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Route activity: Hiking

Inici / Hiking

Route of the Penyagolosa villages

The Route of the Penyagolosa villages is a circular mountain route that passes through the four villages in the “Penyagolosa North Villages County” (Mancomunitat de Penyagolosa-Pobles del Nord).

This route runs largely through the Penyagolosa Natural Park, and is designed for hiking. In order to follow the route, you need to download the routes using the Wikiloc mobile application. This application, using a QR code, downloads the route and guides us using the GPS in our phone.

The municipalities of Atzeneta del Maestrat, Benafigos, Vistabella del Maestrat and Xodos offer us a different and unique landscape. With a very steep orography, steep slopes and deep ravines. These characteristics providen de are with an extraordinary flora and fauna.

In terms of flora, holm oaks, white and black pines and pine trees with abundant shrub vegetation stand out. Numerous birds and mammals coexist in this ecosystem, including the mountain goat, the wild boar, the badger and the genet.

It takes between 2 and 5 days to complete this route, as it is designed to be done in 5 different stages. The whole route has 2.200 meters elevation gain and a distance of approximately 60 kilometers.

Route of the Penyagolosa villages – Stage 1: Atzeneta del Maestrat – Benafigos

This stage follows the entire PR route (yellow / white).

We start from Atzeneta del Maestrat towards “Sant Gregori’s” hermitage. From here we start the PR passing by “Masia Fenollera” farmhouse and “Mas de l’Olivar”. Finally, we will reach Benafigos. The first kilometers of ascent have broader paths, but these will get narrower further on. At this point we find magnificent views. Enjoy them!

Route of the Penyagolosa villages – Stage 2: Benafigos – Vistabella del Maestrat

This stage is the most mountainous of all

It leaves from Benafigos in the direction of the “Carmona” ravine, crossing part of the “Vall d’Usera” reaching “Mas de les Roques”. We continue along the path until we connect with the GR7 that takes us to Vistabella del Maestrat. Authentic Penyagolosa with a unique landscape.

Route of the Penyagolosa villages – Stage 3: Vistabella – Sant Joan de Penyagolosa

We leave Vistabella following the GR7 (red / white) along the great Vistabella plain until we reach the “Espino” spring. From there we continue through the Penyagolosa Natural Park until we reach “Sant Joan’s” hermitage . This stage is characterized by the magnificent environment provided by the natural park and its 12th century hermitage.

Route of the Penyagolosa villages – Stage 4: Sant Joan de Penyagolosa – Xodos.

This stage begins walking along the “Conill” hill to “La Banyadera”.

Once there, we take the path that takes us to the farmhouse of “Sanaüja” and from there to “Les Mallades”. We continue the path down to the “Canaleja” spring. From there we continue towards the GR33 until we reach our destination, Xodos.

Route of the Penyagolosa villages – Stage 5: Xodos – Atzeneta del Maestrat

Final stage that follows the path of the Full Moon GR33 (red / white) “Camí dels Pelegrins” (Pilgrims path), as it passes by the “Bernat” hill and “Sant Miquel de les Torrocelles”. After “Sant Miquel” we will turn off to the Castle of Atzeneta del Maestrat.

Atzeneta del Maestrat, ending of stage 5, ending the Route of the Penyagolosa villages

Pere Tomàs cave

“Pere Tomàs’s” cave is located at the foot of the “Barranc del Gorg” ravine, it was used as a refuge for shepherds from the area during winter . It has a petroglyph and paintings.

Cave of the Aragonese

This cavity is two meters long and is surrounded by a beautiful karst landscape and flanked by the “Barranc del Regall” and the “Badall de la Roca”.

Castle circular

The Castle natural place path has a great natural and cultural value. Outstanding are The Castle fortification and the hermitage of Sant Joan stand out, as well as the richness and uniqueness of the landscape, as part of the route runs along the Rambla del Castell.

“El Bovalar”

The Bovalar Route takes us throughout the Bovalar Hills and from its summit, at 636 meters, we can see spectacular panoramic views of Atzeneta del Maestrat, with the town, the different ravines and, in the background, the mountain range overviewed the giant of the Penyagolosa.

Windmills

This rout connects the town of Atzeneta with the natural natural area of the “Windmills”, where it connects with another route that reaches the village of Culla.

La nevera

This is a circular route that follows with the ascent to “La Nevera”, a mountain race held at the end of March since the year 2000. It is characterized by the harshness of its route and the beauty of its natural environment. This route takes us to the highest peak of the village, La Nevera (1,195 m.), from where you can observe extraordinary panoramic views of Atzeneta and the Penyagolosa mountain.

Mas Vida (Vidal’s Farmhouse)

This route runs through the most mountainous area of Atzeneta del Maestrat and allows you to enjoy gorgeous landscape while crossing the ravines of “Aigua Nova”, the “Font del Forcall” or the “Estepar”. In addition, it allows you to visit the “Font del Forcall” and the “Ullal del Gorg” spring, usually dry, that springs from a cave in times of heavy rain forming a beautiful spring of water.

“La Selleta i les Fontetes”

With a distance of 7.42 km and a positive gradient of 377 meters, this route is perfect for walking or running around Xodos. As for the route, it can be considered of easy difficulty. This path leaves from Xodos taking the historic path of Benafigos towards La Selleta. Then take the Fridge track past the Fondo ravine, where, in a short detour, we gather at the fountains. Returning to Xodos by the Baix de Roca farmhouse.

Bernat Hill

With a distance of 12.92 km and a positive gradient of 746 meters, this route is perfect for walking or running around Xodos. As for the route, it can be considered of moderate difficulty. This path leaves from Xodos on the GR-33 towards the Pou del Llop. Going up the Mas de la Lloma it passes near the foresters’ hut. Go around the hill until you reach the Mas de Paulo where we take the Gr-33.

Montoliu’s farmhouse and “La Noguereta”

With a distance of 15.13 km and a positive gradient of 713 meters, this route is perfect for walking or running around Xodos. As for the route, it can be considered of moderate difficulty. This path leaves from Xodos towards Mas de Felipe, then passes by Mas del Sord, crosses the ravine of the friars until reaching Mas de Montoliu. From this point we continue along the Carrascosa path towards La Noguereta. We go down the Mas de la Llamba and turn left to go up to the Mas de Miravet and gather at Xodos.

Penyagolosa through “la moleta de Gargant”

With a distance of 11.06 km and a positive gradient of 618 meters, this route is perfect for walking or running around Xodos. As for the route, it can be considered of moderate difficulty. This path leaves from Xodos along the path of Vilamalefa Castle. We pass by Mas de Felipe until we reach Mas del Sord. From here to the moleta de Gargant and shortly after the hill of Les Mallades. Finally, take the GR-33 in the direction of Xodos.

“La Fontasa” pine

With a distance of 7.59 km and a positive gradient of 248 meters, this route is perfect for walking or running around Xodos. As for the route, it can be considered of moderate difficulty. This path leaves from Xodos towards Sant Cristòfol below the hill of the Pinarejos and continues towards the pine of La Fontassa. From here we take the Solana track towards the Morratges farmhouse. Finally, we will return by the royal road to Xodos.

La Canaleja

With a distance of 6.75 km and a positive gradient of 303 meters, this route is perfect for walking or running around Xodos. As for the route, it can be considered of moderate difficulty. This path leaves from Xodos towards the Peiró de la Vega and the house of Ximo el sastre. Then continue through the ravine of the mas de Vela to the well of La Canaleja. From here, towards the Felipe farmhouse and continuing the path we return to Xodos.