Hiking.. A sport that is getting more and more popular. Everyone is taking walks right now. Also to discover new places, but hiking is a lot more adventurous! The walking off the paths can be an exciting way to see more of the nature. Would you like to discover the beautiful nature of Valencia during a hike? Just outside the city you will find beautiful landscapes, Tours Valencia described them for you.
What most of the tourists don’t know is that the region around Valencia offers a large and diverse landscape. First of all, there is the amazing coastline with a lot of beautiful beaches and palm gloves. Second there is the bracing farmland of oranges and beautiful wineries. And last but not least you can find exceptional hills and mountains with rocky peaks, lovely pine-tree forests and gorgeous canyons if you go a little bit inland. This big diversity of the countryside is the reason why hiking in the surroundings of Valencia becomes such an extraordinary experience.
Head for the hills
The area immediately surrounding Valencia may be mostly flat, but mountain lovers won’t be disappointed, because there are plenty of scenic spots to explore on foot. These mountain ranges are easiest to reach by car, but public transport can also get you there.
We’ve rounded up some of the best hiking destinations near Valencia to inspire your next outdoor adventure!
Serra Calderona
Just 25 kilometres from Valencia, the Serra Calderona Natural Park offers the perfect mountain escape. Covering over 17.000 hectares, most of its peaks rise under 1000 metres, but don’t be fooled. Because the surrounding land is much lower, the views are spectacular. From the trails you can spot the skyline of Valencia, gaze over the shimmering Mediterranean Sea, and on clear days even catch a glimpse of the distant Montgó Mountains near Dénia.
The park is crisscrossed with hiking routes, from short scenic loops to longer adventures.
A great starting point is the village of Serra, right in the heart of the mountains. Looking for a short but rewarding hike? The trail to Castell de Serra is a must. This ancient castle ruin sits proudly on a hilltop next to the village. A well-marked path takes you there in about 45 minutes, where panoramic views reward your climb.
If you’re travelling by public transport and don’t need to loop back, continue your hike towards Mirador del Garbí, arguably the most famous lookout point in the region. From here you’ll enjoy jaw-dropping vistas of Sagunto, Valencia, and the Mediterranean. After a well-deserved break on this rocky viewpoint, descend in about an hour to Estivella-Albalat train station, where you can catch a train or bus back to Valencia.
For more hiking routes and maps in the Serra Calderona mountains, check out this page.
Getting There
By car, you’ll reach Serra in about 40 minutes. Travelling by public transport? It’s surprisingly easy: take Metro line 1 to Bétera, then hop on bus 230 to Serra (check the bus company’s site for the latest schedule).
If your hike ends or starts at Estivella-Albalat station and you want to continue by bus, be sure to check the bus timetable from the station. For train times, visit the official RENFE website.
Chera-sot de chera
This natural park holds a surprise you might not expect when you think of Valencia’s surroundings: deep canyons carved into striking red-orange rock formations. These dramatic landscapes were shaped by the winding Turia River, which has created a miniature version of the Grand Canyon right here in Valencia’s backyard.
The Chera-Sot de Chera Natural Park is a paradise for hikers and climbers alike. Picture yourself walking through rolling, moon-like terrain, gazing up at towering rock walls, and passing by serene reservoir lakes such as Embalse de Loriguilla and Embalse del Buseo. The mountain village of Chulilla is especially famous for its dramatic cliffs and attracts climbers from around the world.
One of the best hikes with only mild elevation changes, is the loop from Chulilla to Embalse de Loriguilla and back via an alternate route. Along the way you’ll cross suspension bridges, wander through narrow canyons, and enjoy incredible views over the reservoir. Keep your eyes peeled: you’ll often spot dozens of climbers hanging from the cliffs above you.
Another fantastic starting point is the charming village of Gestalgar, its picturesque location alone makes it worth a visit before you set off on your hike.
Getting There
By car, it takes about one hour to reach Gestalgar or Chulilla. Public transport is trickier due to infrequent bus service. Bus 145 (Edetania) goes to Gestalgar, and Hispano Chelvana serves Chulilla. Alternatively, you can take Metro line 2 to Llíria and continue by taxi from there (around €30).
Vias Verdes
Vias Verdes, in other words the ‘Green Ways’, consists of hiking and biking tracks all over Spain. Also near Valencia are some tracks of the Vias Verdes. A train rails used to be on the same spot as where the Vias Verdes are nowadays. The rails disappeared after a long time of not using it, and then they decided to make it into hiking and biking tracks. All tracks are easily accessible as they are flat and even. For some areas it is even possible to have a guided visit. Take a look at the website of Vias Verdes for more information about the surroundings, walking routes and guided visits.
Montanejos
Nearby Valencia is Montanejos located. Montanejos is a wonderful little medieval village with a few hot springs and it’s a perfect place to hike. When you’re in Montanejos you can show your sporty you. The village is located in a mountain landscape, so it’s ideal for walking and cycling, but especially for hiking. Take a look at the website of Ayuntamiento de Montanejos for different walking routes. Montanejos is located a one hour drive from Valencia, so you can get to Montanejos with your own car or you can rent a car. Another option is to take the taxi. And don’t forget, it’s really recommended to jump into the hot springs! The water is still around 25 degrees in October. Take a look at this page for more information.
Tips
- Make sure you’ve good and sporty shoes on.
- Always bring enough water with you. Hiking can take a few hours and it can be really hot in Spain!
- You’d better not go for a hike in the midday, because around two and three o’clock it’s the hottest moment of the day. It’s better when you go in the morning.
- It’s recommended to hike in the autumn. It’s a bit colder and walking through the mountains and forests in autumn is really beautiful, because of the yellow and red leaves.