The Canyon of the River Jucar and Villages of the Province of Abacete

On the zigzagging road to the cave of Don Juan, a stop at this viewpoint is a must. Stop the engine, get out of the car and observe the vastness of the canyon of the river Jucar, with high rocky walls that reach a height of over 300 metres and the river Jucar flowing gently inside.

Located inside one of the ravines near the river Jucar, the tour of the cave is guided. During the visit you can see stalactites and stalagmites and other formations in the rock as a result of water erosion.
The cave is illuminated from the inside. Outside there is a cafeteria where you can enjoy a drink with a view.
Open Hours: All days: 9:15 - 15:15. The last visit to the cave is at 14:30. Visits last 45 minutes, but you must be there 10 minutes in advance.
To access the caves, you must buy your ticket in advance on the official website of the Jalance Town Hall.

Time to visit the beautiful castle of Jalance on the top of the hill. Leave the car in the parking and walk along the ascending path.

The castle of Arab origin still conserves its essence in the exterior structure, with the walls as the main feature. The walk up the hill is well worth it, but the reward is well worth it.
From the castle you can see the whole village of Jalance and even the hills surrounding the river Jucar.
The interior of the castle can only be visited by prior booking with the Jalance tourist office on +34961897171 or by email to jalance@touristinfo.net.
The return to the parking area from the castle takes about fifteen minutes along the same path.

Alcala del Jucar is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain and this viewpoint proves it right.
Before entering the village, park the car at the same viewpoint and contemplate the terraced houses on the mountainside, the church at the bottom and the castle at the top, on top of a rock. A postcard not to be forgotten!

It's time to leave the car parked, have lunch and then explore the village on the banks of the river Jucar.

It's time for lunch, and what better way to do it than on a terrace on the banks of the river Jucar. With beautiful views of the village, the restaurant offers dishes of La Mancha cuisine and grilled specialities.
It is advisable to order a Manchego dish such as gazpacho as a starter and then eat grilled meat or rice. Everything they offer is homemade.
Open Hours: All days: 9:00 - 17:30, 20:00 - 0:00.

This is probably the symbolic image of Alcala del Jucar. It is the place where the river bed meanders. The old restored Roman bridge (which is not Roman at all because it was built centuries later) can be seen against the backdrop of the houses painted white and built against the rock of the ravine.
To take good photographs it is best to go to the park located almost next to the local tourist office.

The castle is situated on a crag in the highest part of the village. Of Arab origin, its exterior structure, part of the walls and the keep are still preserved. It is from this last place where the panoramic views of the village and the gorge of the river Júcar will leave you amazed.
Inside there are explanatory posters about the history of the fortress, protagonists of battles.
If you stay in Alcala del Jucar until the evening, it is worth seeing the castle illuminated at night, it gives a particular charm to the village.
Open Hours: Monday to Friday: 11:00 - 14:00, 16:00 - 19:00. Saturday and Sunday: 10:30 - 14:30, 16:00 - 20:00.

Cave houses have been built along the canyon of the Jucar river, simply by digging out the limestone rock with the help of a shovel and a pickaxe. The oldest cave houses had only one enclosure that served as a dining room and bedroom, and they even lived together with the livestock.
Nowadays, the village conserves two large caves that can be visited together and which are connected to each other. Cueva de Garadén (Garadén Cave) and Cueva del Diablo (Devil's Cave).
They were used as a war shelter, lookout point, livestock, and pigeon breeding. Today you can walk around inside and there is a small bar where you can have a drink inside.
Open Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:30 - 19:30.

After touring Alcala del Jucar, we return to the parking to make the last stop of the two-day route.

The scenic road between Alcala del Jucar and Jorquera runs along the river canyon. Before descending to Jorquera, you should stop at the viewpoint with parking.
From here you can enjoy a panoramic view of the village, nestled at the top of the ravine, with its medieval houses and the castle in the centre. At the bottom, you can see how the river Jucar flows between high rock walls.

At the top of Jorquera and on a hill, the Almohad walls stand out. Although most of them are not in a good state of preservation, they give an idea of the castle that stood on the site and the views of the Jucar canyon.

Homemade food with dishes from La Mancha and other delicacies. It has an indoor dining room, although the best place to eat is on the terrace overlooking the river Jucar.
Its dishes include torreznos (fried strips of pork belly). They also offer meats, tapas and raciones (portions).
Open Hours: All days: 7:00 - 0:00.

After two days following the course of the river Jucar and visiting places of great beauty, the route comes to an end.
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