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Top of Penyagolosa |
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| Map for the route (ED50)
GPS waypoints for download (WGS84, gpx) |
How to get there: Drive on the CV-170
to Vistabella. In
Vistabella you find a sign for the monastry of Sant Joan de Penyagolosa.
Drive some 8 kilometres to the sanctuary where you find a restaurant and
accommodation. (Roadmap)
Distance: 3h/9.5km |
| Walk back on the road (1275 m) that you just
came in on. In about two minutes, turn right on a narrower sand
road.
You come to an information panel presenting the flora of the region
(6min) (1285 m). Do not take the wide path with a white-yellow waymark
that starts by the panel, but cross the bridge and take the path marked
by a pile of stones starting by the sign "Microreserva de
Flora".
The path ascends along the gorge of Pegunta through a beautiful pine forest. In the shelter of the old forest the landscape is green even in the hot spells in July and August. The path crosses a couple of streams, but it is better to take drinking water with you. The water of the streams is probably not good for drinking. Following the white-yeallow waymarks you come to a sand road. (50min) (1495 m). Turn right. In few minutes, you reach a fork with parking place. From here on the road is barred by a rope. Take the trail on your left and start climbing towards the top of Penyagolosa. The trail narrows into a path and opens up fine views over the surrounding mountains and valleys all the way to the sea. Closer to the top you can choose between several paths. From the top of the second highest mountain of the Valencian country (1h30min) (1814 m), the other, lower mountains form a hilly landscape dodded by white villages. The top is divided into two projecting rocks revealing the sheer walls of the mountain. Return along the path back to the road (2h05min), which takes you to the monastry. On you way ignore all tracks that fork to the right. There is not much traffic on the road and you have nice views to the slopes and gorges with tall pines covered by a multitude of climbing plants. Here and there you find also cypresses. The road passes a camping area (2h50min) (1305 m) and the information panel (2h55min) by which you ascended on the path. Return back to the monastry (3h). |
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