Nature

Routes

From Puçol you can access the GR-10 footpath, that finishes in Lisbon, the Ruta del Cid, the Ruta del Agua, the Via Verde and the Via Augusta routes: a wide range of options for all type of tourism

GR-10 European long-distance footpath

Did you know that the Mediterranean and the Atlantic are connected via a GR long-distance footpath, GR-10, that links Puçol with Lisbon? In Puçol the starting point for this route is La Costera natural park, and it is the longest path in the peninsula, covering 1600 km. The path is integrated in the European Network of Long-Distance Paths.

The way starts in Puçol, on the Mediterranean coast, and goes through the Sierra Calderona mountain range, passing through Segart, Serra and Gátova. The total length of the path going through the Region of Valencia is 112 km (125km to Abejuela); of these, 74km lie within the province of Valencia and 38 within the province of Castellón. The GR-10 path, European E7, is part of the European Network of Long-Distance Paths. These 1,600 km that lie between Puçol and Lisbon connect the two seas that enclose the peninsula.

The GR (Gran Recorrido) Long-Distance Paths are a European network of footpaths covering Spain and part of Europe, including mainly paths, footpaths, trails, tracks, and in some locations, roads. It is possible to cross Spain in different directions, journey through France or wander around Europe following these paths --what an adventure!

Making the most of the quantity and variety of these paths, we can enjoy walking along these routes and discovering different parts of Spain. In our region we have, among others, the GR 36, an iconic and relatively easy footpath that crosses the Sierra de Espadán range, starting in Montanejos and reaching Vilavella, or the other way round, all within the province of Castellón, which is said to be the second most mountainous province in Spain by those in the know. This GR is also known as the Trans-Espadan.

Via Augusta

The Via Augusta is slightly shorter, covering 1500 km in total. This Roman road connected the Pyrenees with Cadiz, and is perfectly way-marked as it goes through Puçol. It is currently mostly a paved route, and it extends over 425 km in the Region of Valencia, a significant amount of this route lying within 25 km of the Mediterranean sea.

The Via Augusta was the longest road in all Hispania, reaching from the Pyrenees and bordering the Mediterranean sea as far as Cadiz, in the south of Spain. Although many of its original sections are now roads and are not walkable, if you wish to follow part of this route you can walk along sections that coincide with the old itinerary.

This Roman road links at least 96 monuments. It forms part of the European Union ‘Roman Roads in the Mediterranean’ initiative, and besides a wealth of cultural attractions, also offers stunning landscapes that you can enjoy on foot, by bike, or on horseback. Choose your preferred sections or create a personalized route, the even level of this way makes walking easy. Moreover, the mild Mediterranean climate makes it possible to follow this journey practically any time of year.

You will come across the remains of mansions, bridges and triumphal arches such as that of Cabanes (Castellón), in an unforgettable journey that will take you through locations like Jávea and Elche (Alicante) or Sagunto (Valencia), where you can visit its Roman Theatre, approximately 9 kilometres from Puçol. Fruit orchards, especially orange groves, will accompany you along the way. Furthermore, you cannot miss the magnificent landscapes surrounding the Via Augusta, such as Las Palmas Desert in Castellón, or the nature reserves of Albufera in Valencia and Carrascal de la Font Roja in Alicante.

Via Verde

Literally ‘Green Way’, also known as the ‘Via Xurra’ or ‘cholesterol way’, the Via Verde follows the old tracks of the mining railway line that used to run between Valencia and Calatayud. It is a quiet route through the farmlands between Valencia and Puçol, running for a total distance of 15 km.

The Central de Aragón Railway Company built the Valencia-Puçol line in 1901, the first section of a more ambitious line that would connect Calatayud and Zaragoza via Teruel. This railway company was awarded the tender in 1887, although the original project was limited to a 133 km line between Calatayud and Teruel. A year later the tender was extended to reach Valencia through the Palencia valley, however, seven more years would go by before any works were carried out.

Finally, in 1894, the Belgians come to our country and provided the necessary capital to build the railway line. Construction works started immediately and were finished seven years later. Thus, two different broad-gauge rail lines co-existed in northern part of Valencia, running practically parallel: the Central de Aragón line (along which the Via Verde currently runs between Puçol and Valencia), and the line belonging to the Compañía del Norte, going from Valencia to Castellón.

This situation continued unchanged until the creation of RENFE (Spanish National Rail) in 1941. It then became apparent that this double track, now belonging to a single company, was not very logical, and traffic was gradually diverted to the Northern line.

In 1968 the railway line was closed and the Valencia-Alameda station was demolished, leaving only the Cabanyal connection in operation as a back-up to the main line. Nonetheless, once a double track started operating on the main line, the Via Xurra was considered useless and it was definitively closed and later dismantled in 1985.

After lying forgotten for over a decade, the Department of Public Works, Urban Development and Transport of the Regional Government of Valencia, decided to recover this route converting it into a cycle lane, which provides an independent accessible route for walkers and cyclists to the L’Horta Nord district removed from the busy roads of this area.

Ruta del Agua (Water Way)

The Ruta del Agua is a local short-distance path over flat land, that combines nature and culture. It runs through the historic town centre and along the banks of the Chelva river. The duration of the route is approximately three hours long and it shows us the different uses of water locally: for drinking water, irrigation, milling, generating electricity etc.

It follows the water’s course throughout the irrigation canals built in different historic periods, which were a masterpiece of engineering that made it possible to dry the old Marjal of Puçol and convert this wetland into agricultural land, benefitting from natural water springs.

Ruta del Cid (the Cid’s Way)

Last of all, the Ruta del Cid (the Cid’s Way), which connects Burgos and Valencia, passing through Guadalajara and Teruel, also crosses the municipality of Puçol. The town thus becomes an adventure crossroads for travellers who wish to follow in history’s steps.

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