Castelló de Rugat: Nature Trails, Ceramics and History

The Sierra de Castelló de Rugat is a limestone- and rock-dominated landscape and forms part of the eastern foothills of the Benicadell. The signposted Ruta de los Barrancos begins in the centre of Castelló de Rugat. The Ruta de los Barrancos passes through a geologically interesting landscape with wildlife and wild vegetation.

Nature

The Ruta de la Sierra begins at the sports centre. The Ruta de la Font Nova takes approximately one hour there and back and can be completed entirely by mountain bike. The Ruta de la Font de l’Estaca is designed as a half-day tour; on foot, it takes approximately four hours at a leisurely pace. Its route passes through terraced land and by centuries-old olive trees before reaching the Font de l’Estaca.

The Ruta del Mirador del Águila takes approximately five hours there and back. The Mirador del Águila is located at 781 m above sea level and is considered an area where golden eagles fly over the mountain slopes and can be observed. Another signposted route from Castelló de Rugat runs for approximately 6 km between fruit trees, olive groves and vegetable gardens and passes under the CV-60 road. The different starting points, route lengths and approximate walking times help you compare the trails according to the desired length of your day.

Culture

The Llavador is a 19th-century washhouse in a restored 16th-century building. La Mesquita retains its central rectangular prayer room with two naves and six tiled vaults, as well as details of the glazed decoration on the walls and pillars.

The Museu de la Gerra Evarist Navarro displays handmade jugs of various sizes, as well as other earthenware objects formerly used for everyday purposes in the former Palau dels Borja. A cultural ceramics workshop is held at the Museu de la Gerra from October onwards. The Porrat de Sant Antoni, held annually at the Ermita on the first Sunday after 15 January and also known as Sant Antoni Abad or Sant Antoni del porquet, includes a pilgrimage procession, the blessing of the animals and the distribution of blessed bread.

History

The palace was built by the Bellvís family in the 14th century and improved by the Borja family in the 16th century, who used it as their regular residence. The oldest pottery kiln in the town is an example of industrial archaeology and dates from the 18th century. The Ruta de la Font Nova passes by the Nevera dels Racons. This is linked to an once-important ice-related economic activity that continued until the beginning of the 20th century.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Castelló de Rugat, you can compare travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions side by side on the respective offer pages. This information structures the comparison of different booking options around your own travel plans.

Other destinations you may also wish to consider: Carlet, Simat de la Valldigna, Navalón, Campo Olivar, Bocairent, Benagéber, Barrio Arroyo and Pinet.

For the broader travel overview: Valencia.