22 05 waiting to be discovered at Vallibona to Castell de Plaza de Sant Miquel, 3 to the peak known as the be found in other towns he followed during 31-22 (546); Cuevas de Fax: 96 441 45 34 the calm pace of the hiker Cabres; the ascent to the 12300 Morella - Castelló Mola d’Ares. Also like Sant Mateu (PR-V- his “journeys in exile” Vinromà 30-23 (593) E-mail: [email protected] or the cyclist. have been reconstructed Muixacre; or crossing the and Alcalá de Chivert Tel: 96 417 30 32 recommendable is the 201 and PR-V-202) or Fax: 96 417 30 32 section of the GR-7 from by Guillermo García in his to the 31-23 (594). The magnificent Villafranca del Cid that E-mail: [email protected] Morella to the Coll del book Las rutas del Cid Mare de Déu del Llosar. Tourist Info Benicarló opportunities provided by have an outstanding local Peiró Trencat. From (published by Tierra de Pl. de la Constitución, s/n this area for nature hiking route network. Castelló Tourist Info Alcalà de Xivert Benasal the GR-7 leads to Fuego, Madrid, 1988). 12580 Benicarló - Castelló excursions are fully Ares, Culla, Catí, Tirig, Pl. de la Iglesia, s/n the Font d’En Segures spa Tel: 964 47 31 80 covered by the long- Albocàsser and Benasal 12570 Alcalà de Xivert and the Sant Cristòfol also offer possibilities for València Fax: 964 47 31 80 distance and short-distance Tel: 96 441 06 47 hermitage. For further E-mail: [email protected] hiker’s routes known in this kind of activity.- PR-V: details, the publication as the Senderos de This route runs between Tourist Info Peñíscola “Topo-Guía del sector the towns of , Gran Recorrido (GRs) Alacant Paseo Marítimo, s/n Tourist Info Fredes-Sant Joan de , and Senderos de Pequeño 12598 Peñíscola - Castelló Avda. Llosar, 26 ” should be Villafranca del Cid and Recorrido (PRs). Tel: 96 448 93 92 12150 Vilafranca - Castelló consulted (in Spanish). Culla. It connects the GR- These are traditional trails Fax: 96 448 02 08 Tel: 964 44 14 32 7 and the GR-8 and signposted by hiking E-mail: @touristinfo.net E-mail: [email protected] groups and shown in a continues into the region number of guide books. of Aragón.

LAND OF www.landofvalencia.com • MORELLA • VALLIBONA • SANT MATEU • • • PORTELL DE MORELLA • LES COVES DE VINROMÀ • ALCALÁ DE CHIVERT • LA MATA • VILLAFRANCA DEL CID • ZORITA DEL • • LA TORRE D’EN BESORA • ALBOCÁCER • HERBÉS

he Els Ports and Maestrat districts January 17th. Fire is the protagonist of this feast, a symbol of houses clinging to its steep slopes, and crowned by a architecture side by side with ancient public and private edifices. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of La Salut (Traiguera) is of note. • CATÍ

CASTELLFORT Toffer visitors the chance to enjoy nature at purification that bids adieu to the winter and ushers in the long- rocky summit bearing the remains of the town castle. church of the town patroness, La Virgen del Pópulo, preserves a

• In a broad, elongated valley running parallel to its very best, with verdant forests awaited spring. handsome 13thC Romanesque sculpture known as Our Lady of One of the finest examples of religious architecture in the the coast, separated by the imposing

interrupted by craggy peaks, sharp the Orange. • Leaving Forcall to pay a visit to the valley of the river Bergantes, Land of Valencia is the Archpriest’s Church of Santa María de Serra d’Irta, are the towns of Santa ravines, a hermitage here and there, and visitors will see various villages such as that of Villores on a small hill Morella. Outside the well-preserved town walls is an aqueduct built in Towards the south, the villages of Cinctorres, Portell de Magdalena de Pulpis and Alcalá de sleepy mountain villages with magical auras along the way. It offers all the charm of tiny streets climbing to the the 13thC. On the road to Forcall one can visit Morella and are set on the highest altitudes in the Chivert, the latter with a bell tower visible that transport us back to the distant past. This impressive and varied FORCALL summit of the hill, lined with white-washed houses adorned with the erstwhile Giner Factory, an example of entire district. In Cinctorres a pleasant excursion can be made from miles around. The Serra d’Irta is • scenery provides a habitat for Nature’s treasure-horde of animals, balconies. On the opposite bank of the Bergantes is Ortells, whose 19th-century architecture now fully along the Rambla de Celumbres, a dry stream bed, or to the crowned by two castles whose walls are still

including hares, squirrels, and quail, living in unison with • quaint streets are dominated by the stern silhouette of the castle-cum- restored. Other sites to see in the area are Bovalar caves on the mountainside.

standing, from which a marvellous view over the ROSSELL the , the Spanish mountain goat, the golden eagle and the palace of Los Brusca. Further on, the village of sits on an prehistoric rock-shelter paintings in coast can be gained, albeit only by hardy climbers. tawny vulture. Portell de Morella contains the region’s richest forests. Bordering on open plain, sending its inhabitants out Morella la Vella, the Roser sanctuary, the Teruel province is a nature area known as Les Alberedes that entices From Alcalá de Chivert, crossing over the sierra de

BENASAL Numerous religious and civic monuments reflect the historical every day to tend to a host of picturesque village of Xiva or the forest of Les Talaies d’Alcalà, one arrives at Les Coves de

• visitors to tarry for a while in a scenic spot next to an old importance of these towns and villages in Medieval days. Territories in almond and fruit trees. Pereroles for a day out in the country. hermitage, with a fountain and a hostel. Castellfort encircles a Vinromà. Further on, dryland crops and the occasional waterwheel the Els Ports district, once pertaining to the Crown, and those of the mark the road to , en route to Sant Mateu. • is situated in Throughout the year a number of festivities enliven the town hill at 1,200 metres above sea level, and just a short distance SAN JORGE Maestrat, governed by the Master of the Order of the Templars, and the northernmost mountains of the Els of Morella: the Santantonada in January, the pilgrimage away is a well-known hermitage honouring Sant Pere, or St. Sant Mateu is the historical capital of the Maestrat district. This

CULLA later by the Order of Santa María de Montesa, are sprinkled with Ports district. Here, traditional • to the Vallivana Sanctuary in May and a festival held Peter, one of the oldest in the province. town’s heritage is obvious to all on a stroll around the town, which has references to their cultural legacy from the past. mountain mansions with thick, every six years in the month of August called the Sexenni, From Castellfort, the villages of Ares been listed as a Town of Cultural Interest. Monuments include the Set in the valley formed by the rivers Bergantes, overhanging wooden eaves and announced by the Anunci held in the previous year. The del Maestre and Villafranca del Cid - Augustine Convent, the Borrull and Villores palaces, the Archpriest’s Caldés and Cantavieja is the town of Forcall, shrouded balconies overlook the next Sexeni will be in the year 2000. Church, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Angels, the Masía del

lying in the district- are • looking up to mountain slopes covered with pine trees and holm steep, sometimes staircased, streets. Popular dances form part of the peculiar folklore still alive in this well worth a visit, both for their spectacular Palomar (Estate house) and Las Fuentes. The history and ethnology, TÍRIG oaks. The spacious Plaza Mayor, flanked by 16th-century On the outskirts of the town, there is a district. Perhaps the best known example, owing to its antiquity, its scenery and a series of prehistoric rock-shelter archpriests’, palaeontology and medieval prison museums provide

SARATELLA columns, boasts the monumental palace of the Osset-Miró sanctuary to Our Lady of La Balma sandwiched into a cleft in the complicated movements and exquisite beauty is the war dance paintings to be found here at the Gasulla ravine near Ares. visitors with information on the cultural and natural

• family, constructed in local stone and topped by large mountain face. Way back in the 14th century there was talk of a performed in Todolella. This village has grown up on the slope of a hill Another nearby ravine, la Valltorta, near Tirig, Albocácer heritage of Valencia. •

wooden eaves in typical Aragonese style. On the opposite hermitage here, which attracted pilgrims anxious to pray to the Virgin TODOLELLA and is also much photographed owing to its majestic medieval castle and Les Coves de Vinromá, offers visitors the chance to see Moving back up the Cervera valley to Venta de l’Aire side of the plaza is the palace of Les Escaletes, and once said to have been sighted here. The tradition has continued commanding the surrounding area. From here, a short stroll amongst one of the most important collections of Levantine rock-shelter one travels southwards to Catí, sitting at the foot of the further inside the tiny streets leaving the square are more down to our days. pine trees and holm oaks leads to the hermitage of Sant Cristòfol. paintings. The Museu de la Valltorta (Tírig) has been opened Sierra Nevera. The town centre here has Gothic solid reminders of days of old at every step. Outside the In a valley next to the Tastavins river, surrounded by to provide an overview of this attractive cultural legacy from buildings, and the nearby Mare de Deu de l’Avellà MORELLA town, Forcall provides adventurous visitors with scenic Founded long ago by the Moors, the nearby village of La mountains and forests, is the picturesque pueblo of Herbés. • prehistoric times. health spa merits a visit. viewpoints such as the Roca del Migdia (“the Mata has a number of characteristic buildings. Still Typical houses and civic buildings here are representative of Midday Rock”) and the Mola standing at numerous sites are impressive torres-masías, In the district, the broad, gently-declining Albocàcer, in turn, offers the repose of its Sant Pau • medieval architecture. On a nearby mountain slope is PORTELL DE MORELLA Garumba (“Garumba” Peak), or towerhouses once belonging to noblemen’s estates. mountain slopes connect the hinterlands with the coastal plains. Olive hermitage, its fine honey and artisan olive oil. This handsome town is the the 17th-century Sanctuary of Our Lady of El Sargar. offering spectacular Along the nearby Cantavieja river is a scenic spot trees are traditional here, and some are actually millennial, raising gateway to Culla and Benasal, via and La Torre d’En panoramas, or the tranquil fountains From Herbés, the road leads through the lush mountain known as Les Calderetes, where the water slows its their gnarled forms to the sky like veritable sculptures. The Museu de Besora. The monumental Culla holm oak forest welcomes visitors to this of L’Om, La Felipeta and La Vila. forests of Turmell. On the northern slopes of these pace to fill pools that beckon to brave plungers and l’Oli, in , has exhibits providing an overview of rugged land whose sturdy houses stand at 1,100m above sea level. mountains, watered by the river Cérvol, lies Vallibona, attract foot-weary paddlers. olive growing and oil pressing. Set among olive tree plantations are the During the descent back to Benasal, through Famous throughout the Land of nestling in a basin full of orchards and gardens. towns of San Rafael del Río, Rosell, Canet lo Roig, Traiguera, La hazel nut tree orchards, a stop at the rock Valencia is the feast day of San On the westernmost side of the district of Els Ports, Jana, Cervera del Maestre, Cálig and Sant Mateu. The history of shelters of Barranc dels Covarjos or the spa Antonio, “la Santantonada”, which is Then comes the capital of the Els Ports district, proud Morella, nestling in a shallow valley, is the regal settlement of Olocau del these towns is reflected in their architecture, among which the Royal of Font d’En Segures is recommended. held on the weekend closest to dominating the horizon for miles around, presenting its Cubist-like Rey, with a town centre fitted out with fine examples of popular

OLOCAU DEL REY • SANTA MAGDALENA DE PULPIS • LA SALZADELLA • CÁLIG • SAN RAFAEL DEL RÍO • CERVERA DEL MAESTRE • • HERBÉS • CATÍ • VILAR DE CANES • ARES DEL MAESTRE • PALANQUES • CINCTORRES • SANT MATEU • LA MATA • ALCALÁ DE CHIVERT • nia Sé Riu

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