Beceite: Parrizal Footbridges, Matarraña and History

The Parrizal Footbridges route in Beceite follows the Matarraña River upstream to its headwaters and is traversed exclusively on foot. Visitor numbers for the route are limited; each person requires an admission ticket, which includes individual insurance. Access to Parrizal includes a 1.6 km unpaved walking route there and back, a botanical trail and the La Fenellassa rock paintings; the walk is considered suitable for older visitors. Els Estrets del Parrissal is a gorge approximately 1.5 metres wide, 60 metres high and 200 metres long.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Beceite, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies based on the details of each offer. The stated route lengths, as well as the nature, cultural and mushroom-related themes, provide clear direction for your own travel-planning focus.

Nature and Trails

The first stage of the Matarraña–Algars Nature Trail begins near El Parrizal in the Puertos de Beceite, an area designated as an SCI and SPA, and follows the upper Matarraña to Beceite. The section along the upper river from El Parrizal to the Puertos de Beceite has walkways and safety cables, but may partly require walking in the riverbed and should therefore only be undertaken in suitable conditions. The stage reaches Beceite via the aqueduct of the Acequia Mayor, passes the Ermita de Santa Ana and two bridges, and ends near the tourist information office.

Part of Beceite’s municipal area has been a National Hunting Reserve since 1966; the Puertos is home to one of the most significant populations of Iberian ibex on the Iberian Peninsula. The rugged landscape around Beceite is suitable for mountain biking, climbing and horse riding. Outdoor activities in Beceite also include canyoning.

At Racó de Sant Antoni there is a viewpoint with information panels explaining the effects of the river and erosion on the mountain massif. At Font de la Rabosa in the centre of Beceite there are waterfalls and natural azuds. A 5 km route runs along the river; when arriving by vehicle, car parks can be used and paths taken to the natural pools. A 3 km paved path leads to the first natural pool, Toll de l’Olla.

Culture and History

The historic centre of Beceite was classified as an Asset of Cultural Interest in May 2007 because of its monumental heritage. It preserves four gateways from the former town fortifications: the Portal de la calle Llana, the Portal de Villanueva, the Portal de la Muralla and the Portal de Coll; some were converted into open chapels. The historic centre includes important medieval buildings and coats of arms preserved on some façades, including a commemorative inscription for Pedro Lope de Luna on the Gothic arch of San Gregorio.

The Portal de San Gregorio is an open chapel above a gate in Beceite’s town wall and has a pointed arch on the outside. The pointed arch bears an inverted crescent-moon coat of arms of Pedro López de Luna, the archbishop of Zaragoza. The Iglesia de San Bartolomé has a Baroque façade with a portal in two superimposed orders. Construction work on the church began in 1726 and ended with its consecration in 1735.

The Ermita de Santa Ana is a 17th-century chapel; its sacristy preserves Romanesque remains of an older structure. It has an atrium with three large semicircular arches and a slender stone bell gable with a single opening. The Puente de Piedra is a 16th-century bridge overlooking waterfalls on the Matarraña River.

The La Presoneta Visitor Centre is located in a former watchtower, prison and town gate dating from the 12th century. The Fábrica Noguera is a former paper mill from the 18th century.

Paper production in Beceite once included up to nine paper mills. Beceite’s paper mills were located on the Matarraña River, whose water was needed for paper production and provided energy to power the machinery via water wheels. Many former paper mills in Beceite were later converted into homes, hospitality and catering establishments, or exhibition halls. The Fábrica de papel del Pont Nou was built in 1899 and supplied paper for the production of playing cards for Heraclio Fournier.

More destinations

Jabaloyas, Valdelinares, Albalate Del Arzobispo, Martín Del Río, Villarquemado, Alcaine, Alcañiz and Calanda

Festivals and Mushroom Tradition

The Día dels Bolets includes guided mountain hikes for identifying mushrooms. The festival includes gastronomic tastings featuring mushroom dishes. The Día dels Bolets and the Mycological Days in Beceite take place in autumn, usually at the end of October, during mushroom season.

For the higher-level travel overview: Teruel.