ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION and ADDITIONAL INFOAragón - The Labyrinth of Silence 2012
In the Maestrazgo Area you will often have the impression of being the first person to set foot on these paths.
Far from the main roads, this is a truly untouched land: villages lost in history, kilometres of walls of dry stone, country houses left to an uncertain fate in the middle of the countryside, and above all a refreshing tranquility. The population density is currently at 2.5 persons per square kilometre, which the European Union defines as deserted.
PRICE
£495 - per person based on 2 people sharing
£450 - 4 or more people based on 2 people sharing
£675 - 1 person
INCLUDED• Half board on twin share accommodation.
• First day transfer from Alcorisa to start point and last day transfer to Alcorisa.
• Luggage transport.
• Information and map
• Telephone assistance
NOT INCLUDED
Flights
Holiday Insurance
Drinks and picnics.
Transport to local start point.
DEPARTURE DATESFrom 1 April to 15 November. Daily according to accommodation availability (except August and Easter Holidays)
To book email:
info@worldwalks.com T: (44) (0)1242 254353
Molinos - Cuevas de Cañart - Ejulve – Montoro de Mezquita - Pitarque - Cañada de Benatanduz - Cantavieja - Mirambel.The route often follows waymarked long distance paths). You will walk on footpaths and drovers routes used for generations by villagers and farmers. The paths are of good quality but rough underfoot in places. There are no vertiginous sections.
Day 1: Arrive Molinos.Welcome. Explore its little Gothic square and church (15th century). Accommodation and dinner.
Day 2: Molinos - Cuevas de Cañart - Molinos.Visit to the Crystal Caverns (Grutas de Cristal). Hike up to the Templar village of Cuevas de Cañart following the GR 8. After leaving Cuevas de Cañart ascent with excellent views. End up beside Masía de La Torre polje. Twenty minute transfer to Molinos. Dinner and overnight in Molinos.
Day 3: Molinos - Montoro de MezquitaOn foot to Montoro de Mezquita village (10 inhabitants, above Vallore cliffs). This is the transition between the low and the high Maestrazgo: The lonely hillsides are covered densely with thyme, rosemary, lavender, and mixed forests of pine and oak. Walk through the ravine of the river Guadalopillo to Ejulve village, with its old flour mills now in ruins.
Day 4: Montoro de Mezquita - PitarqueThe walk starts on the pilgrimage route to the Hermitage of San Pedro de la Roqueta, an ascent the local villagers made after receiving rain after 7 years of drought. You cross mountain ranges running parallel with each other and intersected with little valleys and streams, with short but steep ascents and descents. Excellent scenery.
Day 5: Pitarque - Cañada de Benatanduz.Hike along the River Pitarque Ravine through a shady Mediterranean forest. Reach Pitarque Source after 1h.20 minutes. Maples, walnuts, hazel trees constitute one of best Mediterranean riverbank forest of the area. Pass a small defensive outpost, a memorial to the attacks by the maquis-resistance against Franco between 1949 and 1954. Return to follow the GR8 up a steep ascent (40 min) to the plateau. Go on towards de Santos Adones at 1625 m. You can see La Cañada village from here.
Day 6: Cañada de Benatanduz - Cantavieja.Visit to Cantavieja, a Templar village and stronghold of the soldier Ramón Cabrera, The Tiger of El Maestrazgo. The High Maestrazgo with altitude about 1800 m. Leave the village towards Capellania at 1725 m and 1h easy ascent. Go on to Cuarto Pelado. Landscape is pine forest and alpine grass. It is also a place of historic-artistic interest, with towns highlighted by their medieval architecture.
Day 7: Cantavieja - Mirambel.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 when the area was thriving on the wool trade. Your destination is Mirambel, a village full of beautiful medieval stone buildings, decorated with bold wooden eaves, a village which has often been used as a film set.
Day 8: DepartureDIFFICULTY OF WALK
You require an adventurous spirit and basic fitness. You can choose to opt out on any given day and go on by car with the luggage transfer. Your bag is transferred for you daily to your next hotel so that you can enjoy the walking with just a daypack.
Untouched landscapes, flowers and vegetation, glorious views, pretty villages
ACCOMMODATION
Our accommodation has been especially chosen to give you an authentic experience of the real rural Spain. All are government registered and are located in villages, with one in a small town. They are a mixture of small rural hotels and Casa Rurales (old houses converted to B & B accommodation). Dinner is included every night (wine included) in the hotel or a local restaurant. All rooms feature a bath or shower, and W.C.
GETTING THERENearest airports: Zaragoza, Reus, Barcelona and Valencia.
Public Bus from Zaragoza to Alcorisa.
www.hife.esPublic Bus from Barcelona to Alcorisa.
www.hife.esPublic bus from Reus to Alcañiz:
www.igualadina.comPublic bus from Barcelona to Alcañiz:
www.igualadina.com
LUGGAGE
You carry only your back-pack each day. The rest of the luggage is carried by an assistant vehicle from accommodation to accommodation
WHAT TO TAKE:
Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, swimming costume, water bottle, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sun block/cream, compass, torch and a first-aid kit.
DEPARTURES
April 1 to 15 November
INSURANCE
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
To book, contact
worldwalks at:
email:
info@worldwalks.comT: (44) (0)1242 254353