Walking Holidays in Valencia
Valencia is fast becoming a hot destination for international travellers.
Spain’s third largest city has recently played host to a number of high profile
sporting events, including the European Formula One Grand Prix, sailing’s
America’s Cup, Moto GP, the European Indoor Athletics Finals and show jumping’s
Global Champions Tour.
As well as providing a spectacular backdrop to such occasions, visitors are
immediately struck by the wide-ranging outdoor pursuits Valencia has to offer.
And it is no coincide that the Valencia Tourist Board has decided to heavily to
promote rural tourism in the region.
Flanked to the east by the beautiful sandy beaches of the Mediterranean,
Valencia is home to some of Spain’s most breathtaking and diverse mountain
ranges, earning the region the title of “Spain’s special secret” and making it
an increasingly popular destination for walking holidays. Whether it’s the
rugged limestone ranges to the south with their far reaching sea views; the
dramatic inland gorges and canyons in the west, or the softer sandstone ranges
of the north, the region offers walkers a variety of stunning landscapes
unmatched in other parts of Spain.
- The rich green pine valleys of the Valle de la Murta and the Valle de la
Casella are a real walker’s paradise. Just a short distance from the city of
Valencia, visitors can step into a tranquil world of swooping valleys and jagged
mountain peaks, with far reaching views of fertile paddy fields that merge in to
the sea. A wealth of historic monuments, caves and monasteries dating as far
back as the 14th century sprinkle this already picturesque area, which is ideal
for walker of all grades.
- A short drive inland takes you to the deep gorges carved out by the rivers
Turia, Jucar and Cabriel. Following the winding course of the riverbed, shadowed
by the sharp rock formations of the needles of the Cabriel, you arrive at the
historical town of Requena dating back to the times of El Cid. Puncturing by the
rich soils of Valencia’s wine growing territory are mountain peaks reaching
1,250 metres.
- To the north of Valencia, a distinctive Moorish influence creeps into the
whitewashed villages hidden deep in the valleys of the Sierra Espadan.
Considered by locals to be the most scenic mountain range in the Valencia
region, you will never tire of exploring this 60km stretch of paradise. Clothed
with cork oaks and pine trees and irrigated by hundreds of natural springs, each
peak offers stunning views of the valleys below.
Lying within alluvial planes that merge seamlessly into the sea and surrounded
by the Iberian and Baetic mountains, the city of Valencia itself offers a wealth
of options for walkers. For those who prefer a gentle ramble, the former river
bed of the Turia that runs through the heart of the city has been transformed in
to a 9km long park, stretching from the world famous City of Arts and Sciences
at one end to the African Bio Park – Europe’s most avant-garde zoo – at the
other. The journey takes you past the dancing fountains of the Palau de la
Musica, the enormous statue of Gulliver and majestic bridges designed by local
architect Santiago Calatrava. Alternatively, you may prefer to immerse yourself
in nature by taking a scenic stroll along the salty sand dunes of the Albufera
natural park to the fishing village of El Palmar, where you can round off a
perfect day with a traditional Valencian paella. The sheer variety on offer in
the Valencia region makes it an ideal location for a healthy walking holiday.
For guided and self-guided walking holidays in the Valencia region including
Fallas Special Walking weeks, we recommend travelling with
www.walksinspain.com. Based from
traditional rustic farmhouses in strategic locations, Walks in Spain holidays
offer an ideal way to explore the Valencia area. |
