Els Ports The Three Kingdoms Trail

Meet up in Morella.

Morella is a municipality and the major town of Els Ports region in the province of Castellon. To gain access into the town you cross the medieval gate of San Mateo. Renaissance townhall building.

Its urban layout is composed of narrow, winding streets which creep up the top of the hill in search of the two most emblematic buildings: The Arciprestal Basilica of Santa Maria -in the transition from Gothic to Romanesque- and the castle. The name of the town "Mourela", refers to the Muslim past time.

Morella - Vallibona. 15 km.

15 km.

That is the first walking day in this area with its intricate mountains before leaving the spectacular Morella, a town which can be seen for hours in the distance. A town laden with history: Calle Els Porxes, the Town Hall, Iglesia de Santa María Church, Towers and Castle, Renaissance Noble Palaces and a lot more.

Its walls have borne witness to legends such as El Cid, Rodrigo Diaz, who passed through Morella in the year 1084, or the Tiger of El Maestrazgo, Ramón Cabrera, a Carlist General who took up a strong position in the town.

Vallibona. Moli de Rico.

12 km.

The Vallibona circle to Rico Water Mill. With two nights in delightful Vallibona, this can be a complete rest day or take the following walk which is by no means strenuous and follows a ravine to a deserted water mill. Another opportunity to see how life once thrived by evidence of the deserted Mas, the Molino and surrounding terraces.

Vallibona - Boixar - Fredes .

20 km.

As on the previous day, we walk along the GR7 leaving Vallibona, the first of the towns of La Tinença, a territory which was part of the estate of the Abbot of the Monastery of Benifassá. James I the Conqueror recovered these lands before the conquest of Valencia, and in 1233 founded a commemorative hermitage on Mount Beni Hasan.

First get to Boixar (means a place round by buxus) and then from here, almost always in ascent, we reach Fredes, another small town of less than 5 inhabitants.

Fredes. El Portel del Infern.

13 km.

One of the best routes offered in La Tinença de Benifassá Natural Park. The first section, runs along the former horseshoe path that links the villages of Fredes and La Senia, through the mythical natural pass El Portell del Infern, among large limestone rock walls.

The itinerary invites us to enjoy the surrounding nature: extensive woods, “Masías”, and river gorges. It is precisely the lack of human influence which has preserved the ecosystems of these lands.

Fredes - Tossal Three Kingdoms - Beceite

17 km.

We take a path that takes us through GR7, the long-distance route that connects the French Vosges with Andalusia in the south of Spain. The red and white stripes lead us through the beautiful natural park of La Tinença de Benifassa and then ascending to the summit Tossal Los Tres Reyes (1350 m). Here we literally tower over the 3 ancient kingdoms (Taifas). The last part goes through a dense forest to the Ermita San Miguel and brings us to the meeting point, a short transfer (20 min.) to Beceite.

Parrizal Gorge.

15 km.

A short transfer (20 min.) brings us to the starting point. We leave Beceite along the Matarranya River, which squeezes through a narrow valley. Today we are trekking through some of the most rugged landscapes we will see this week. We hike first at the bottom of the gorge and then winding our way up the mountain. We can expect a very pleasant view from the highest points we will reach. Up and down, inside and outside the gorge.

Our way continues through a forest of pine and oak, a track that takes us to Beceite where we stay at the same hotel as the night before, Hotel Font Del Pas.