Marina Alta from Moraira
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RouteXpert Jan Koelstra (jan cabrio)
Last edit: 13-07-2025
Route Summary Marina Alta, a district in the north of the province of Alicante, is known for its beautiful beaches and pleasant climate on the Costa Blanca, luxury villas and tourist appeal.
Within this area, you'll find a number of charming coastal towns such as Denia, Javea, Moraira, and Calpe. But the hilly interior is undoubtedly spectacular and definitely worth a visit. Here are a few villages you'll pass through, such as Jalon, Parcent, and Alcalali. These villages are all located in the Jalon Valley and exude a wonderful rural charm. You'll also find stunning roads with breathtaking views and panoramic views of the sea or mountain ridges, past waterfalls, mountain passes, gorse, almond, and pine trees everywhere, and sometimes you'll even find yourself among a flock of sheep. Yes, this is another five-star tour.
You'll discover all this beauty on this circular tour from Moraira through the stunning, hilly hinterland of the Marina Alta. You'll pass through valleys, each with its own unique character, ancient mountain villages, and Moorish ruins of castles and villages nestled against the slopes.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
6h 49m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
162.13 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review Your tour begins at El Portet, the old harbor of Moraira. There's a gas station in the village, and then you'll drive through the countryside past villas to Benissa. The name Benissa originates from the Arabic language, 'Beni Isa' meaning 'sons of Isa'. Many villages in this region begin with 'Beni', such as Benidorm, Beniaia, Benidoleig, Benigembla, and so on. This clearly demonstrates the Moorish influence in this area. The Moors were expelled from this region in 1609, and it was subsequently repopulated by Christians from the Pyrenees, Catalonia, and Aragon.
A short detour, with beautiful views of Calpe and Mount Ifach, takes you past the small Sierra de Bernia mountain range. It's one of the natural treasures of the Marina Alta, marking its border with the Marina Baixa. It serves as a transition between the humid regions of the north and the drier regions of the south. Furthermore, human intervention throughout history has contributed to the extraordinary diversity of landscapes and habitats in this protected area.
The tour ends back in the village, in the wine village of Jalon, also known as Xalò in Valencian, as this region is bilingual. Here, you'll stop for a coffee or wine tasting next to or in a well-stocked bodega featuring wines produced in this region.
After coffee, you'll pass Alcalali, with its beautiful church and Roman watchtower (both open to visitors), and then cycle via the Coll de Rates, feared by cyclists, to Castell de Castells, through a deserted, rugged plateau. Castell de Castells lies at the source of the Rio Jalón and is surrounded by mountains. The highest peak of the Serrella Mountains, Malla de Llop, rises to over 1,300 meters and features the ruins of the Arab castle of Penya. The area has a rich history, with three settlements surrounding the village: Pla de Petracos, Bitla, and Pla d'Alt. Three kilometers outside the village lies a huge natural double arch, Els Arcs. It's said to be one of the largest in Europe. A lovely excursion is to leave the route here and drive to the viewpoint at the Guadalest reservoir. You can immediately see the water level in the lake.
The route runs through the rugged Marina Alta, home to small, almost deserted villages such as Famorca, Fagec, and Tollos. In the small village of Tollos, for example, there are approximately 54 houses, but only about 12 people live there permanently. The village has no shop, but the baker, butcher, and grocer visit regularly throughout the week. A doctor visits twice a week, without an appointment; the pharmacy is also open on those days. During the summer months, families flock to enjoy the mountainous pace of life; the village swimming pool and bar are also open then.
You now enter the next valley: Vall d'Alcala. The area includes two villages: Alcalà de la Jovada and Beniaia. There used to be five other villages, some of which are now uninhabited or in ruins.
Both villages together have about 100 inhabitants and this number is expected to decrease, although a downward trend is visible due to immigration of non-Spaniards.
The small village of Beniaia seems to be asleep; a quick peek around the corner at the church is always worthwhile. The larger village of Alcalà de la Jovada has three bars, a campsite, a hotel, a public swimming pool, a sports complex, an internet café, a cultural center/theater, a pharmacy, and a church. However, it has no shop or supermarket.
The ruined Moorish village of L'Atzuvieta is nearby, as are two domes (ice cellars) that were filled with snow in winter to keep food cold during the warmer months. These are called neveras. The upper nevera is called Nevera de Dalt, the lower Nevera de Baix, near the road.
Further downstream, towards the neighboring village of La Vall d'Ebo, lies a cave discovered in 1919 by a local hunter named José Vicente Mengual, known locally as El tío Rull, or "Uncle Rull." His dog chased a rabbit into a hole and didn't return. He then sent his ferret down, but it didn't return either. Eventually, he moved some stones and discovered a cave with stalactites and stalagmites. The cave, officially nicknamed La Cova del Rull, is open to the public.
You'll now continue on to the village of Vall d'Ebo for lunch at the very pleasant restaurant l'Entra. If the waiter is kind, a drink will be waiting for you at the bar. Don't do that, of course, because you still have further to go!
Now follows a beautiful route along a good, though narrow, road. Accompanied by birds of prey, you approach the Cave of Petracos. Here you'll find ancient cave paintings said to have been painted over 5,000 years ago. The caves at the archaeological site have a viewing platform, and the paintings are explained on six information panels.
A little further on, you'll see the abandoned village of Pla de Petracos. Just along the road stands the ruins of the small church, the Ermita de Petracos, as it's called here. Trees grow through the roof, and ivy covers the walls. In centuries past, the residents of Petracos likely found it too far to walk to Castell for Sunday services and decided to build a church themselves. In 1870, the parish priest of Castell raised funds to finish the church, but the money was stolen. He was so disappointed that he abandoned both his construction project and his parish. The church was never finished. The entrance is partially blocked with stones because goats were likely kept there. Surrounded by blossoming almond trees, the church stands waiting for an annual festival in September. The residents of Castell de Castels hold a procession to the church, a mass is celebrated, and then they eat paella in the shade of the holm oaks near the "venta," or Villa Mercedes, the building on the corner. After that, the peace returns again, only a few people still stop to take pictures when the almond trees are in bloom.
Follow the road to Benichembla, where beautiful murals are painted in various places throughout the village. Drive through it. The next village, Murla, has a striking fortified church. You've now reached the Jalon Valley again.
You'll then drive through several villages, stopping in Teulada for a drink at the terrace of the Las Vegas bar on the square near the town hall. From there, it's just a short distance to Moraira. You can also stop to visit the Ermita de la Font Santa in the marshland between Teulada and Moraira. It's now a local pilgrimage site, complete with a picnic area and playground.
Park in the large parking lot in Moraira and then stroll along the promenade into the old town. The rest is self-explanatory.
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Valencia
About this region
The Valencian Community (Valencian: Comunitat Valenciana; Spanish: Comunidad Valenciana) is an autonomous community of Spain. It is the fourth most populous autonomous community after Andalusia, Catalonia and Madrid with more than five million inhabitants. Its homonymous capital Valencia is the third largest city and metropolitan area in Spain. It is located along the Mediterranean coast on the east side of the Iberian peninsula. It borders with Catalonia to the north, Aragon and Castilla–La Mancha to the west, and Murcia to the south. The Valencian Community consists of three provinces which are Castellón, Valencia and Alicante.
According to Valencia's Statute of Autonomy, the Valencian people are a nationality. Their origins date back to the Aragonese reconquest of the Moorish Taifa of Valencia, which was taken by James I of Aragon in 1238 during the Reconquista. The newly founded Kingdom of Valencia was granted wide self-government under the Crown of Aragon. Valencia experienced its golden age in the 15th century, as it became the Crown's economic capital. Self-government continued after the unification of the Spanish Kingdom, but was eventually suspended in 1707 by Phillip V of Spain as a result of the Spanish War of Succession. Valencian nationalism resurged towards the end of the 19th century, which led to the modern conception of the Valencian Country. Self-government under the Generalitat Valenciana was finally reestablished in 1982 after Spanish transition to democracy.
Many Valencian people speak Valencian, the region's own co-official language, also known as Catalan in other regions. Valencian was repressed and persecuted during Franco's dictatorship (1939–1975) in favor of Spanish. Since it regained official status in 1982 in the Valencian Statute of Autonomy, Valencian has been implemented in public administration and the education system, leading to an exponential increase in knowledge of its formal standard. According to the general survey from 2015, Valencian is understood by almost the entire population living within the Valencian Community and is spoken by a wide majority, but almost half of the population cannot write it. As of 2020, the population of the Valencian Community comprised 10.63% of the Spanish population.
Read more on Wikipedia
According to Valencia's Statute of Autonomy, the Valencian people are a nationality. Their origins date back to the Aragonese reconquest of the Moorish Taifa of Valencia, which was taken by James I of Aragon in 1238 during the Reconquista. The newly founded Kingdom of Valencia was granted wide self-government under the Crown of Aragon. Valencia experienced its golden age in the 15th century, as it became the Crown's economic capital. Self-government continued after the unification of the Spanish Kingdom, but was eventually suspended in 1707 by Phillip V of Spain as a result of the Spanish War of Succession. Valencian nationalism resurged towards the end of the 19th century, which led to the modern conception of the Valencian Country. Self-government under the Generalitat Valenciana was finally reestablished in 1982 after Spanish transition to democracy.
Many Valencian people speak Valencian, the region's own co-official language, also known as Catalan in other regions. Valencian was repressed and persecuted during Franco's dictatorship (1939–1975) in favor of Spanish. Since it regained official status in 1982 in the Valencian Statute of Autonomy, Valencian has been implemented in public administration and the education system, leading to an exponential increase in knowledge of its formal standard. According to the general survey from 2015, Valencian is understood by almost the entire population living within the Valencian Community and is spoken by a wide majority, but almost half of the population cannot write it. As of 2020, the population of the Valencian Community comprised 10.63% of the Spanish population.
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Route Collections in this region Visiting Morella Albarracin and Beceite from Cerdanyola through fantastic secondary roads
Visiting Morella Albarracín and Beceite from Cerdanyola through fantastic secondary roads
This collection of 4 routes runs through the interior of Castellón and Teruel where one of the main attractions is its beautiful secondary roads. Several charming towns and good delicacies await us at each stage:
The first day will take us to Morella. Morella is an extraordinary example of a Gothic city and has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. In the first place, its castle and medieval walls stand out, erected in the 14th century. Within the old enclosure, it has remarkable churches, such as the archpriest of Santa María la Mayor, Gothic (1263-1330), with baroque details; the old convent of San Francisco (13th century); the churches of San Juan, Gothic (15th century) with neoclassical decoration, and of San Nicolás, Gothic; and the hermitages of San Marcos and San Pedro Mártir. In civil architecture, it is worth mentioning the Casa de la Villa (14th and 17th centuries), the Ciurana, Piquer, Rovira and Cardenal Ram houses, as well as the Hospital (15th century). Likewise, strolling through the set of stepped streets and the arcades of Blasco de Alagón, taking the circular tour of the mountain along the Paseo de la Alameda and contemplating the medieval aqueduct of Santa Llúcia outside are essential proposals to get to know this city. Two points of interest stand out in the municipality of Morella: the cave paintings of Morella La Vella, and the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Vallirana. Every six years, since 1673, the Virgin is carried up in procession to the city. On the shoulders of the road there are numerous chapels where the pilgrims make prayers and prayers on their 22-kilometre march. Along the way we will enjoy the fantastic views from Fores and the strange sensation of crossing a wind farm.
The second day brings us closer to Albarracín, passing through the no less interesting Teruel. Albarracín is a unique place. Strolling through its streets, going through its wall and entering its monuments is like taking a trip to the Middle Ages. You will admire every corner, its reddish-colored houses, its doors and knockers, its tiny windows with lace curtains or its continuous balconies in rich wrought iron and carved wood. The beautiful architectural and urban legacy of Albarracín exudes charm and calm. You will admire every corner, its reddish-colored houses, its doors and knockers, its tiny windows with lace curtains, its continuous balconies in rich wrought iron and carved wood. Not to mention the wonderful views that you will get from its enviable location. The Plaza Mayor, where the Town Hall is located, is a good place to start your visit to this picturesque town, which is home to a number of interesting monuments and museums, such as the cathedral, the churches of Santiago and Santa María, the Casa- Noble Museum of the Pérez and Toyuela family, the Municipal Museum and the Diocesan Museum. If you go with children, don't miss the Toy Museum. If you want to enjoy the natural environment of Albarracín, you can take a pleasant walk along the Guadalaviar River and walk along the riverside promenade next to the meander excavated by the river as it passes through the town. I recommend you use the car parks at the entrance to the town and wear comfortable shoes to avoid the numerous slopes and stairs that you will find during your tour of Albarracín. Another attraction that Albarracín offers you is the Territorio Dinópolis branch dedicated to the world of fossils and prehistoric seas: Mar Nummus. Nearby is one of the most surprising landscape and cultural complexes in Aragon: the Rodeno Pinares Protected Landscape. The chromatic contrasts between the green of the pine forest and the red of the rodeno stone create a space of great color, strength and beauty. Excellent samples of Levantine rock art are preserved in its rocky shelters, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The best way to get to know Albarracín is, without a doubt, enjoying a guided tour of its streets and its most emblematic monuments. They are organized by the Fundación Santa María and also by the tourist services company El Andador.
For the third day, two exciting visits await us: Valderrobres and Beciete.
Valderrobres is the capital of the Matarraña region. Without a doubt, its presence in this list of the most beautiful towns in Teruel and in Spain is more than justified. Its enclave next to the ports of Beceite and the passage of the Matarraña River through the center of the municipality enhances the monumentality of Valderrobres. It overflows with architectural, cultural and artistic heritage, and in addition, its is located in a wonderful natural environment, the Matarraña River with the reflection of the Valderrobres stone bridge. The capital of Matarraña is located just half an hour from Alcañiz and three quarters of an hour from Tortosa or Morella. Access can only be done by roads, which are in perfect condition. Valderrobres is a medium-sized town with about 2,500 inhabitants. Here you will find restaurant services, accommodation, grocery stores where you can get your typical products and other types of establishments common in a county seat. There are abundant archaeological sites that allow us to know the Iberian origin of the town although, as in the case of Calaceite, the maximum splendor of the Teruel town took place in the Middle Ages. And it is that during the fifteenth century it even hosted several sessions of the Courts of the Kingdom of Aragon presided over by King Alfonso V. The magic of Valderrobres is located in its historic center. I recommend that you leave your vehicle in one of its authorized car parks and go on foot to the main access to the historic center. You will cross the stone bridge over the Matarraña River. From there you will discover the spectacular silhouette formed by the castle and the Church of Santa María in the center of the old town. On the stone bridge dates from the fifteenth century. There you will find the Portal de San Roque, a place where the pontazgo right was collected during the Middle Ages and from which you will access the Plaza de España. In the Plaza de España you will discover the magnificent building of the Town Hall. It is a 16th century building with a large fish market and typical of the Aragonese Renaissance, including an Aragonese gallery and a large eaves carved in wood with vegetal decoration. The rest of the buildings maintain the same medieval aesthetic. From that moment you will think you have gone back to that time. From there you must go to the top of the hill to visit the monumental complex made up of the castle and the church. You will do it through narrow and steep streets. Don't miss any detail. They will fascinate you! When you finish your ascent through the cobbled streets you will find one of the treasures of the visit. The Church of Santa María la Mayor. In addition to the impressive rose window, which you have been seeing from afar, its portal stands out. splendid! The Church, dating from the 14th century, has been recently restored. It is an Aragonese Levantine Gothic temple in which its ribbed vaults stand out. Right next to it is the castle. At the beginning of December 2021, its restoration has been completed and together with the church they form a unique heritage complex. Do not hesitate to visit the castle. The visit is well worth it. Its spacious rooms will amaze you.
The final destination of this day is Beceite. The Ports of Beceite are a mountainous massif that separates the Ebro valley from the Mediterranean and extends between the provinces of Tarragona, Castellón and Teruel. Its steep mountains, pierced by numerous rivers and ravines, hide impressive places such as the Parrizal de Beceite, Las Rocas del Masmut, la Pesquera and the Salt de la Portellada. The best-known enclave is the Parrizal de Beceite, which offers a fantastic walk between stone walls and along the Matarraña riverbed itself. Entering the Parrizal is a fantastic experience, suitable for all ages given its ease. The route begins very close to Beceite and runs parallel to the Matarraña River. During the tour you will cross the river several times with the help of footbridges that will take you over small pools of transparent water. The path ends at Los Estrechos, where the river is channeled by vertiginous walls that reach an impossible width of 1.5 m. for 60 meters high and impressive stone needles known as Les Gubies. Keep in mind that access is regulated on weekends, bank holidays and high season. Another great attraction in the area is the Rocas del Masmut, an impressive reddish rock more than 100 meters high near Peñarroya de Tastavins, with a large colony of vultures. And do not forget to contemplate the beautiful 20-meter waterfall of El Salt, a few kilometers from the town of La Portellada. A great density of vegetation serves as a refuge for numerous animals, such as the Hispanic goat. Golden eagles, peregrine falcons and eagle owls also nest in this rugged landscape. The ravines pierced by crystal clear waters, among which the Pesquera and Escresala ravines stand out, with abundant native crabs and trout, are also the habitat of the dipper.
And as the end of this collection, following wonderful secondary roads, we will visit Horta de Sant Joan and Miravet.
Horta de Sant Joan is the tourist and cultural capital of La Terra Alta. This is a medieval town located on top of a 543 meter high hill. The The municipality is bounded to the south by Arnes, Paüls and Alfara de Carles, to the west by Lledó and Arenys de Lledó (Teruel), to the north by Caseres, Bot andto the east of Prat de Comte. Although the Ebro River does not pass through the Horta de SantJoan terminus, the Algars River which forms a dividing line between the province of Teruel in the western part, the river Estrets in the southern part of the term and the river Canaletes in the eastern part. All these rivers are tributaries or sub-tributaries of the Ebro River. The remains found indicate the uncertain origin of an Iberian settlement in the highest part. These lands were later conquered by Muslims and later by Christians. In the year 1174 the king ceded the town to the temple workers and they began a repopulation of Horta de Sant Joan, although it was not until the 19th century that there was significant growth.
Miravet is a fairly small town, but with several interesting places that are worth visiting. In half a day you can see almost everything, but if you can spend a little more time you will enjoy it much more. One of the must-sees is the Castle. Once at the visitor center we buy the tickets. The price is €5, although for students, youth card holders or retirees, among others, they have a €2 discount on the price. Summer opening hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., while in winter they close at 5:30 p.m., except for January and February, which close at 4:00 p.m. Inside the Miravet castle is a marvel and although it was partially destroyed during the Battle of the Ebro it is still well preserved.
Old Church: This church was built in the Renaissance period between the 16th and 17th centuries and remained abandoned for a long time until it was restored. Now it has become a cultural and historical monument of Miravet and quite an interesting visit. It is said that it was built where the old mosque from Muslim times might have previously been located. Inside you can see several permanent exhibitions on the history of Miravet or the Templars, among others. It is shaped like a cross and highlights a dome with sgraffito with a hole from a bomb impact during the Battle of the Ebro, in the midst of the Civil War. Also, there is a stone table made by the Templars in the 12th century and that was originally from the castle, until it was transferred to the church around 1750.
Historic center of Miravet: After visiting the church, you can discover the old quarter of the town, where there are very pretty corners and cobbled houses that we love. In the center of Miravet we can find outstanding buildings such as the Old Mill, the Portal del Motxi or the Palacio del Comendador. We continued walking through the old town until we reached the Plaza del Arenal (where we had parked). It is one of the best known and surprising activities that can be done in Miravet. In reality, it is nothing more than reaching the river and getting the car on a boat to cross it, in this way you reach the opposite side. But it is very surprising and people do it because it is the last boat crossing on the entire Ebro that works without a motor. An experience that will not leave you indifferent! The price for crossing to the other side of the river is €3 per vehicle, you can also cross without a car for €1 per person. Although crossing without a car does not make much sense, since on the other side of the river there is nothing until a few kilometers further on. But you can walk a bit along the path that runs alongside the Ebro. Hours are from 09:00 to 19:00, although in winter they close an hour earlier. If you have seen any photos of Miravet, it is probably from the pier. It is the best place to see the panorama of the town and from where you will also have the best views of the castle. We sat on the pier to have a snack while we enjoyed the tranquility of the place and the beautiful views. If you go at sunset you will have a beautiful sunset and the reflection of the views in the water, a perfect plan!
The 4 routes that make up this collection are:
1.- Cerdanyola to Morella. About 350 kms with 8 hours of duration
2.- From Morella to Albarracin visiting Teruel. 180 km with about 4.5 hours of duration.
3.- From Albarracin to Valderrobres and Beceite. 227 kms with a little less than 5 hours of duration
4.- From Beceite to Cerdanyola visiting Horta de Sant Joan and Miravet. 250 kms and just over 8 hours long.
This collection of 4 routes runs through the interior of Castellón and Teruel where one of the main attractions is its beautiful secondary roads. Several charming towns and good delicacies await us at each stage:
The first day will take us to Morella. Morella is an extraordinary example of a Gothic city and has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. In the first place, its castle and medieval walls stand out, erected in the 14th century. Within the old enclosure, it has remarkable churches, such as the archpriest of Santa María la Mayor, Gothic (1263-1330), with baroque details; the old convent of San Francisco (13th century); the churches of San Juan, Gothic (15th century) with neoclassical decoration, and of San Nicolás, Gothic; and the hermitages of San Marcos and San Pedro Mártir. In civil architecture, it is worth mentioning the Casa de la Villa (14th and 17th centuries), the Ciurana, Piquer, Rovira and Cardenal Ram houses, as well as the Hospital (15th century). Likewise, strolling through the set of stepped streets and the arcades of Blasco de Alagón, taking the circular tour of the mountain along the Paseo de la Alameda and contemplating the medieval aqueduct of Santa Llúcia outside are essential proposals to get to know this city. Two points of interest stand out in the municipality of Morella: the cave paintings of Morella La Vella, and the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Vallirana. Every six years, since 1673, the Virgin is carried up in procession to the city. On the shoulders of the road there are numerous chapels where the pilgrims make prayers and prayers on their 22-kilometre march. Along the way we will enjoy the fantastic views from Fores and the strange sensation of crossing a wind farm.
The second day brings us closer to Albarracín, passing through the no less interesting Teruel. Albarracín is a unique place. Strolling through its streets, going through its wall and entering its monuments is like taking a trip to the Middle Ages. You will admire every corner, its reddish-colored houses, its doors and knockers, its tiny windows with lace curtains or its continuous balconies in rich wrought iron and carved wood. The beautiful architectural and urban legacy of Albarracín exudes charm and calm. You will admire every corner, its reddish-colored houses, its doors and knockers, its tiny windows with lace curtains, its continuous balconies in rich wrought iron and carved wood. Not to mention the wonderful views that you will get from its enviable location. The Plaza Mayor, where the Town Hall is located, is a good place to start your visit to this picturesque town, which is home to a number of interesting monuments and museums, such as the cathedral, the churches of Santiago and Santa María, the Casa- Noble Museum of the Pérez and Toyuela family, the Municipal Museum and the Diocesan Museum. If you go with children, don't miss the Toy Museum. If you want to enjoy the natural environment of Albarracín, you can take a pleasant walk along the Guadalaviar River and walk along the riverside promenade next to the meander excavated by the river as it passes through the town. I recommend you use the car parks at the entrance to the town and wear comfortable shoes to avoid the numerous slopes and stairs that you will find during your tour of Albarracín. Another attraction that Albarracín offers you is the Territorio Dinópolis branch dedicated to the world of fossils and prehistoric seas: Mar Nummus. Nearby is one of the most surprising landscape and cultural complexes in Aragon: the Rodeno Pinares Protected Landscape. The chromatic contrasts between the green of the pine forest and the red of the rodeno stone create a space of great color, strength and beauty. Excellent samples of Levantine rock art are preserved in its rocky shelters, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The best way to get to know Albarracín is, without a doubt, enjoying a guided tour of its streets and its most emblematic monuments. They are organized by the Fundación Santa María and also by the tourist services company El Andador.
For the third day, two exciting visits await us: Valderrobres and Beciete.
Valderrobres is the capital of the Matarraña region. Without a doubt, its presence in this list of the most beautiful towns in Teruel and in Spain is more than justified. Its enclave next to the ports of Beceite and the passage of the Matarraña River through the center of the municipality enhances the monumentality of Valderrobres. It overflows with architectural, cultural and artistic heritage, and in addition, its is located in a wonderful natural environment, the Matarraña River with the reflection of the Valderrobres stone bridge. The capital of Matarraña is located just half an hour from Alcañiz and three quarters of an hour from Tortosa or Morella. Access can only be done by roads, which are in perfect condition. Valderrobres is a medium-sized town with about 2,500 inhabitants. Here you will find restaurant services, accommodation, grocery stores where you can get your typical products and other types of establishments common in a county seat. There are abundant archaeological sites that allow us to know the Iberian origin of the town although, as in the case of Calaceite, the maximum splendor of the Teruel town took place in the Middle Ages. And it is that during the fifteenth century it even hosted several sessions of the Courts of the Kingdom of Aragon presided over by King Alfonso V. The magic of Valderrobres is located in its historic center. I recommend that you leave your vehicle in one of its authorized car parks and go on foot to the main access to the historic center. You will cross the stone bridge over the Matarraña River. From there you will discover the spectacular silhouette formed by the castle and the Church of Santa María in the center of the old town. On the stone bridge dates from the fifteenth century. There you will find the Portal de San Roque, a place where the pontazgo right was collected during the Middle Ages and from which you will access the Plaza de España. In the Plaza de España you will discover the magnificent building of the Town Hall. It is a 16th century building with a large fish market and typical of the Aragonese Renaissance, including an Aragonese gallery and a large eaves carved in wood with vegetal decoration. The rest of the buildings maintain the same medieval aesthetic. From that moment you will think you have gone back to that time. From there you must go to the top of the hill to visit the monumental complex made up of the castle and the church. You will do it through narrow and steep streets. Don't miss any detail. They will fascinate you! When you finish your ascent through the cobbled streets you will find one of the treasures of the visit. The Church of Santa María la Mayor. In addition to the impressive rose window, which you have been seeing from afar, its portal stands out. splendid! The Church, dating from the 14th century, has been recently restored. It is an Aragonese Levantine Gothic temple in which its ribbed vaults stand out. Right next to it is the castle. At the beginning of December 2021, its restoration has been completed and together with the church they form a unique heritage complex. Do not hesitate to visit the castle. The visit is well worth it. Its spacious rooms will amaze you.
The final destination of this day is Beceite. The Ports of Beceite are a mountainous massif that separates the Ebro valley from the Mediterranean and extends between the provinces of Tarragona, Castellón and Teruel. Its steep mountains, pierced by numerous rivers and ravines, hide impressive places such as the Parrizal de Beceite, Las Rocas del Masmut, la Pesquera and the Salt de la Portellada. The best-known enclave is the Parrizal de Beceite, which offers a fantastic walk between stone walls and along the Matarraña riverbed itself. Entering the Parrizal is a fantastic experience, suitable for all ages given its ease. The route begins very close to Beceite and runs parallel to the Matarraña River. During the tour you will cross the river several times with the help of footbridges that will take you over small pools of transparent water. The path ends at Los Estrechos, where the river is channeled by vertiginous walls that reach an impossible width of 1.5 m. for 60 meters high and impressive stone needles known as Les Gubies. Keep in mind that access is regulated on weekends, bank holidays and high season. Another great attraction in the area is the Rocas del Masmut, an impressive reddish rock more than 100 meters high near Peñarroya de Tastavins, with a large colony of vultures. And do not forget to contemplate the beautiful 20-meter waterfall of El Salt, a few kilometers from the town of La Portellada. A great density of vegetation serves as a refuge for numerous animals, such as the Hispanic goat. Golden eagles, peregrine falcons and eagle owls also nest in this rugged landscape. The ravines pierced by crystal clear waters, among which the Pesquera and Escresala ravines stand out, with abundant native crabs and trout, are also the habitat of the dipper.
And as the end of this collection, following wonderful secondary roads, we will visit Horta de Sant Joan and Miravet.
Horta de Sant Joan is the tourist and cultural capital of La Terra Alta. This is a medieval town located on top of a 543 meter high hill. The The municipality is bounded to the south by Arnes, Paüls and Alfara de Carles, to the west by Lledó and Arenys de Lledó (Teruel), to the north by Caseres, Bot andto the east of Prat de Comte. Although the Ebro River does not pass through the Horta de SantJoan terminus, the Algars River which forms a dividing line between the province of Teruel in the western part, the river Estrets in the southern part of the term and the river Canaletes in the eastern part. All these rivers are tributaries or sub-tributaries of the Ebro River. The remains found indicate the uncertain origin of an Iberian settlement in the highest part. These lands were later conquered by Muslims and later by Christians. In the year 1174 the king ceded the town to the temple workers and they began a repopulation of Horta de Sant Joan, although it was not until the 19th century that there was significant growth.
Miravet is a fairly small town, but with several interesting places that are worth visiting. In half a day you can see almost everything, but if you can spend a little more time you will enjoy it much more. One of the must-sees is the Castle. Once at the visitor center we buy the tickets. The price is €5, although for students, youth card holders or retirees, among others, they have a €2 discount on the price. Summer opening hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., while in winter they close at 5:30 p.m., except for January and February, which close at 4:00 p.m. Inside the Miravet castle is a marvel and although it was partially destroyed during the Battle of the Ebro it is still well preserved.
Old Church: This church was built in the Renaissance period between the 16th and 17th centuries and remained abandoned for a long time until it was restored. Now it has become a cultural and historical monument of Miravet and quite an interesting visit. It is said that it was built where the old mosque from Muslim times might have previously been located. Inside you can see several permanent exhibitions on the history of Miravet or the Templars, among others. It is shaped like a cross and highlights a dome with sgraffito with a hole from a bomb impact during the Battle of the Ebro, in the midst of the Civil War. Also, there is a stone table made by the Templars in the 12th century and that was originally from the castle, until it was transferred to the church around 1750.
Historic center of Miravet: After visiting the church, you can discover the old quarter of the town, where there are very pretty corners and cobbled houses that we love. In the center of Miravet we can find outstanding buildings such as the Old Mill, the Portal del Motxi or the Palacio del Comendador. We continued walking through the old town until we reached the Plaza del Arenal (where we had parked). It is one of the best known and surprising activities that can be done in Miravet. In reality, it is nothing more than reaching the river and getting the car on a boat to cross it, in this way you reach the opposite side. But it is very surprising and people do it because it is the last boat crossing on the entire Ebro that works without a motor. An experience that will not leave you indifferent! The price for crossing to the other side of the river is €3 per vehicle, you can also cross without a car for €1 per person. Although crossing without a car does not make much sense, since on the other side of the river there is nothing until a few kilometers further on. But you can walk a bit along the path that runs alongside the Ebro. Hours are from 09:00 to 19:00, although in winter they close an hour earlier. If you have seen any photos of Miravet, it is probably from the pier. It is the best place to see the panorama of the town and from where you will also have the best views of the castle. We sat on the pier to have a snack while we enjoyed the tranquility of the place and the beautiful views. If you go at sunset you will have a beautiful sunset and the reflection of the views in the water, a perfect plan!
The 4 routes that make up this collection are:
1.- Cerdanyola to Morella. About 350 kms with 8 hours of duration
2.- From Morella to Albarracin visiting Teruel. 180 km with about 4.5 hours of duration.
3.- From Albarracin to Valderrobres and Beceite. 227 kms with a little less than 5 hours of duration
4.- From Beceite to Cerdanyola visiting Horta de Sant Joan and Miravet. 250 kms and just over 8 hours long.
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A 5-route, 5-day tour of Peniscola, Aranjuez, Toledo, Consuegra, Molinos, Merida, Avila, Segovia, seguiranza and Barcelona, taking in these sites will immerse you in the rich history and culture of Spain. From stunning medieval fortresses to charming windmill villages, you will pass through picturesque roads enjoying the exquisite local cuisine and natural beauty that each place has to offer. It will be an unforgettable experience full of discoveries and unforgettable moments. Definitely a trip worth taking!
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