The GR-37 - Section 1: Baldovar toAlpuente
This trail is a fantastic and accessible option that combines a charming rural setting, a rich archaeological heritage, and impressive medieval ruins.
Here's all the basic information and highlights so you can make the most of the experience:
Route type: Linear.
Distance: 5.5 km.
Difficulty: Low.
Elevation gain: 130 m uphill and 70 m downhill.
Start: The trail begins at the iconic washhouse in the village of Baldovar.
End: It ends in the historic town of Alpuente
This trail is a fantastic and accessible option that combines a charming rural setting, a rich archaeological heritage, and impressive medieval ruins. Along the way, we recommend paying special attention to:
Traditional Architecture and Ethnology: You can begin the route by admiring Baldovar’s traditional washhouse and the adjacent San Roque Fountain. Along the way, the local agricultural architecture stands out, including traditional buildings and farms associated with the region’s livestock industry.
Panoramic Views: As you ascend the dirt trail, if you look back, you’ll enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Hoya de Baldovar, a picturesque agricultural landscape where fields of grain, almond trees, and vineyards stand in contrast to one another, all sheltered by the imposing Cerro Negro and the ridges of the tabular landscape.
The Dinosaur Footprint Site: At the intersection with the paved Virgen Road (km 1.7), if you turn off just 500 meters to the left toward Corcolilla, you can visit the valuable paleontological site at Cañada París, which is perfectly maintained and features explanatory panels.
The Medieval Aqueduct of Los Arcos: At kilometer 3, after crossing the road, you’ll come upon one of the most important monuments in all of La Serranía: the medieval aqueduct of Los Arcos. The trail invites you to walk directly under one of its pointed arches before continuing along the edge of the ravine.
Riverside Landscapes and River Walks: After the aqueduct, you’ll walk along a beautiful path in the shade of poplar trees, following the banks of the Reguero. You’ll cross a wooden bridge to enter the hamlet of Las Eras, founded during the 18th-century agricultural settlements, where the river begins to wind through a spectacular gorge.
The Path of the Medieval Orchards: As a grand finale, the entrance to “Alpuente” is reached by descending alongside the Wine Cooperative along the “Camino de los Huertos,” a path of Islamic origin. A spectacular entrance that ends next to the town’s washing places.