Discover Altura: Vía Verde, Cartuja and culture

Trails and landscape

The Vía Verde de Ojos Negros runs through Altura along its section in the Valencian Community. It can be used on foot, by bicycle or in a wheelchair; individual ramps outside the original route are excluded. Altura also has cycling routes that start in or pass through the town, including mountain bike, gravel and road cycling routes. The Centre BTT Alto Palancia comprises nine mountain bike routes through a varied landscape where natural, cultural and heritage attractions are interconnected. Short trails, longer connections and different types of bicycles can be incorporated separately into your personal planning.

When considering a holiday apartment in Altura, you can first compare travel dates, category and cancellation policies on accommodation pages. You can then record your preferred combination of trails, cycling routes, landscape and culture as a separate planning framework.

Nature

The Palancia Valley borders Altura to the northeast, while the first foothills of the Sierra Calderona rise across the municipality to the southwest. The Barranco de la Mena contains natural karst pools in an unspoilt area. Two hiking trails classified as short regional routes cross large parts of the municipality of Altura, passing through natural landscapes and by springs. The Senda de los Cartujos is a trail restored as part of the Caminos de Valldecrist project, launched in 2009, and connected with the Cartuja de Valldecrist in Altura. A long-distance hiking trail crosses the municipality of Altura from the border area with Gátova to the Parque Natural Municipal La Torrecilla – Puntal de Navarrete.

Culture and history

The Cartuja de Valldecrist was founded at the end of the 14th century on land belonging to the municipality of Altura. In 2007, it was recognised as a Bien de Interés Cultural. At the Colección Museográfica Cartuja de Valldecrist, information panels display historical paintings, plans and photographs, as well as archaeological architectural elements and fragments from the former monastery. El Batán de Valldecrist was built at the end of the 15th century for the economic use of wool from the Carthusian herds.

The Iglesia Primitiva is a church built in the Valencian Gothic style over a former Muslim mosque. It is currently used as a venue for exhibitions, concerts, theatre and other events. An 18th-century building in the Neoclassical style preserves Baroque altarpieces from the Iglesia Mayor de Valldecrist dating from the 17th century. The Museo del Aceite contains historic equipment used to produce olive oil, including a stone mill, a stirring machine, a hydraulic press, ceramic jugs and various oil containers.

Festivals and visits

The Romería de Altura to the Santuario de la Cueva Santa takes place on the last Sunday in April and is recognised as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Provincial. Altura’s patron saint festivities take place on the last weekend of September in honour of San Miguel and the Virgen de Gracia. Visits to the Cartuja de Valldecrist can be booked through the Altura Tourist Office. Guided visits to the Museo del Aceite can be booked through the Altura Tourist Office.

Altura can be reached directly via the A-23, also known as the Autovía Mudéjar; the CV-25 road also runs from Llíria to Segorbe.

Other places at a glance: Aín, Tírig, Fredes, Vilar De Canes, La Pobla De Benifassà, Calig, Atzeneta del Maestrat, Sant Jordi

For the higher-level travel overview: Castellon.