Villahermosa Del Río: Hiking and Culture

The Río Carbo flows through the municipality of Villahermosa del Río at the foot of Penyagolosa. The Penyagolosa Natural Park also extends across the municipality. Hiking routes lead through gorges, forests and viewpoints; at the same time, protected buildings and religious traditions shape the town. When planning your visit, you can choose between exploring the landscape and learning about local history.

Hiking routes between river and gorge

The Barranco de la Hoz circular hike passes through the Hoz gorge of the Río Carbo. It starts at the recreation area where the Río Carbo flows into the Río Villahermosa. Along the way, the trails run beside rock faces that provide nesting sites for birds and shelter for Iberian ibex. The restored Romanesque-Gothic bridge provides access to the start of this route.

The Cascada Río Carbo route starts elsewhere: it begins at Plaza de la Iglesia, by the tourist information office, and passes through the town on its way to the river. Along the route are an old mill, several waterfalls and pools such as the Pozo Negro. The two routes therefore differ in both their starting points and their courses: one begins at the recreation area by the river mouth and passes through the Hoz, while the other starts in town.

The Barranco Magro route begins on the CV-175 and descends directly into the gorge. Its geology has been shaped by the erosion of Triassic mountains; the gorges are mostly limestone. The route is considered prone to flooding and slippery. Keep these trail conditions in mind when planning your visit.

The Cascada la Tosca route starts at the foot of the Ermita San Antonio and leads to the Paraje de la Tosca. There you will find the natural cave La Tosca, with a water source and limestone formations such as stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is closed to protect the vegetation and formations; the area is designated as a protected natural space. The trail leads to the Paraje, but the cave itself is not accessible.

Forests, peaks and via ferratas

On the Pino Cacho–San Bartolomé route, you can reach Pino Cacho from the end of Calle Hospital after about 3.6 kilometres. The trail passes through pine and holm oak forests; griffon vultures are often spotted along the route. On the Monte Altís route, the summit of Altís is at an elevation of 1,300 metres. Natural viewpoints there offer views of Penyagolosa. Griffon vultures, golden eagles, Iberian ibex and wild boar can often be seen along this route.

The via ferratas also differ in their features. La Muela is 140 metres long, gains 100 metres in elevation and offers views of the rugged surroundings of Villahermosa del Río. La Mina combines an equipped via ferrata with scenic views and a passage through an underground section of the former La Amorosa copper mine. For another excursion, the route from Villahermosa del Río leads to the San Juan de Peñagolosa sanctuary; it starts in town and can be covered on foot or in your own vehicle.

Churches, art and local traditions

The church of Nuestra Señora de la Natividad is designated as a locally protected monument. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross: a central nave and two side aisles are complemented by a transept; the presbytery has an octagonal end. The parish church also houses Gothic altarpieces attributed to the Maestro de Villahermosa.

The Ermita San Antonio Abad is a church dating from the Reconquista and is designated as a locally protected monument. Its murals depict San Cristóbal and San Sebastián and are considered rare surviving examples of this type of wall painting in the region. Another notable historic structure is the surviving El Tamborete tower: it is of Arab origin and formed part of fortifications dating from the early Reconquista.

The Ermita de San Bartolomé is about eight kilometres from Villahermosa del Río. It is also a locally protected monument and can be reached via the CV-197. To visit the Piscifactoría de Villahermosa del Río, you can contact the town hall or tourist information office in advance so they can explain the facilities and how they operate. You can fish for the brown trout raised there in the Piscifactoría's lake.

Visitor information and a January festival

Tourist Info Villahermosa del Río provides tourist information, assistance and guidance for the municipality and the entire Comunitat Valenciana. A recurring event in the annual calendar is the festival in honour of San Antonio Abad: it is celebrated in January on the weekend closest to 17 January. The celebrations include a large bonfire, the blessing of animals, a procession and the distribution of handmade blessed flatbreads.

Discover more destinations: Castellón De La Plana, Chóvar, Coll D'ares, Lucena Del Cid, Aín, La Vall D'uixó, Geldo, Villanueva de Viver.

For the main travel overview: Castellon.