Maestrazgo and Sierra de Gudar
Day 4 L'Iglesuela del Cid - Cantavieja - L'Iglesuela del Cid
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A rest day really. Time to explore and admire. Amazing terraced hillsides and great views as the road rises gradually from one village to the other - 1227m to 1299m. An important discovery was the old road that contours nicely round the hillside. At the top of the rise leaving L'Iglesuela del Cid, the old road takes off to the left. It rejoins the new road after the second of the two big dips that result from the more direct line of the new road.
Day 5 L'I del C - Portell de Morella - Cinctorres - Morella - Forcall - Mirambell - Cantavieja - L'I del C (94km; 900m) )
Terraced hillsides seem to be everywhere as we headed towards Portell de Morella and a fast descent into Cinctorres. A great view of Morella and its ruined 12th century castle is followed by a steep descent and the final climb into this historic town. The well preserved town walls enclose a busy tourist centre with plenty of places for lunch.
The route home from Morella was in total contrast to the route there. The village of Forcall lies where two rivers join. From our approach it looked like an estuary port. We followed the river Cantavieja towards Mirambell in hot sun, passing pig farms and poppies at the side of the road. Mirambell is a perfect walled medieval village with a much photographed main gateway. Another few kilometres and Cantavieja is seen, clinging to the rock outcrop at the head of the valley. Then home to L'Iglesuela del Cid (via the old road). )
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Day 6 L'Iglesuela del Cid to Gúdar (72k; 980m) )
Back to Cantavieja where we wait for the shop to open. Then upwards through forested slopes followed by alpine pasture to the Puerto de Cuarto Pelado at 1612m. A rapid descent brought us to Fortanete . Upwards again to the Puerto de Villarroya and down as a thunderstorm gathered to Villarroya de los Pinares, where we spent some while sheltering from the storm. We only encountered a couple of showers but this one was heavy. A few kilometres further on, we encountered our only other cycle tourists - a couple from Plymouth going from Madrid to Barcelona, doggedly pursued by a couple of Germans. Onwards to Allepuz and turned south to Gúdar. This is a dramatically situated village with good accommodation in the Hostal El Mirador. A good dinner, a game of darts and a drink in the bar rounded off the day.
Day 7 Gúdar to Los Cerezos (63km) We continued our journey south along a pleasant valley bringing us to the rather incongruous ski resort of La Virgen de la Vega. A climb from here took us to the Puerto de San Rafael, our last pass in the Sierra de Gudar followed by a great descent of about 18km all the way to Mora de Rubielos. We were heading for Manznera on the other side of the N234 National Highway and had to cycle only a short distance along this busy road to get back on quiet roads. Looking round Manzanera and consulting the accommodation guide supplied by the Tourist Office, we opted to go a little further to Los Cerezos where there are two hotels. Taking a left turn at Los Cerezos brought us to a very attractive spot with trees, running water and a hotel. This was the Hotel Balneario, an interesting place containing a mixture of noisy elderly people and staff in white coats. Would we be let out? |