An essential route

The route from the source of the Pitarque River is a natural monument 40 Km from Fortanete. It’s one of the essential routes for any hiker visiting our region. It is a route of great beauty in a truly unique environment.

Steep landscapes, rising water in every corner and vegetation will accompany you along the way. The source of the Pitarque River is one of the most visited routes throughout the province.

Starting at Pitarque, the trip lasts two and a half hours. Within the town are several interpretive panels and signs that indicate the route to follow, in addition, roughly half, follow the GR 8 marks.

La entrada The source of the Pitarque River  se publicó primero en El Casal de Nicolás.

Cretaceous Strata

Impressive limestone needles at an altitude of more than two hundred meters, 36 Km from Fortanete, taking their name from their resemblance to the pipes of a musical organ.

The geological explanation of these curious formations is that they are a set of limestone strata from the superior cretaceous period, which were folded in a vertical position during the alpine orogeny phase. The consequent erosive process is the result of water, ice, winds and fluvial erosion, chiselling these peculiar forms, which are included within the network of the Points of geological interest of Aragon.

The best view of the Organs of Montoro can be seen the road itself, at the section called the Collado de Casa Mozuelos, where we can also find interpretive panels on the formation of this strange geological form.

La entrada The Organs of Montoro se publicó primero en El Casal de Nicolás.

The history of our planet

The Interpretation Centre and creation of routes aimed at researchers and university students is located 55 Km from Fortanete. 

A natural setting as well as a vantage point from which to contemplate the past 200 million years of the history of our planet.

Some of its wonderful formations and geological structures, modelled in spectacular relief, are considered by scientists as internationally unique examples.

It offers the possibility of a new perspective on the Earth; to continually ask questions… The accumulation of layers of stratum are like the leaves of a book that tell the story of our planet.

Created for both scientists and inquisitive visitors to get to investigate the Park and its vicinity, in the geological park of Aliaga there are two different routes. One more “scientific” in a natural setting, with 11 stops indicated on the road by metal-plates with explanations on ceramic plates, and another of a more “touristic” character which consists of 9 stops, some of which coincide with the scientific route.

La entrada Geological Park se publicó primero en El Casal de Nicolás.

Alternative Tourism

The concept of ‘slow’ tourism differs greatly from conventional tourism by moving away from traditional routes or guides with strict timetables. Travelling at a more relaxed and leisurely pace allows us to discover and learn more about the places we visit, investigating the nature in its landscapes, the local gastronomy, meeting people, enjoying every minute and above all, relaxing.

The concept of slow tourism is closely related to nature tourism.

The Casal de Nicolás specialises in offering the ideal setting for the purpose of avoiding any kind of stress during your stay.

El Maestrazgo is the ideal destination for the nature lovers and eco-tourism, because it offers nature reserves, protected areas, gardens… for walking or sports such as hiking and cycling.

These are perfect options for visitors who want to delve into the philosophy of the slow tourism, seeking to relax, unwind, find tranquillity and experience contact with nature.

La entrada Slow Tourism se publicó primero en El Casal de Nicolás.

A Natural Water Park

A pretty and exciting ravine suitable for all kinds of public 28 Km from Fortanete. It is a large water park in a completely natural setting full of slides, jumps, bathing areas and endless beautiful spots.

Beautiful landscapes in a little known and extremely peaceful setting that allows for a real appreciation of nature.

La entrada Pozo del Invierno, (Winter Well) se publicó primero en El Casal de Nicolás.

El Maestrazgo Caves

The fortunate physical location of Fortanete allows us to access all these caves without having to move far from the village.

Sima de la Rama, (Branch Chasm)

This cave is located at about 4 Km from Fortanete, in the Sierra de la Cañada, just beyond the Ermita de la Magdalena. It is a cave with numerous levels (requiring at least two ropes, though more ropes are recommended for making descents) and with and spacious cavernous areas connected by passages.

Cueva de Boca Negra, (Black Mouth Cave)

Located in the Rambla del Mal Burgo, in front of the Masico of Zoticos and the Más Alto, at about 10 Km from Fortanete. At 114 meters deep, it is the deepest cave in the province. The underground river running inside is the source of the Pitarque River. This makes it particularly important that visitors are informed of possible storms or snowmelts that could completely flood some passages.

Cueva del Turcacho, (Turcacho Cave)

30 Km from Fortanete, hand ropes and abseiling are required to reach the inside. It is near the Ermita del Cid, under a rock formation.

The remarkable stereometry, narrow passages and interesting formations of this cave provide added interest to the exciting exploration.

Magnificent typical stone constructions in this area of El Maestrazgo can be admired from the access track. The main opening (the easiest to access) has a gate and a secondary opening consists of a narrow passage not far from the main, a couple of meters in height from of the main opening.

Narrow passages, spacious caverns, tunnels, and changes of direction combine with beautiful contrasting colours, especially visible on the cave’s ceiling.

Further along the route becomes easier, beautifully decorated, passing a very eroded large band of colours. It ends after several turns in a space with columns, and in which a painted tile with an image of the Virgin of el Cid can be found.

La entrada Caving se publicó primero en El Casal de Nicolás.

A wild and little-known spot

A dry ravine that crosses the entire South/North boundary of Fortanete, perfect for all those adventurers who would like to learn about the source of the Pitarque River from a different perspective. It is an alternative and unseen route, and which allows access to the source of the river whilst enjoying places virtually undiscovered until now.

A wonderful route that follows the river’s course until reaching its headwaters.

This extensive route involves zigzagging down the narrow dry riverbed of the Pitarque River; the zigzag shape of this ravine is what gives it the name of Vueltas Modorras (dizzying turns).

These places of stunning natural beauty are filled with light and shadows are lost corners full of charm and rock formations that allow our imaginations to run, and guide us to the aquatic paradises offered up by the source of the Pitarque River.

La entrada The Vueltas Modorras Ravine se publicó primero en El Casal de Nicolás.

Mycology in El Maestrazgo

The wild mushroom season attracts mushroom foragers and mycology enthusiasts to the hills in our region. El Maestrazgo is one of the best places in the Province of Teruel to find the most valued and delicious wild mushrooms. The wild mushroom season is complemented by mycological and gastronomic seminars. 

The Mycological Reserve in El Maestrazgo covers an area of approximately 10,000 mountainous hectares for public use, enclosed and regulated for mushroom picking.

Permits can be purchased at any of the associated establishments displaying the project’s logo or via the web: www.deportesmaestrazgo.es. A mycological guide is given to anyone with a pass and provides detailed information about the reserve. The money raised from the sale of these passes goes towards making improvements to the mountains of El Maestrazgo.

La entrada Wild mushroom picking  se publicó primero en El Casal de Nicolás.