Further to the northeast and among villages the way of Inverse Trashumance: The regular movement of men and flocks which is one of the most distinctive characteristics of the Mediterranean world. The attractions for cattle and men of the grazing lands of the warm region on the coast. It was a way of life combining the two altitudes, and at the same time a source of human migration.
Gudar -Maestrazgo
Villages lost in history and kilometre of dry stone walling (coladas, veredas, azagadores, cañadas), remain the splendour of livestock farming, on XVI Century.
Self guided program.
Group size: min. 1.
Grade: easy /moderate.
8 days / 7 nights / 6 days walking.
Daywalk baggage: Daysac.
Accommodation: Small hotel, Guest House (Casas Rurales).
Price: from 585 EUR / pp / 2 person party. Sharing double room.
Dates: From 01/03 to 11/11.
Connecting landscape & emotion:
Trek village to village. The sublime is an aesthetic effect that could involve feelings of fear and inferiority simultaneously with those of joy and exultation. Trashumance becomes a long and interesting journey, scattered by such typically picturesque expressions as “without beginning and without end”, “sunny mists”, “dark shadows under rainy clouds”, “the farms lost inside their walls ”, “stormy promontories”, “solitary hut”, “unsheltered and desolate” “a small ruin”, “the ghostly images”.
Detailed Tour
1
Meet up in Virgen de la Vega (Alcalá de la Selva). Briefing.
Alcalá de la Selva the mountain village, is a municipality nestled in the heart of the Sierra de Gúdar and located nearly 1,500 m above sea level, and during winter, covered in snow.
Formerly a Moorish town known as Al-Qual' at, Alcalá de la Selva was regained by Alfonso II in 1170. Community of contrasts, Christians, Jewish and Muslims were living together. A Romanesque-Gothic castle dated from XII century scrape the mist.
2
Virgen de La Vega - Valdelinares.
10 km / + 5km.
Hiking day through Gúdar mountain range to the highest municipality in all of Spain. The way reaches first the forest of fine Scots pines and after sharp ascent gets El Collado de La Cruz de la Gitana, near 1900 m height, excellent observation point. It is at that point that wide open spaces roll out before you like some giant magic carpet with the ski slopes on the Penarroya mountain. From now on descent starts to the village.
3
Valdelinares - Fortanete.
17 km.
The southern end of the Sollavientos ridge performs a splendid grassy moorlands and extended plateau (Cuarto del Prado) usually full of cows. Later, the landscape becomes rugged and steep ravine entering -Barranco de Zoticos- in it, covered by scot pines. Gradually the path rises gently pulling away from the valley and rises El Tarascón de Loras.
The GR 8 passes between Peñacerrada source and a corral with plenty of cattle, and begins to snake to smooth down the slope, in the shade of pine trees, roses, barberry, boxwood thorns and and some great apple tree, reaching Fortanete.
4
Fortanete - Cantavieja.
16 km.
Leave to the north to The High Maestrazgo with altitude about 1700 m. The start is demanding from the very beginning with a steep ascent. Up and down to Cuarto Pelado mountain pass. Gradually the way goes down to Cantavieja village. Many architectural interesting buildings show the richness of that XVI century.
Altitude 1,353 m Cantavieja village lies on a rocky spur high above the ravins, provided the ideal Carlist stronghold to Ramon Cabrera known as "El Tigre del Maestrazgo". In the XVI and XVIII centuries was thriving with the wool exports. Cantavieja is the historic centre of the Maestrazgo.
5
Cantavieja - Iglesuela del Cid.
12 km / + 8 km.
For the most part, we follow the GR by vias pecuarias. They are cattle roads linking the traditional transhumance grazing places route. Continuous ascents and descents. La Iglesuela del Cid a Templar village which laid on "El Cid" The Knight Way. Inside its walls you find renaissance palaces. Optional route to La Virgen del Cid Hermitage recommended passes through walls, shepherd huts, stairs, build up on dry stone stile and well known recognise as an area of outstanding Cultural Interest.
6
Iglesuela del Cid - Mirambel.
22 km.
The Spanish War of Independence and Carlist wars of succession, were regular disruptions that have marked out this area in the XIX century and its depletion. The landscape this day is devoid of wood or forest as they were cut down in the XVI century to provide more pasture for sheep as the area was thriving economically from wool. Your destination is La Cuba and MIrambel, a tiny village of 40 inhabitants rounded by wall. The trail passes by ghost hamlets, mills, farmhouses traces of a rich storied past.
7
Forcall - Morella
16 km.
The itinerary invites us to enjoy the surrounding nature: extensive oak woods, faults and fractures of the Earlier Cretaceous, and views from Muela Garumba 1145 m. Finally welcoming town with magical nooks which takes one back to past times.
Our final day in this area reaching the spectacular Morella town, which can be seen for hours in the distance before it is reached. 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.
8
Transfer to bus connection / hired car / train station. Farewell.
What is included in this picturesque tour?
585€/pers*
Included
- 8 days / 7 nights / 6 days walking.
- Briefing at spot is delivered. Half board.
- Internal transfers days 7th.
- Baggage transport.
- Route book (maps and notes send by mail).
- 24/7 emergency telephone number.
- Taxes.
Not included
- Transport to local start point and return.
- Picnic.
- Insurance.
Optional
- Transportation to starting point from any airport and back.
- Extended stays.
- Divide stages.
- Map lover?: please ask us about originals.
- Local guide: UIMLA International Mountain Leader (English spoken). Please ask us about
* 585 EUR per person in a double room. 30% deposit at booking. The rest to be paid 30 days prior to departure. Read conditions.