Six days in the region of Maestrazgo
If you want to know the Maestrazgo region and you only have six days to discover it, here we propose a route plan so you do not miss some of its most significant places.
The first day, we recommend you to visit La Cuba, Mirambel and Cantavieja.
At La Cuba the Church of San Miguel Arcangel, the refrigerator and the curious Pellerich are worth a visit. You can also learn about the old esparto grass industry in which the population was employed in the past, in the Interpretation Center.
Mirambel, known as “a jewel within the walls“, is declared a historic-artistic site and has been awarded the Europa Nostra prize for heritage conservation. Its walled enclosure is one of the best preserved in the province of Teruel. Discover all its nooks and crannies with the guided tour, with which you will also enter the Convent of the Augustinian Nuns, an essential visit. And if you like movies, Ken Loach’s “Tierra y Libertad (Land and Freedom)“ was filmed in Mirambel, and you can get to know its scenery thanks to this route.
Finally, we will go into Cantavieja, declared a historic-artistic site, making the guided tour, in addition to walking through its stately streets and its beautiful arcaded square, access to the interior of places of interest such as the Church of the Assumption, the Church of San Miguel, the town hall and the Calvary. You can also get to know the bell tower and the refrigerator by asking at the Tourist Office. There you will also find the Museum of the Carlist Wars, which you cannot miss.
For the second day, we suggest you to visit the southwest of the region: Allepuz, Villarroya de los Pinares, Miravete de la Sierra and Fortanete.
We start the morning in Allepuz seeing the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Purificación, the trinquete, the hermitage of Loreto, the Casa Grande, today converted into Hospedería, and the washhouse. Here you will find the Trail Running Center Allepuz-Teruel which offers you to run at altitude along several routes that lead to natural areas of great beauty and natural value. In its surroundings you will find two places of great interest: the Sollavientos Valley, with the hermitage of Santa Isabel, where it is necessary to travel by car, and the Camino de los Pilones, declared of Cultural Interest, of 7.5 km, which connects Allepuz with Villarroya de los Pinares, our next destination.
Once in Villarroya you can visit places of interest such as the Church of the Assumption, the bell tower, the hermitages of La Purísima (former ex-conjuradero), Loreto and San Benón, as well as the town hall. Also the Interpretation Center of the Order of San Juan del Hospital. If you want to know more about this town, you can take the guided tour.
Here we recommend you to do the linear route of 6.5 km one way that connects Villarroya with Miravete de la Sierra, both declared historical-artistic sites. In Miravete you can see the Church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, the arcaded square, the town hall, the medieval bridge, the oven, the trinquete and, after a short walk along the river, the flour mill. You can also visit the ichnites, or dinosaur footprints that are very close to the town and belong to the Jurassic-Cretaceous transit. A panel will help you with the interpretation.
To end the day we suggest you to visit Fortanete, known as “the hidden jewel of Maestrazgo“, 18 km from Cantavieja. This village hides beautiful buildings such as the Church of the Purification, the town hall or the house of the Loras, in addition to the curious place of the orchards. We recommend a walk along the circular path of the “Vuelta a las ermitas” to get an idea of the natural heritage of the town. You can also take a guided tour by contacting the Tourist Office.
If you still have time left, in Villarroya you can enjoy numerous experiences: from a visit to the farmhouse of Los Baños, to a pottery workshop or a forest bath.
On the third day we propose you to visit La Iglesuela del Ciddeclared a historic-artistic site. It is ideal to do it with a guided tour to access the interior of the Church of the Purification, the imposing Aliaga House, the old dungeon, and the Hospedería. If you want to know more about the history of the town contact the Tourist Office to visit the hermitage of the Virgen del Cid and the Ibero-Roman archaeological site.
And you can not leave without doing the Ruta de la Piedra Seca (Dry Stone Route), of about 7 kms, or the interpreted hiking trails that are offered in season at the Office.
We will continue towards Villarluengo, 40 km from Iglesuela. Before arriving we will make a brief stop at Cañada de Benatanduz, which stands out for the view of the ravine offered by its viewpoints. Stop to contemplate the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, the building of the hospital for the poor and the old school, and the hermitages. In the hermitage of San Cristobal you have a good panoramic view of the town and a giant frame to take a good picture. In addition, this is the first town you will encounter if you travel along The Silent Route, one of the most scenic roads in the region.
Arriving at Villarluengo, you will be amazed by its steep figure located in the foothills of the Montesanto mountain. Here we will make our last stop to see the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, the trinquete, the town hall, the washhouse and the viewpoints, which allow us to look out over the ravine of the Cañada River that borders the town, highlighting the one known as Balcón de los Forasteros (Strangers’ Balcony). On the outskirts you will find the hermitages of San Bartolomé and San Cristóbal as well as the ruins of the Convent of Montesanto, where you can approach following the marked path.
On the fourth day we started in Pitarque, where you can visit the Church of Santa María la Mayor and the washing place. The trail to the source of the Pitarque River, also declared a Natural Monument, begins in the town center, with a length of 10 km round trip. It is one of the star excursions of the region.
From here we will go to Montoro de Mezquita, 12.5 km from Pitarque. On the way we will be surprised by the Organs of Montoro, also declared a Natural Monument. From the accessible viewpoint we can enjoy this marvel of nature. The road leading to Los Órganos is a scenic road known as the The Silent Route. If you have the chance, you must visit it all, as it hides many surprises.
In Montoro de Mezquita we will walk along the circular route of the Valloré viewpoint and straits, 2.5 km long. Before leaving, walking through the village we will visit the Church of the Assumption, the cemetery and the old ceramic furnace.
The fifth and last day will start at Tronchón, known for its famous cheese already mentioned in Don Quixote. Declared a historic-artistic site for its significant architectural heritage, you can visit the Church of Santa Maria Magdalena, the dungeon, the old school and the town hall. You can’t miss the old hospital, the washhouses and the ceramic ovens. If you feel like walking a bit, the path of Vuelta a las ermitas allows you to reach the hermitages of Tremedal and Santa Ana, from where the views of the town are unbeatable.
Afterwards, we will make a brief stop at Bordón, where you should visit the Church of the Virgen de la Carrasca, with interesting paintings that decorate the interior, and the hermitages of San Antonio de Padua and Calvario. Check visiting hours at the Tourist Office.
At the end of the day we will go to Castellotedeclared a historical site and Asset of Cultural Interest, and on the way, we will stop in some of its villages: Abenfigo, Las Planas, Dos Torres de Mercader, Luco de Bordón and Ladruñan. Already in Castellote, enjoy the town center and the castle with night atmosphere.
On the sixth and last day we wake up in Castellote, declared a historical site. Do not miss the Church of the Virgen del Agua, the Templar Tower, the Church of San Miguel Arcángel, the hermitage of San Macario and the old washhouse. In addition, we recommend you to do the Tour of the castle and the Watchtower of Castellote and visit the Hermitage of Llovedor. Consult the schedules for the guided tours at the Tourist Office.
Next, we will visit Las Cuevas de Cañart a historic-artistic site. Strolling through its streets you will find the Church of San Pedro, the Hermitage of San Blas, the Virgen de los Pueyos, the Convent of the Conceptionists or the arches of the Jewish quarter among other places, highlighting the ruins of the Convent of the Servite monks, with attached Interpretation Center. You can also visit the medieval tombs, the refrigerator and the flour mill, which are part of the GR 8.1 trail (stage 3).
If you would like to know more about the heritage of this town, visit the Interpretation Center.
Finally, we will go into Molinos, where we will find the well known Crystal Caves with two visitable rooms where you can discover the many types of speleothems it houses: stalactites, stalagmites, lava flows, flags, etc.. To visit them, check schedules and rates on the website. We will make a last stop in the village to see some places of interest such as the Gothic Church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, the bell tower and the magnificent ravine of San Nicolás.
If you have time, we recommend you to visit some of the villages of Castellote: Abenfigo, Las Planas, Dos Torres de Mercader, Luco de Bordón and Ladruñan.
Comarca del Maestrazgo • C/ Las Tres Baylias • 44140 Cantavieja (Teruel)
Phone: 964 185 242 • [email protected]
