The best walks and hikes around Azuébar

The El Socavón Mine is a former cinnabar (mercury sulfide) mine located in the municipality of Chóvar, within the Sierra de Espadán Natural Park. Cinnabar is the mineral from which mercury is extracted. These mines were once exploited for their industrial value, as mercury was used to amalgamate gold and silver.

It was a really beautiful but also strenuous hike. There are very rocky paths shortly after the start and also at the end. In the end we were still happy, the view is magnificent!

It was built in the 12th century by the Muslims who inhabited the region. Its original purpose was to retain the waters of the ravine of the same name and then use them to irrigate the fields downstream. This route is ideal for hiking lovers and offers a variety of landscapes and experiences. I hope you enjoy exploring the Ajuez Reservoir and its surroundings! 🌿🏞️

Ernbalse de Ajuez Unfortunately, the reservoir is almost dry and things are slowly getting tight for the fish and turtles. The Chóvar Reservoir, as it is also called, is part of an ancient local irrigation system built to retain the rushing water from the eponymous gorge. The place name is derived from Arabic, the meaning of which means “common pastureland” and indicates the importance of agriculture and livestock breeding in the region. Due to its capacity of 30,000 m³ and the lack of water sources in the nature park, it is of great value for the fauna. It is currently included in the catalog of wetlands of the Valencian Community

Cinnabar mines. An example of the importance of the metallurgical activity that took place in the Sierra Espadán are the remains of the currently abandoned Hembral mining complex, where, among other things, remains of the El Socavón mine can be seen, consisting of the landfill and the engine, rails, wagons and the cavity, which is currently closed due to its potential danger. This was the last exploitation in the 1970s to extract cinnabar, also known as vermilion because of its color, a mineral composed primarily of mercury and used to separate gold and silver from other minerals.

After the Reconquista, many castles in the region were modified or rebuilt to adapt to Christian styles and needs.

The Castro Castle, an Arab fortress with an impressive watchtower at a height of about 780 m, was a fundamental bastion of the Moorish resistance at the time of their expulsion. It was taken by the Duke of Segorbe and General Cavanilles after the Castillo de Aín had also fallen. It was also used in the Carlist Wars. The castle covers an area of about 2,000 m2, where two parts can be distinguished: the "Albacar", a fortified refuge for the inhabitants of the towns dependent on the fortress; and on the other side, the castle itself, which presided surrounded by a large keep that was demolished in 1938 during the Civil War. The views are impressively beautiful.

Magnificent views of the entire Sierra Espadán