Chulilla, the suspension bridges over the Turia.

Chulilla is a white village hanging above the Turia canyon, in the Los Serranos district, an hour from Valencia. What brings almost everyone here is the Pantaneros route: a path along the edge of the river gorge, with walls over 80 metres high and two suspension bridges that you cross in turns. On the way back, the Charco Azul, the castle on its crag and a lunch in the village round off a perfect Sunday.

How do I get there from Valencia?

By car, along the A-3 and then the Turia road: about 60 km, 45 minutes to an hour according to Turespaña. When you arrive, do not drive into the old town: the streets are narrow, many are dead ends, and there are car parks at the entrance and the exit of the village. From there everything is done on foot. Chulilla has no bank or cash machine; the nearest is 12 km away, and many bars take cash only, so bring money.

What is the suspension bridges route like?

The Pantaneros route follows the path that the workers on the Loriguilla reservoir took every day in the 1950s. It starts from the Plaza de la Baronía, leaves the village along Calle Maestro Amblar and, past the El Altico hostel, you take the waymarked path to the left of the road. It runs along the upper edge of the canyon and crosses it twice by the suspension bridges; the highest is about 15 metres above the river. The town council gives 5.05 km of route and medium-to-high difficulty; Turespaña counts about 10 km, three hours and 324 m of ascent there and back from the village, returning the same way.

Do you have to pay or book?

You have to pay, not book. Since the town council approved the access fee for the municipal nature site of Los Calderones, each person pays €1 a day, every day of the week, at the information point at the start of the route. Bring coins.

What else is there in Chulilla?

The Charco Azul, a green stretch of calm water on the Turia between rock walls, can be seen from the Carrucha viewpoint at the start of the route: it is the short walk if you have small children. The castle, of Moorish origin, crowns the crag and gives the best view of the river meander. And the old town can be walked in half an hour: the Plaza de la Baronía with its fountain, the 18th-century church of Los Ángeles and the 17th-century hermitage of San José. To look down on the river without walking far, the La Peñeta viewpoint.

Can you climb or go canyoning?

Yes, with a guide. The canyon walls are sport climbing terrain, and Serranía Aventura, with an office in the village, runs a four-hour introduction to climbing, from October to April, from about age 5 and €55. The same company takes people down the Reatillo, a water canyon with no abseils and optional jumps, from April to October, and the Tesoro dry canyon, with a 40 m free-hanging abseil. In summer you can paddle with groups on the Loriguilla reservoir, and from April to October you can climb up La Muela at night with a telescope on a stargazing walk. They also guide the suspension bridges route, with the fee included.

When to go?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons: mild temperatures and good light in the canyon. The route can be done all year, but in summer avoid the hours of strong sun. At weekends and long weekends many people come from Valencia and there is a queue at the suspension bridges: set out early or go midweek.

Where to eat and sleep?

The verified choice is short. The Hostal El Pozo, behind the square, has five rooms with views of the castle from €63 with breakfast, and its restaurant opens to the public at weekends and on public holidays with ajoarriero, olla churra and rice dishes: book. The Casa Rural Las Cuevas rents four apartments in the centre. For the route, bring a sandwich and water: the fountain in the Plaza de la Baronía is drinkable.