6th of January
A scenic hike through La Murta valley in Alzira with an ascent to Creu Cardenal peak as well as Cavall Bernat. We will also visit the monastery of Santa Maria de la Murta towards the end of the route.
We’ll meet in Valencia in the parking lot on av. Aragón in front of Mestalla stadium and drive to Alzira. Once there, we’ll have a cup of coffee on a terrace of a bar before starting the hike. The route starts from a parking lot in the heart of la Murta valley. First we’ll take a Botanical trail ascending on the right hand side of valley, which then slowly goes around and brings us to Creu Cardenal. Here we’ll get to contemplate the views of the valley, but our main peak of the day is still ahead. A steeper trail with some scrambling will take us to the peak of Cavall Bernat – the highest point of the route and also a lunch spot. From here we will descend along a different trail and explore the Santa Maria de la Murta monastery ruins after the hike. We’ll drive to Alzira to have a drink on a terrace and then return to Valencia.
La Murta
The Municipal Natural Area of La Murta and La Casella, located in the municipality of Alzira and in the heart of the Sierra de Corbera -between the Sierras del Cavall Bernat and Les Agulles-, is one of the emblematic enclaves of the Valencian geography, especially in as regards its flora, which, with an area of 765.64 ha., was declared as such on November 5, 2004 for its scenic, historical and heritage interest.
Its high landscape value is evident in its steep mountain ranges, such as the “Serra de les Agulles”, which flank fertile valleys, as well as the intense karstification, which gives rise to the presence of numerous chasms and caves, configuring a landscape of great beauty that it contrasts with the coastal plain and the valley of the Xúquer river. From the peaks of Cavall Bernat, Creu del Cardenal, La Ratilla, or from the l’Ouet forest observatory, you can see a large part of the Ribera Baixa and Alta.
La Murta monastery at Más Allá de la Ciudad
Difficulty: medium/high (12km with 500m elevation gain).
Technical level: high (some scrambling on the ascent to Cavall Bernat).
Transportation: 9-seater minibus (alternatively, you can drive to the hike starting point in your own vehicle)
Price: 20 euros (15 coming with your own car).
Meeting point: Mestalla, parking lot on av. Aragón, 9:30 (return to Valencia ~17:00)
Bring at least 1l of water, lunch, warm clothes and hiking shoes.
COVID-19 Safety Measures:
– the temperature of all the participants will be measured prior to getting in the minibus
– hand gel use (provided) is mandatory
– wearing a mask is mandatory in all closed spaces