Here we are again! Whereby "we" are now only two. Little Youma suffered an injury a week ago and had to be operated on at the veterinary clinic in Valencia. A thorn from a thorny bush was stuck in her eye and had to be removed. So Youma has to take a break and her mum is looking after her. So it was a "man's day" for Masou and me.
Hiking in the Parque Natural de la Murta
We are in the Parque Natural de la Murta. A small mountain range just a few kilometres from the sea. Right at the beginning, we have walked just one kilometre, we come across the historic "Nevera" building. It was a kind of cold store from the 16th or 17th century. Snow from the surrounding mountains was stored here and, over time, a special technique was used to turn it into ice, which was then used to preserve food, produce medicines or simply make refreshing drinks. The cold store is located just a few hundred metres from the former Murta monastery.
The monastery was built in the 14th or 15th century, but most of it has since crumbled. The tower is still largely intact, and a few foundation walls and arches remain. The upper part of the grounds, where there are two water basins, is very beautiful. The water from the Murta spring collects in these. The spring is located 700 metres along the path and 60 metres above sea level. The water from the spring is channelled from there via a small, brick-built channel, partly on walls and partly on ancient aqueducts. The channels are so old and weathered that the water emerges through small openings, allowing beautiful flora to grow along the aqueducts.
The valley used to be known as the Valley of Miracles due to the wide variety of medicinal plants that grew in the region. Natural remedies were produced in the valley for centuries.
The ascent to the Creu del Cardenal
Once you have left the source of the Murta, the route now climbs steeply towards the summit. First along a wide gravel path, later along a small path through dense bushes with holly trees, including climbing sections. Once you have finally reached the summit of the Creu del Cardenal, you are rewarded with a magnificent view of the Murta hills and the surrounding countryside. Incidentally, rice is grown on the large plain between the sea and the hills to the south of Valencia. And oranges. Lots and lots of oranges!
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[...] I took the time for a "men's day" and went on a hike in the mountains together. Click here for the article about the hike. We parked our camper overnight in a rather lonely car park at the foot of the [...]