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Nature around the Turia River
A protected territory located in the middle course of the Turia River with scenery of outstanding beauty that changes according to the season.
From a combination of the russets and greens of autumn to the snowy white blanket of winter. In spring the trees are bursting into bloom and in summer the dry, hot weather nurtures surprising sunsets. Moreover, the area’s profile offers the opportunity to enjoy numerous sports such as climbing, caving or cycling on one of the mountain bike routes. There is also a network of signposted hiking paths.
The protected area encompasses seven municipalities of the Region of Valencia (Aras de los Olmos, Benagéber, Casas Altas, Casas Bajas, Chelva, Titaguas and Tuéjar) and one in Castile – La Mancha (Santa Cruz de Moya). The area was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2019, highlighting the variety of vegetation on its lands. This declaration has driven the area’s sustainable development with the sale of local products.
Practical information
Access
The main road accesses to the area are via the CV-35 and N-330 and a round trip of the municipalities included in the biosphere reserve can be covered in around three and a half hours. It is about 100 kilometres from the city of Valencia.
Information for visits
It is an ideal natural space for many sports, such as hiking, cycling, horse riding, climbing, caving, rafting, fishing and water sports.
Did you know the Turia River is also known as the White River, above all at the stretch between Teruel and Titaguas?
Environmental information
The landscapes alternate between mountainous regions, rock formations, river courses, salt marshes and lagoons. The area’s vegetation includes an abundance of pine forests, oakwoods and junipers, although you can also spot some strawberry trees and hawthorn trees. The area’s main fauna includes Iberian hares, European rabbits, steppe birds, the white-throated dipper, midwife toads and fresh water fish such as, red-tailed Barbel and Mediterranean cyprinid.
Cultural information
The biosphere reserve expands across the regions of Serranía and Rincón de Ademuz. A journey through its towns and villages reveals the footprint and legacy of the Roman, Arabic and Jewish histories between small squares and winding streets and offers a relaxing rural getaway. Among the most noteworthy cultural visits, we recommend the Roman aqueduct of Peña Cortada and the site El abrigo del Tío Escribano, in Tinaguas. Its cave paintings form part of the Rock Art of the Iberian Mediterranean Basin, awarded the World Heritage designation by the UNESCO with regular tours operated from the Tinaguas Museum.
The area is also known for its tasty local artisan products such as honey, wine, olive oil, biscuits and cured meat.
