Walking :

You will find a dossier in the cottage with much more detailed information of the activities available and places to visit in the area.

Walking The Flour Mills Route Revisit days gone by. Six flour mills dating from 1400 to 1781, one of which has been fully restored and is open to the public. Baranc dels Horts (Orchard Gorge) Walk Marvel at the impressive size of the Major Oak The Miners Track This is the old pathway used by the miners. Visit the mine museum. The Dinosaurs Way Follow in the footsteps of the dinosaurs. Visit the museum in Morella.

Golf Panoramica Golf and Country Club is an eighteen hole golf course designed by Bernhard Langer with gradual undulations. This well cared for course offers a challenge to the expert golfer as well as a wonderful opportunity for practice for the high handicap player and a real test of golfing skills for the beginner. The course is situated six miles (10Km ) from the coast where it benefits from the Mediterranean climate.

Paintball "Warzone Montegordo" at Tirig offers this fun open-air activity which involves strategy, communication and teamwork. There are two circuits: Speedball, a small playing area with artificial obstacles and Woodball, a circuit in a dense pine wood. Minimum 6 to 8 players over 14 years of age. All necessary equipment is provided. Participants are advised to wear loose clothing. Group bookings require two days notice. www.paintball-warzone.net

St. Joseph's Grotto St. Joseph's Grotto (Grutas de San Jose) This is a natural underground cave of incomparable beauty where the longest navigable river in Europe is to be found. Your visit will enable you to enter the depths of the Earth, cross the peaceful waters by boat whilst observing the strange rock formations moulded by the effect of the water over thousands of years. Pass back through time at amazing speed, imagining how stalactites and stalagmites grow and absorb the silence which is only broken by the murmuring of the water.

Places to Visit

Peñiscola At the time of the Christian Reconquest the Knights Templar settled on this promontory where an arab fortification already stood and very quickly appreciated the potential of turning it into an impregnable fortress. The present Templar castle was built between 1294 and 1307 over the remains of the Arab citadel. Those responsible for the building were Friar Berenguer de Cardona who was the Master of the Order of the Temple in Aragon and Catalonia and Friar Arnaldo de Banyuls who was the Knight Commander of Peniscola

Morella Visiting Morella is like crossing time's frontier to visit the past. At more than 3,300 feet (1,000m) the mighty castle seems to be suspended like a crown over the town which is spread out at its feet, facing the midday sun. Its perimeter is bounded by an ancient wall more than a mile and a half (2.5Km) long from which rise fourteen towers and six gated entrances. There are countless reasons to visit Morella ; all the Iberian civilisations, Celts, Greeks, Romans, Carthaginians and Arabs have left their mark here on their passage to the capital city.

Valltorta The land of Valencia has been inhabited since the earliest times. Such is the evidence provided by the numerous archeological sites scattered throughout the area. The drawings to be found in the East of the Iberian Peninsula have been characterised as "Levantine Art" and declared a part of World Heritage by UNESCO. The prehistoric painters chose certain caves which opened into sunny slopes or escarpments for their work, especially those which enjoyed a privileged location.

Catí A walk round Cati will acquaint you with some beautiful cameos and facades proudly showing off stonework which is centuries old. In the old town centre you will find mediaeval houses, outstanding amongst which are the Casa de la Vila (the Town Hall) and the Casa de Miralles, both constructed in the fifteenth century in the Gothic style. You can also take in the Casa de Montserrats, the Casa del Delme and the Casa de los Sans. It is also possible to go round the fourteenth century parish church. Typical of local produce are the large variety of home made turrons and marzipans and the famous Cati cheese.

Culla This small town, built around a ruined arab castle is located at some 3,600 feet (1,100m) from which height it affords a splendid panorama. Some remnants of the walls are preserved as well as some turrets and Gothic doorways. These give a mediaeval ambience to the old part of the town which has been declared a place of Historical and Artistic Interest. Some four miles (6Km) away from the town on the right hand side of the road you will see a sign for the fountain of Molinell. If you like you can walk down to the source of the River Monlleo.

San Pablo Going from The Mediterranean Garden towards Torre d'En Bessora and turning left on to the Albocasser road, five miles (7Km) down it you will come across the Hermitage of St Paul, the construction of which goes back to the fifteenth century although it was enlarged on successive occasions in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. An impressive and symbolic building, it has been declared a National Historic and Artistic Monument and it is situated in a beautiful, peaceful enclave on a fertile plain settled sinnce Roman times. This is a place where children can have fun playing in the surroundings.

also spelt Sant Mateu - St. Matthew) San Mateo is the ancient capital of the Maestrat (or Maestrazgo) region. Here you make a date with culture. San Mateo oozes with history; it was here that the Western Schism was ended and where the Palace of the Grand Master of the Order of Montesa is located. It is home to important civil and religious monuments and, also, at the present time, to the exibition "Paisajes Sagrados" (Holy Landscapes) presented by the Valencian Regional Government through the Light of Imagery Foundation. On the outskirts it is worth visiting the charming Sanctuary of Mare de Deu dels Angels.

Oceanographic For the first time the City of Arts and Sciences Oceanarium invites you to discover an authentic marine park which encompasses the major oceans and seas of the planet. Covering 12 acres (110,000m2) and containing 42 million litres of water (the equivalent of fifteen Olympic swimming pools) it is the largest oceanarium in Europe.

The Environment

The historic area of the Maestrat is found in the North of the province of Castellon. Its unusual orography gives rise to a wild landscape where completely flat areas contrast with soaring peaks and deep gorges so that you do not need to be reminded that you are in one of the most mountainous regions of Spain. With its mild temperature range the Mediterranean climate makes for a pleasant stay at any time of the year. The nature lover will be presented with countryside typical of this climate; woods of carrascas (a type of robust evergreen tree similar to oak), oak trees of different varieties, pine woods, lower mountain vegetation and cultivated land: almond, hazel and olive trees.... Besides the attractions of nature there is the historical and cultural heritage, vernacular architecture, folklore and crafts.... We recommend you get to know this area, visit each nook and cranny, get to know the towns and villages and their people, take part in and enjoy local fiestas and ancient customs, admire the cave paintings, taste typical dishes from our varied cuisine or simply relax, soaking in the peace and tranquility.