If you’re a fan of Spanish nature and hiking, don’t miss this list of the coolest hikes near Valencia to explore some of the most unique natural settings in the region.

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Best Hikes in Valencia Region

Where to enjoy hiking and walking near Valencia?

If you’re visiting the city of Valencia and planning to explore the region with day trips, hiking in local natural parks is a great option. The Valencian Community consists of three Spanish provinces: Castellon, Valencia, and Alicante. It is a relatively large and diverse region with some hiking opportunities requiring an entire weekend to explore, such as climbing one of the region’s highest peaks, Penyagolosa.

In my honest opinion, while the Valencian Community cannot compete with the Pyrenees or the Picos de Europa in Asturias in terms of natural wonders. Yet, the region offers a wonderful combination of charming small towns, beautiful beaches, and unique natural settings. Therefore, while I would not recommend Valencia for those solely seeking the best hiking trails in Spain, it is an excellent choice for a well-rounded travel experience that combines nature, culture, and relaxation.

Although the region does not host any of the country’s top national parks, it is home to several unique natural parks (I explain the difference in this post). Some of the top natural parks in Valencia province include L’Albufera, Las Hoces de Cabriel, Sot de Chera, parts of Serra Calderona, La Marjal de Pego-Oliva, and La Serra Mariola. In Castellon, notable natural parks include the Tinenca de Benifassa, Serra d’Irta, Desert de les Palmes, Serra d’Espada, and part of Serra Calderona. In Alicante, key natural parks include the Parque Natural de la Font Roja, Serra Gelada, Peñon d’Ifac, Parque Natural de Montgo, El Hondo, and part of La Marjal de Pego-Oliva.

The hikes that I mention on this list can be visited on a day trip from Valencia, however I also reccomend checking out my post about hiking in kistellon for more lesserknown trails (some of whiche technically belong to Castellon province but can be visited on a day trip from Valencia too).

Top Hikes near Valencia

The hikes I mention on this list can be visited on a day trip from Valencia. However, I also recommend checking out my post about hiking in Castellon for more lesser-known trails (some of which technically belong to Castellon province but can be visited from Valencia too). Plus, you can read more about my hiking essentials in this post.

1. Ruta del Aqueducto Romano de Peña Cortada

Distance: 16 km (check out this trail on Wikiloc)

Ruta del Acueducto Romano de Peña Cortada is one of my favorite hikes in Valencia because it is extremely unique. As you follow the trail, you walk across an authentic ancient Roman aqueduct and later enter impressive mountain tunnels. You can check out some videos on my IG stories.

Pro Tip: I get asked a lot about reaching Chelva/Calles by public transportation. Honestly, to do this hike as a Valencia day trip, you will need a car. The bus connection is poor – you can check it here. If you do not plan to rent a car in Valencia, you can also book the organized Peña Cortada Aqueduct Hiking Day Tour.

This route can be found between the villages of Chelva and Calles. In my experience, most visitors reach Chelva and then follow a local unpaved road marked with a Peña Cortada sign toward the parking area (also indicated on Google Maps). It only takes about 15 minutes of walking to reach the Roman aqueduct and the tunnels (no wonder this area was packed with people on Saturday). However, only a few visitors continue beyond the Roman ruins. So, I wouldn’t say this hike is particularly busy, since most people turn back after the tunnels. On my last visit, we did a 16km circular route, but the distance can easily be reduced to 2km if you return the same way after the aqueduct and tunnels. While I took the kids to the Ruta del Acueducto Romano de Peña Cortada, I wouldn’t say it’s the most child-friendly trail, as the aqueduct has no protective barriers. On the other hand, it’s definitely a great option for those looking for adventurous things to do in Spain.

2. Ruta de los Puentes Colgantes / Chulilla

Distance: 15,8 km (check out this trail on Wikiloc)

Ruta de los Puentes Colgantes (also known as Ruta de Los Calderones) was one of my first-ever hikes near Valencia. It can be translated to English as “The Route of the Hanging Bridges of Chulilla.” Today, it is one of the most popular trails in the region. Since 2019, there has been a 1-euro fee to access it, even though the first time I visited this trail back in 2016, it was completely free. There are different options for this hiking trail, as some people only want to cross the bridges, which are located at the very beginning of the hike. If you plan to try this hike on a Valencia day trip, you will need to go by car. There is a Chulilla-Valencia bus on weekdays, but it is mainly for the locals of Chulilla who work or study in Valencia, as it departs Chulilla in the morning and returns from Valencia in the evening. You can find the schedule here and read more about my experience in this post.

If you do not plan to rent a car, you can book one of the organized tours: Walking Tour of the Hanging Bridges of Chulilla, Chulilla Canyon Hike: private full day tour, or Chulilla and the Hanging Bridges Day Trip.

3. Ruta al Mirador Garbi / Sierra Calderona

Distance: 8 km or 1,8 km (check out this trail on Wikiloc)

Mirador Garbi is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the entire Valencia region, popular among locals but still considered a hidden gem by international visitors. Located 40 km from the city of Valencia, it lies in the heart of the Serra Calderona Natural Park. The viewpoint can be found at the top of the 593-meter-high mountain, offering truly unique views of the region. There are two main hiking routes leading to the Garbi lookout: La Ruta de las Cadenas (also called La Canal del Garbi) and a short walk from Parking Mirador del Garbi. The first option, La Ruta de las Cadenas, is an 8-km long hiking trail for more experienced visitors that begins near Segart. However, if you are in Valencia with kids or looking for an easy walk, consider parking at Pla de Garbi (also called Parking Mirador del Garbi on Google Maps) and taking a short circular route (1.8 km) towards Llosar – Mirador Garbi – La Ermita de la Santa Cruz.

4. Ruta de Marjal dels Moros / Sagunto

Distance: 8.5km (check out this trail on Wikiloc)

Marjal dels Moros is a wetland area popular for birdwatching in the region. It was declared a protected natural area in 1996. Located 26 km from Valencia, it lies between the Spanish towns of Sagunto and Pucol. The hiking route begins at Pucol’s beach, Playa de Pucol. Along the route, you’ll find many viewpoints for birdwatching and walkways that cross the water-covered areas. The Marjal dels Moros hiking route is especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset due to the water reflections, although, in terms of natural settings, it is not my personal favorite. However, its major advantage is the absence of elevations, making it the easiest place to walk near Valencia.

5. Ruta de los Molinos / Alborache

Distance: 4,48 km (check out this trail on Wikiloc)

Ruta de los Molinos de Alborache is one of the shortest and easiest hikes in Valencia. It’s a simple walk, only 1.7 km long one way. Some even do it with baby strollers. The hiking trail begins at Aparcamiento del Molino Galán. You can download a PDF with more details in Spanish at www.alborache.es. The map of the route can be found there as well.

6. Ruta del Agua / Buñol

Distance: 10,7 km (check out this trail on Wikiloc)

While the village of Buñol is globally known for its La Tomatina, one of the most iconic Spanish festivals, the area is also one of the greenest settings near Valencia. Ruta del Agua de la Hoya de Buñol is a circular hiking route that begins at Parque de San Luis in Buñol (40 km from Valencia). One of the biggest natural gems of this itinerary is Cueva de Turche, a cave with its 60-meter-high waterfall. The other main stops on the trail are Charco Mañan and Cueva de las Palomas. Alternatively, you can reach Cueva de Turche by car, but the only option to leave your car is the nearby parking lot (costs 5 euros).

7. Ruta Monasterio de Santa Maria de la Murta / Alzira

Distance: from 1,5 km and up (check out this trail on Wikiloc)

This trail is one of the most versatile options on this list of hikes near Valencia, as you essentially arrive at La Murta Paratge Natural Municipal in the village of Alzira and have several hiking options once you park. The valley where you’ll find yourself is called Valle de La Murta, and it’s a popular spot for local to enjoy a quiet weekend picnic or a hike. The area is open from 8:00 to 19:00 from March to October, from 8:00 to 20:00 from April to September, and from 8:00 to 18:00 from November to February. Initially, you must book your entrance a few days in advance through the local website of Alzira, but for some reason, no one checked our tickets. I’m not sure if this was a one-time thing or a regular occurrence. Many visitors simply walk towards the ruins of the ancient monastery of Santa Maria de la Murta. It’s only a few kilometers along the unpaved road, and you can see many people doing it with baby strollers, so it’s obviously an easy option for unprepared hikers. You can check out more details from my visit via this IG Reel.

8. La Devesa de l’Albufera

Distance: 300 m – 2 km (check out the trails here)

La Devesa de l’Albufera is one of the closest natural settings to Valencia, known for its unique greenery and the sandbar that separates the Albufera lagoon from the Mediterranean Sea. It has an approximate length of 10 km, a width of 1 km, and covers an area of about 850 hectares. There are 6 marked walking routes ranging from 300 m to 2 km, allowing visitors to explore the protected area of Devesa. Each trail is identified by a color and has a different theme, allowing travelers to choose the one that interests them most. You can download maps in Spanish here. On a more personal note, La Devesa de l’Albufera is not my favorite natural setting near Valencia, but it is the closest and easiest option for walking in nature from the city.

9. Ruta de las 3 Cascadas / Anna

Distance: 8,66 km (check out this trail on Wikiloc)

The Ruta de las 3 Cascadas is a hiking trail in the village of Anna near Valencia that has been growing in popularity in recent years, offering a refreshing escape through lush forests and leading to three unique waterfalls. The trail is approximately 8 kilometers long, but there are alternative itineraries to make it longer or shorter. It is suitable for hikers of various skill levels, but during my visit, the area was packed with visitors from Valencia who came for a picnic, so I would not call it a quiet walk in nature.

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