Stage: Altura - Algimia de Alfara

The stage begins in the town of Altura, known for its rich architectural heritage. Be sure to explore its charming main square and the historic Church of San Miguel Arcángel. We pick up the route right where the previous stage left off, on the old railway in the town of Altura. Soon after setting off, we reach the edge of a water pool, likely created after the final closure of the mining railway. Slowly leaving the town centre of Altura behind, reaching a small railway building that was renovated in 2007 and transformed into the Casa de Oficios Óleo-Altura.

After just under two kilometres, we come across the Rambla Monteros Rest Area. Here, crossing the Rambla Monteros viaduct, we can take in the meanders formed by the riverbed, sheltered by riverside vegetation that provides an ideal habitat for a diverse range of wildlife.

A kilometre further along, a crossroads and a signpost mark our arrival at Mas de Valero. The sign also tells us the distance to the end of the stage, along with other points of interest like the Mirador de Sot and El Juncar.

To the left of the route lies the historic town of Segorbe, well worth a leisurely visit. Take some time to explore its medieval walls, La Estrella Castle and the Prison Tower, all while enjoying its exquisite culinary offerings in a relaxed setting. Fruit crops are slowly becoming more prominent. After carefully crossing a small road, we arrive at the old Segorbe station, where a rest area and the ruins of the remaining railway building greet them.

Two kilometres later, we cross the Rambla Rovira, passing beneath its viaduct, with its three stone arches. Here, the path continues alongside the railway line on the left, with a forest of reforested Aleppo pines (Pinus halepensis) to the right. This forest, which was devastated by fire a few years ago, is slowly coming back to life with new growth, as young trees gradually take root and help protect the soil from erosion.

The trail continues for a few metres alongside the A-23 motorway, then veers left, leaving it behind. Further on, on the same side, lies the town of Soneja, an area that has been inhabited since Palaeolithic times. It was depopulated in 1609 during the expulsion of the Moors, but was repopulated shortly after with the signing of a new Charter. Due to its rich history, Soneja is well worth a visit, where you can admire the old palace of the Dukes of Montellano and the church of San Miguel Arcángel.

Returning to the trail, after tackling an uphill ramp and a brief, swift descent, we leave the old railway line at a crossroads leading to the access road of a quarry. Here, the path continues, leaving the active railway line on the left and the quarry, in a different stage of exploitation and restoration, on the right. The route then continues past a deep lagoon, once part of the quarry, which has now become a wetland, providing a habitat for a rich variety of wildlife, especially amphibians and birds.

The trail follows the old railway line, and we reach the Mirador de Sot de Ferrer viewpoint, which offers an unbeatable panoramic view and invites you to explore the Palacio del Señor and the Church of La Inmaculada Concepción. The white staircase leading up to the Shrine of San Antonio de Padua is a real spectacle.

Back on the route, after just over a kilometre, we cross the viaduct over the Barranco Juncar ravine. A kilometre further along, an underpass beneath the A-23 motorway diverts the route from the original iron path, leading us onto a dirt track between the access roads to the motorway.

The route returns to the old railway line, passing through an area of trenches carved into the natural rock. Shortly after, it briefly deviates from the railway line before reconnecting just a few metres before a new kilometre marker. The signposting invites us to take detour and visit the town of Algar de Palancia, located to the left of the route and the first town in the province of Valencia. There we can admire the 18th-century church of Nuestra Señora de la Merced and the 13th-century Árabe Tower, which now houses the town hall.

Upon returning to the route, we cross the N-225 via an underpass. Shortly after that, we the old mining railway line, leading to the Arquinas viaduct with its four stone arches.

Amidst orange and mandarin groves, the kilometres slip by, with the unmistakable scent of orange blossom filling the air and permeating the senses. At the top of a promontory, we can make out the Shrine of Nuestra Señora de los Afligidos. Behind this mountainous outcrop, hidden from view of the trail, lies Alfara de la Baronía, where we can explore the Plaza de la Mare de Déu and the Church of San Agustín Obispo.