This is a lovely walk never far from the sound of running water. Local U3A members use this walk as an alternative venue at Christmas, having a festive picnic high up at the Castle. The walk passes over rivers, through almond, olive and orange groves while offering wonderful views of the sierras of La Safor.

Leaving from the village of Aielo de Rugat we walk past the village Calvary before we cross one of the many streams and start to climb up the ravine, passing through water glades.

As we ascend we pass through pine forests and olive groves and past abandoned houses and an ancient lime kiln.

Crossing the head of the ravine we climb up to another ruined settlement and get our first views of the Castle where we stop for refreshments and admire the 360 degree views.

After leaving the castle we descend past the “Sparkling forest”, so named after the effect that the sunrise has in causing the dew on the trees to sparkle like diamonds, following the river past an old Moorish sheep corral, pools and waterfalls.

Arriving back on the tarmac road we return to the village through orange groves and past the old mill.