Cortes De Pallás on the Júcar: Nature, Trails and Castles

Cortes De Pallás lies along the Júcar River and combines hiking trails, a reservoir landscape, waterfalls and historic structures within a compact thematic area.

Hiking and Water on the Júcar

The SL-CV 13 circular hiking trail, the Senda de Cavanilles, begins and ends in Cortes de Pallás. The route is 8.5 kilometres long and has a moderate difficulty level. It passes through a Valencian hunting reserve as well as LIC and ZEPA areas belonging to the Natura 2000 network.

The GR 7 long-distance hiking trail crosses the municipality of Cortes de Pallás from north to south. It passes over the Sierra Martés-Albeitar and then follows the Júcar to the summit of Caroig.

A tourist river route on the Júcar runs between Cofrentes and Cortes de Pallás across 14 kilometres of the Cortes reservoir. The different route lengths and landscapes help you compare active days by distance and focus.

Nature Between Cascades and the Reservoir

The Barranco de la Barbulla, also known as the Arroyo de Cortes, is a trail with cascades and small waterfalls. These include El Corbinet, the Tres Cascadas, the Cascada de la Cueva el Tejedor and the Cascadas del Manantial de San Vicente.

Las Pozas del Ral are pools formed by river erosion. Los Chorradores de Otonel consist of a series of continuous waterfalls that flow into the Júcar.

A national big-game hunting reserve is located on the Muela de Cortes. Ibex and mouflon inhabit the steep cliffs on the right bank of the reservoir.

At the jetty of the Embalse de Cortes de Pallás, it is possible to rent kayaks and take a boat trip on the reservoir in spring and summer.

Cueva Hermosa has numerous chambers and an underground water source. As a karst cave, it features stalactites and stalagmites. Complete exploration requires caving expertise and more than five hours.

Castles and Local History

Castillo de la Pileta is open to visitors. The former Moorish fortress stands in the centre of Cortes de Pallás; the remains of two towers with square floor plans have been preserved.

Castillo de Chirel was built in the Middle Ages to control traffic along the Júcar. Despite its ruined state, the double curtain wall, the cistern and the main tower are still recognisable.

Castillo de Chirel rises above the Júcar Canyon and can be reached via a hiking trail suitable for the whole family.

The hamlet of Otonel contains the remains of a former Muslim castle, including a tower and traces of an earlier stretch of wall. Castillo de Ruaya is a Muslim castle that once controlled the routes into the Ayora Valley; its watchtower remains standing but has deteriorated over the years.

The parish church of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles in Cortes de Pallás was built in 1775. The Palace of the Baron of Cortes de Pallás is an 18th-century Baroque building.

Local Impressions and Other Places

In the hamlet of Venta Gaeta, you can sample traditionally produced local sausages and meat.

Other places to discover for yourself include Albaida, La Pobla Del Duc, Macastre, Llanera de Ranes, Gandía, Pinet, Villalonga and La Cuevarruz.

Cortes de Pallás has a tourist information office.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Valencia.