Los Estrechos and Chillapájaros Trail

The Estrecho de Chillapájaros, or Los Estrechos, is the canyon the Mijares has carved about two kilometres from Montanejos, with vertical walls over 100 m high and a 25 m gap where the water runs. At its foot is the Cirat dam, which diverts the river's cold water to the hydroelectric power station and stops it mixing with the thermal water that wells up lower down, at the Fuente de los Baños. The Estrechos trail is the way to see it from above, leaning out over the wall.

The route

It is the SL-CV-E trail, waymarked in white and purple: 8.6 km, 3 h 05 min and 460 m of ascent, of medium difficulty. It leaves from the town's meeting point and goes down some steps to the riverside path, next to the Fuente de los Baños. On the right, beside the ticket hut, you climb in zigzags round the municipal sports centre until you join a path that coincides with the GR-7.

Then comes a steep climb to a paved track; you take it on the left and it leads right above the wall of Los Estrechos, with viewpoints over the river. Then the path drops to a bridge over the Mijares: you cross it, turn right and reach the dam's spillway. You go up the paved track to the road, turn left and, just before the tunnel, take the path on the left. After the spillway viewpoint comes a steep climb through a rocky area with delicate passages. At the junction of paths towards El Colladillo, you turn left towards the Cueva Negra and return to the town.

Difficulty and when to go

It is a route for those who already walk confidently: there are two steep climbs, narrow, sloping stretches and a rocky area that needs care with your hands. It is not the best option with small children; for them there is the family trail, which looks into Los Estrechos from the dam with much less effort. You can take a dog, on a lead.

It can be done all year. In summer, set off early: a good part of the climb is in the sun. Bring hiking footwear with a good sole, water and something to eat.

Climbing and rafting in the canyon

The walls of Los Estrechos have multi-pitch climbing routes known outside Spain, so it is common to see roped parties from the viewpoints. You can also go down the narrows by raft: rafting on the Mijares covers this fast-water stretch between late March and October.

Before setting off

Leave the car at the free Corral de Prats car park. At the tourist office, at 10 Avenida Fuente de Baños, they have the trail map; it can also be downloaded at visitmontanejos.com with the Wikiloc track. On your return, the Fuente de los Baños is a few steps from the end.