We are travelling to a surprising natural environment in the north-east of the province, where the Júcar river has formed a territory of deep valleys and sharp ravines. The perfect place for adventure activities such as rafting, paragliding or horse-back riding; or more relaxing activities such as hiking, bird watching and swimming in summer.

Our first stop is Jorquera, 40 km from the capital. From the lookout point on the same highway, we get stunning views of this picturesque place: the meandering Júcar, the hill the town sits atop, the green valley and 200-metre high cliffs. The remains of the castle, with its different defensive enclosures, gates and turrets shedding light on its splendid Muslim past.

Next destination: Alcalá del Júcar. A fairytale town, one of the most beautiful in Spain. It leaves first-time visitors speechless. Popular architecture white houses –some excavated in the mountain– adjust to the land in steep, narrow streets. The town’s caves are famous due to their multiple uses, dove nests, stables and natural pharmacies. However, of special interest are the base tunnels, such as the Masagó cave or the Devil’s cave. The castle crowns all of this beauty. Down below, a crystalline water river, ideal for taking a dip.

The castle, with Arabic origins that it owes its name to (al-Qa`la), no longer has much of its Andalusian past: multiple renovations leave little trace of yesteryear. Collapses, changes to the towers and the reconquest resulted in successive restorations that removed most of the Islamic past.

The parish of Saint Andrew, one of the town’s most significant buildings. A single nave construction, very long, built between the 16th-, 17th- and 18th-century, conserves the cross-vaulted roof with tierceron vaults, and in the 18th century, the chancel was extended with a transept and a dome.

Alcalá del Júcar is the perfect spot for a stroll, lunch or relaxing, and letting time go by. If you prefer an excursion, there are routes visiting the caves in the old town and options of rafting, abseiling, bungee jumping and canoeing.

After lunch, or later in the afternoon, we suggest exploring a secret place: following the Júcar, at Villa de Ves, the Cristo de la Vida Sanctuary appears hanging from a natural balcony over the river and offers stunning views.