The Silent Route
The regions of Maestrazgo and Andorra Sierra de Arcos share the route of the A-1702, a road that in itself is a tourist attraction. In just 60 kilometers, its winding route runs through some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes of the province of Teruel, gives access to incredible natural and heritage areas; it runs through villages with a long history and it is necessary to savor it calmly.
The route extends from the municipality of Gargallo, to the north, specifically from the Venta de la Pintada, to the municipality of Cantaviejato the south, before reaching the village, at the Puerto del Cuarto Pelado.
The Silent Route is a panoramic road where the important thing is to enjoy the environment and drive slowly to feel the grandeur of the landscapes, stop at each village, at each road widening and be moved by this natural spectacle. In short, practice “slowdriving“, slow driving, and let yourself be caught by all the sensations offered by the road. The low traffic and the silence will allow you to enjoy the route, no matter which vehicle you use.
What to do in The Silent Route
To enjoy The Silent Route experience to the fullest, you have to go beyond the road. Discover the towns it passes through, their history and culture, the gastronomy and products of the area, enjoy the views offered by the viewpoints, stop at the rest areas…
The villages that The Silent Route connects hide a rich cultural heritage through which you can learn about their history. In addition, you can stop to renew your energy tasting the gastronomy and products of the area in the different establishments.
If you are a driving enthusiast, you will enjoy every stretch of the road, but you should also stop at the viewpoints of the viewpoints to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding natural landscape. Not only in those that are on the road, but also in those that hide the villages and those that divert you a little from the route. We recommend you visit the Balcón de los Forasteros, the viewpoint of Peña Capitán, that of the Organs of Montoro, the of Valloré, that of the Sarteneja, that of Peñarrubia, the maccessible irador of Cañada, that of San Cristóbal and that of Cuarto Pelado.
The Silent Route also has a place for bicycle enthusiasts. Along the route you will find several mountain passes that are a paradise for cycling lovers: the Órganos de Montoro (948 m.), and Villarluengo (1,130 m.), both on the A-1702, and Cuarto Pelado ( almost 1,700 m.), which starts on the A-1702 and ends on the A-226. But undoubtedly the hardest and most imposing is the San Cristóbal pass, between Pitarque and Aliaga, with 8.8 km and a maximum gradient of 19%, already described by some as the “Angliru de Aragón”.
And to enjoy nature, make a space in your agenda during the journey to visit the four essential routes offered by The Silent Route: the routes of the Huergo Creekthe Valloré Straitsthe Source of the Pitarque River and the viewpoint of the Organs of MontoroThe latter two have been declared natural monuments.
Emblematic spaces
Silent (Silencioso)
The Alto Maestrazgo viewpoint is one of the mandatory stops on The Silent Route. It is better known as the viewpoint of the goat because there is the logo of the route, an imposing male mountain goat that has been baptized with the name “Silencioso” (Silent).
It is located at kilometer point 17 and from here you will find a privileged view of the skyline of Alto Maestrazgo where you can see the crowns of Aliaga, the heights of Pitarque and Cañada de Benatanduz, the limestone millstones of Villarluengo and Cantavieja.
The Cayman (El Caimán)
Another mandatory stop on The Silent Route is a rest area located at kilometer 50 of the route, where there is a reproduction of an old bus that locals used to know as“El Caimán” (The Alligator).
In this area you can enjoy the high mountain environment and learn more about the history of the road and this bus that traveled, and still travels, this road daily between Cantavieja and Alcorisa.
