geocalia
Day itinerary · 39.66° N · 0.89° W
A three-hour route through the Turia gorges with two hanging bridges, the Charco Azul from the viewpoint, mountain cooking in the village and the castle last thing.
Part of ChulillaStarry skies in Spain
The plan
Any part can be swapped for another without spoiling the day.
via the A-3, about 60 km
Plaza de la Baronía, water at the fountain · 15 min
Ruta de los Pantaneros · 3 h · €1 fee
+34 647 664 292
El Charco Azul from the Carrucha viewpoint · 30 min
El Pozo · olla churra (stew) and rice dishes · €€ · booking required
C/ Arrabal, 7, 46167 Chulilla · +34 640 989 020
Castle and the bend of the Turia · 45 min
You reach Valencia around 18:30
Adds up the activities and meals in the plan at their published prices; travel and accommodation not included.
The route
Chulilla is the countryside Sunday closest to Valencia: an hour by car and a limestone canyon with walls of more than 80 metres, a green river at the bottom and two hanging bridges crossed in turns. The Pantaneros route takes three hours there and back; then you eat in the village and, if you still have the energy, climb to the castle to see the Turia meander in the afternoon light.
7:45 · Departure. Along the A-3 and the Turia road, about 60 km, 45 minutes to an hour. Arriving early changes everything: on Sunday mid-morning there is a queue at the bridges. Leave the car in one of the car parks at the entrance or exit of the village; the streets in the old town are narrow and dead-end.
8:45 · Plaza de la Baronía. Fill your bottles at the drinking-water fountain in the square: there is none on the route. Carry cash, because there is no cash machine in Chulilla.
9:00 · Pantaneros route. Set off along Calle Maestro Amblar, leave the village by the road, pass the El Altico hostel and take the signposted path on the left. At the information point at the start you pay the €1 per person fee; there is no need to book. The path runs along the upper edge of the gorges and crosses the canyon twice on the hanging bridges, the highest about 15 metres above the river. Turespaña gives it about 10 km, three hours and 324 m of ascent there and back, returning by the same path.
12:15 · Charco Azul. On the way back, stop at the Carrucha viewpoint, at the start of the route, to see from above the green pool of the Turia between the rock walls.
14:00 · Lunch at El Pozo. Behind the square, going down the steps next to the town hall. The restaurant is open to the public at weekends and on public holidays and is small: book on 640 989 020. Order the olla churra or the ajoarriero, or a rice dish for the table.
16:30 · The castle. Of Muslim origin, on top of the crag. A short, steep climb from the upper streets; at the top, the Turia meander and the white houses hanging above the cliff.
17:30 · Return. You are in Valencia around 18:30.
Serranía cooking: the olla churra, a spoon stew, and the ajoarriero. If you are hungry after the route, a rice dish to share.
With children who walk well, the whole route; the town council asks for caution in the first 50 metres. With little ones, go as far as the first bridge and turn back, or stay at the Charco Azul and the La Peñeta viewpoint. With a dog, a stroll round the village yes; for the route, the official sources only ask for caution with pine processionary caterpillars, so ask at the tourist office before you go.
Where to eat
Lunch is half the plan: book before you set off.
What to order: the ajoarriero to share and the seasonal stew, olla churra in winter or olla de berzas in summer
Map
With where to park at each one.
Getting there
When to go
Spring and autumn. In summer, only by setting off first thing. At weekends a queue forms at the bridges: arrive before 9:00.
Tips
The bridges are crossed in turns and by mid-morning a queue forms.
The €1 fee and many bars accept only cash, and there is no cash machine in the village.
Loose stone and rock steps at the edge of the cliff.
The El Pozo dining room is small and on Sundays it fills up.
The middle hours of a July or August day: the edge of the canyon has no shade.
Questions
From 45 minutes to an hour by car, about 60 km along the A-3.
No. You pay €1 per person at the start of the route.
About three hours there and back, with 324 m of ascent.
The restaurant at Hostal El Pozo is open at weekends and on public holidays, by reservation.
Yes, if they walk well. With little ones, the Charco Azul and the first bridge.
More plans like this
geocalia.com/en/spain/valencian-community/chulilla/itineraries/chulilla-hanging-bridges-and-mountain-lunch
Prices, opening hours and times are approximate: check them before you go. Each place has its own page on Geocalia.
Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/valencian-community/chulilla/itineraries/chulilla-hanging-bridges-and-mountain-lunch
