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Most people visit the Province of Valencia in search of beautiful beaches and sandy coastlines. Therefore, you’ll be surprised to find out that there are actually many amazing hikes in Valencia nature lovers simply can’t miss. The route of the hanging bridges of Chulilla is definitely one of them.

Hiking in Valencia

While driving through the Province of Valencia you can’t help but notice that landscapes are mainly dry and plain. Valencia is internationally famous for its hot-summer Mediterranean climate. You can expect an average of several rainy days per month. The contrast with places like Asturias, Navarra, or Basque Country is quite drastic here. But then in Northern Spain, you have the greenery embellished by majestic cliffs and the ocean. It is all so different from Valencia that once you do a road trip in Spain and navigate in between those provinces, it´s often hard to believe you’re still driving through the same country.

Also read: Must-See Magical Forests in Spain

So, once you decide to take a day trip from Valencia to escape the city buzz – you just never expect to encounter a hidden oasis of greenery somewhere in the province. Or at least I absolutely did not. Like I couldn’t believe my eyes while exploring the Don Quijote Route and visiting Lagunas de Ruidera National Park. It just does not fit into the general landscape panorama.

However, the province of Valencia is full of surprises, hidden gems, and undiscovered places. One of the coolest hikes in Valencia is definitely The route of the hanging bridges of Chulilla or La ruta de los puentes colgantes de Chulilla in Spanish. It is a little oasis of greenery you should really check once in the region.

The only warning – this hike gets quite busy on the weekends. (*Note, officially there´s a 1 euro fee to access the trail since 2019, although back when I wrote this post it was free).

So if you’re looking for more silent walks with nature – consider hiking in Castellon. There are so many lesser-known great hikes in the Region of Valencia ( blog subscribers, don’t forget your freebie with the ultimate Valencia Region Hiking Checklist) and Valencia Hidden Gems.

For more real-time videos and pictures of my hikes in the Valencian Community – head to my IG @at_lifestyle_crossroads and explore the Story Highlights Castellon, Valencia, Alicante, and Hiking.

The route of the hanging bridges of Chulilla, a must stop for hikers in the province of Valencia

Visiting Chulilla

Chulilla is a 50min drive from the city of Valencia, 1h30min drive from Castellon and 1h50min drive from Teruel. The route of the hanging bridges of Chulilla (also called Ruta de Los Calderones) can be accessed from the road CV-394, connecting Chulilla and Losa: once you see the sign “Ecoparque” you turn towards the Loriguilla Reservoir area, where you can leave your car.

Once we parked and followed the sign towards the hiking trail I only had one thought in mind: “Is it really here? There are no actual mountains in the area, so where on the earth would those hanging bridges rise? However, once we walked a bit, the cliffs of the Turia canyon started to show up.

The route of the hanging bridges of Chulilla, a must stop for hikers in the province of Valencia

Ruta de Los Calderones / The route of the hanging bridges

The whole Ruta de Los Calderones hike is more or less 2,5h. Lots of people do it with kids and pets. However, the area where you find the two hanging bridges is all about the stairs – you walk downwards and once you cross the bridges, follow on along the canyon river. So just keep the stairs thing in mind.

There are some trees in the area, but honestly, before you get inside the canyon there is nowhere to hide from the sun. Don’t forget to take some water with you, there are no fountains on the road to refill your bottle.

Also read: 10 Photos to Inspire You to Visit The Canary Islands

The highest bridge is about 15 meters high. All over the internet people write it is not suitable for those who are afraid of heights. It is definitely a bit scary, but you cross it quickly and it´s only this one first bridge on your way. I was honestly more concerned not to slip on the stairs.

Once you walk your way through the bridges, you notice more greenery around you, the temperature drops a bit and it becomes quite pleasant for a hike. Anyway, we visited in summer and I´d rather go back in Spring or Autumn for a more comfortable hike.

The route of the hanging bridges of Chulilla, a must stop for hikers in the province of Valencia

A bit of history

Two bridges of Ruta de Los Calderones hike are of recent construction (built-in 2013). Although their story goes back to the 50s. Back then the population of a small village of Chulilla in the Province of Valencia had increased due to the construction works at the Loriguilla Reservoir nearby. Most of the workers had the Turia Canyon on their way to work, so they decided to build two bridges to shorten up a bit their daily walk to work.

Also read: Historical Valencia – The Borgia Route in Spain

As one of the coolest and easiest hikes in Valencia, The route of the hanging bridges of Chulilla is a great family getaway idea. It is mostly visited by the Valencians from different cities in the region. You should really go earlier in the morning, on weekends it might get crowded (especially in the area near the bridges).

The Turia Canyon is also a popular destination for rock climbers. Indeed, we saw some of them during our hike. But I guess I´m not at this level of adventure travel yet…

The route of the hanging bridges of Chulilla, a must stop for hikers in the province of Valencia
The route of the hanging bridges of Chulilla, a must stop for hikers in the province of Valencia

Anyway, The route of the hanging bridges of Chulilla simply belongs on your list of must-do hikes in Valencia. For more Valencia travel ideas you can check my posts 10 Places in The Province of Valencia You´ve never Heard Of and 10 Epic Hikes in Castellon, The Province of Valencia. Nature-lovers should check Navajas, La Senda Del Rio de Teresa and Jerica. And if you don’t mind driving a bit longer, you can also hike The Millenary Olive Trees Route in Canet lo Roig.

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