24th of December
Let’s go to Olocau to do a circular route around the area, visiting various interesting places and hiking up to one of the most important defense castles of muslim era.
In Muslim times this fortress, together with the castles of Chelva and Morvedre, defended the area of Valencia from the north from Aragonese attacks. Among the news of Ibn Alqama, contained in the summary inserted in the great historical compilation of Ibn Idari, on the 11th century Valencia the name of the so-called “Hisn al-Uqab” is recorded, castle to which the king al-Qadir of Valencia sent part of his women and treasures, apparently inherited from his grandfather, al-Mamun, king of the Taifa of Toledo.
The “Roderici history” refers to the castle when recounting how the Cid in search of treasures after the death of al-Qadir seized the “castrum que dicitur Olokabet”, being considered as the fortress that was attacked first in the province of Valencia.
El Arquet
Arquet is a remnant of an ancient aqueduct of Roman origin that is located in the Barranc del Frare, at the end of the Font de Frare avenue, next to the park. The mission of this aqueduct was to drive the water of Barranc del Carraixet, coming from l’Alcalà, through a ditch to Olocau.
Difficulty: medium (13.5km with 350m elevation gain)
Technical level: medium (mostly easy trails, steep ascent to the castle)
Meeting point: Mestalla, parking lot on av. Aragón, 9:30 (return to Valencia ~17:30)
Price: 32 euros (28 euros signing up before Thursday, 22.12) / 12 euros coming to Olocau.
The price includes professional guide, transportation, accident and public liability insurances.
Bring at least 1l of water, lunch, long-sleeve clothes and hiking shoes.
Become a member and get a 6-euros discount for every hike.