The Great Outdoors in València

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The Great Outdoors in València

Below is information on:

Situated between the Sénia and Segura rivers, the region of Valencia has a varied terrain with mountains, arid areas and lush green land. It has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and mild winters. It rains the most in spring and autumn, when there can be torrential rainfalls. Year round, the average temperature does not fall below 15ºC, with the exception of the mountain areas where temperatures can reach freezing and rainfall may turn into snow.

• To check the weather forecast, see the AngloINFO weather

Walking, Hiking & Climbing

The Mountaineering and Climbing Federation of Valencia (Federació d'Esports de Muntanya i Escalada de la Comunitat Valenciana, or FEMECV) provides information about activities, paths, climbing, walking, refuges, safety measures and more.

• Federació d'Esports de Muntanya i Escalada de la Comunitat Valenciana
  At: C/ Marià Luiña 9 bajo, 03201 Valencia
  Tel: 965 439 747
  Fax: 965 436 570
  e-mail
  Website (in Spanish)

Alto Mijares

The Alto Mijares district is situated between the Penyagolosa massif to the north and the Espina-Espadón mountains to the south. Its highest point is the summit of Penyagolosa (1,814m) and its lowest is the level of the Mijares river (200m).

• For further information, see the Comunitat Valenciana website (choose Alto Mijares in the Interior drop-down menu)

There are several routes available to hikers in the Alto Mijares:

• Long Distance Route GR-7: runs through the towns of Villahermosa del Río, San Vicente de Cortés, Montanejos and Montán. It is marked with red and white blazes. The section between Villahermosa del Río and Sant Joan de Penyagolosa gives hikers a view of the Carbo river
• Long Distance Route GR-33: blazed in red and white, this runs from Castellón de la Plana to the Sant Joan de Penyagolosa peak. From the town of Les Useres it follows the annual pilgrimage procession route
• Long Distance Route GR-36: blazed in red and white, the GR-36 runs through the Espadón mountains from Montanejos to Villavieja
• Short Distance Route PR-V-79: blazed in yellow and white this links Lucena del Cid to Sant Joan de Penyagolosa and runs by the mountain shelter Mas de la Costa, a base for hikers and cyclists
• Short Distance Route PR-V-64 / PR-V-74 Network: a network of 11 short distance routes, marked in yellow and white, it covers part of the Penyagolosa massif. All these routes have a section that leads to the sanctuary of Sant Juan de Penyagolosa. This district has routes for all levels

Alto Palancia

The sierras of Espadón, Calderona, Espina and Javalambre are the natural frontier of the Alto Palancia district, which is open to fishing, cycling and hiking.

The routes are:

• Long Distance Route GR-10: runs through the Calderona/El Toro mountains and is blazed with red and white paint. The routes from Gátova to Masía de Tristán are highly recommended
• Long Distance Route GR-36: marked in red and white, this connects the village of Villavieja with Montanejos. It spans some of the northern slopes of de Espadón mountains
• Long Distance GR-7: Marked in red and white, this route runs north to south throughout the entire region of Valencia

La Tinença de Benifassà

A mountainous area of hills, ravines and gorges it is forested with boxwood, fern and juniper.

The main routes are:

• Long Distance Route GR-7: crossing the district from northeast to southwest, this route links towns such as Fredes, Voixar, Vallibona and Morella
• Short Distance Route PR-V-16: the route connects Fredes to the Ulldecona dam, passing through the Portell de l'Infern (Hell's door). Facilities for climbimng
• Short Distance Route PR-C-16-1: route connects the gorge of Barranc de la Salt to the mountain shelter at Font Ferrera, is recommended for relatively inexperienced hikers
• PR-C-82: runs from Casetes Velles in the massif of Ports de Beseit, this long an complicated route goes to Sènia

Sierra Calderona

A stretch of the GR-10 (European E-7) Long Distance Route crosses the Calderona and Portaceli mountain ranges. It is signposted with red and white blazes and it has several paths. Information signs are located at stopping points along the trail.

• For further information: Click here

Sierra d'Aitana

This area is characterised by an impressive mountain range where the highest peak is the Aitana (1,500 metres). The hiking network is clearly marked in white and yellow. Numerous species of bird which can be seen in Sierra d'Aitana.

• For further information: Click here
• There are many more hiking routes in the inner territory of Valencia: Click here

Cycling and Mountain Biking

Many of the mountain trails described above can also be used by mountain bikers. The Alto Mijares region has circular tours which include L'Alcora-Ribesalbes-Fanzara-Argelita-Lucena del Cid-L'Alcora (70 Km) and Montanejos-Zucaina-Castillo de Villamalefa-Argelita-Cirat-Montanejos (65 Km) can be found in 

In the Alto Palancia, there are nine routes, most of them dirt trails intended for mountain bikes. Racing cyclists who prefer asphalted roads can use mountain routes such as the Arenillas, Almedíjar and Eslida passes in the Espadón mountains.

Cyclists can take advantage of the metro and narrow-gauge railway network in the Sierra Calderona to transport their bikes as far as Llíria, Bétera or Rafelbunyal, where they can find several touring trails.

• For further information, maps and more: Click here (choose an area from the Interior drop-down menu and click on the "bicycles" and "mountain bikes" links)

Valencia does not have a complete bicycle-path network although there are several green areas and cycle paths in the city. 

The Cycling Federation of the Community of Valencia (Federación de Ciclismo de la Comunidad Valenciana, or FCCV) provides information on what to do in the case of an accident, on cycling teams, bike tracks and more:

• Federación de Ciclismo de la Comunidad Valenciana
  At: C/ Cocentaina s/n, 46035 Benimamét
  Tel: 963 904 932
  Fax: 963 904 934
  e-mail
  Website (in Spanish)

Caving and Potholing

The rocky terrain inland is suited to orienteering, canyoning and other outdoor activities.

The Mountaineering and Climbing Federation of Valencia (Federació d'Esports de Muntanya i Escalada de la Comunitat Valenciana, or FEMECV) provides information about activities:

• Federació d'Esports de Muntanya i Escalada de la Comunitat Valenciana (FEMECV)
  At: C/ Marià Luiña 9 bajo, 03201 Valencia
  Tel: 965 439 747
  Fax: 965 436 570
  e-mail
  Website (in Spanish)

Natural Parks

Albufera de Anna

Located in the Macizo del Caroig, this park has a lagoon with an island, Merendero. There are several restaurants, a campsite, playground, pool and boating lake. Pay to enter in summer.

Albufera Natural Park

A lagoon about 11 Km south of Valencia city is separated from the sea by a narrow stretch of sand dunes. The lagoon was formed in prehistoric times as the result of the accumulation of sediment from two rivers on a barrier that formed an inland freshwater lake. The lake is 6 Km in diameter and has hundreds of navigable canals.

Botanic Garden (Jardí Botànic)

Created in 1802, the botanic garden has several green houses, an impressive shade house, an aquarium, an aviary, a rockery, a grove of trees and different zones dedicated to aquatic plants. A tropical glasshouse made of iron and hundreds of metres of glass has been built in the centre of the garden.

• Botanic Garden
  At: Calle Quart 80, 46008 Valencia
  Tel: 963 156 800
  Fax: 963 156 826
  Website (in Spanish)

Turia Gardens

These gardens are the central green area of the city and occupy the old river bed. They have different sections with several types of plants and vegetation, canals, ponds, recreational facilities and more. The main attraction within the gardens is the Parque Gulliver, a play area based around the figure of the mythical Gulliver.

• For more information, Tel: 963 370 204

Curate's Orchard (Huerto del Cura)

Located in the core of the palm grove in Elche, this garden has almost one thousand palm trees and other Mediterranean and tropical plants.

• Huerto del Cura website (in Spanish)

Horse Riding

• For a list horse riding clubs in Valencia, see to The AngloFILE Equestrian: Horses and Riding

For information about horse riding, contact the Horse Riding Federation of the Valencian Community (Federación Hípica Comunidad Valenciana).

• Federación Hípica Comunidad Valenciana
  At: Avellanas 14, 46003 Valencia
  Tel: 963 925 695

Information on horse riding, licences to ride at clubs and horse riding disciplines is available from the Royal Spanish Horse Riding Federation (Real Federación Hípica Española).

• Real Federación Hípica Española
  At: Menorca 3, 28009 Madrid
  Tel: 914 364 200
  Website (in Spanish)

Winter Sports

For local information see the Valencian Winter Sport Federation at:

• Federación de Deportes de Invierno de la Comunidad Valenciana
  At: Avellanas 14 2ª, 46003 Valencia
  Tel: 963 154 471
  Fax: 963 154 472

For information about skiing resorts, seasons and competitions, contact Ski Spain.

• Esquí España
  At: Padre Damián 43-1º, 28036 Madrid
  Tel: 913 591 557
  Fax: 913 455 562
  e-mail
  Website (in Spanish)

The Spanish Winter Sports Federation (Real Federación Española Deportes de Invierno) has news about events, competitions and skiing schools.

• Real Federación Española Deportes de Invierno
  At: Avenida Madroños 36, 28043 Madrid
  Tel: 913 769 930
  e-mail

Flying

Valencia has facilities for parachuting, hot air ballooning, skydiving and free falling:

• See The AngloFILE Balloons, Paragliding & Flying Clubs
• Federación de Deportes Aéreos de la Comunidad Valenciana (Air Sports Federation of the Valencian Community)
  At: Avellanas 14 2ª, 46003 Valencia
  Tel: 963 154 489
  Fax: 963 153 449