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Sierra de Gudar Route
Alcala de la Selva Castle
Gudar landscape
Mosqueruela
After leaving Teruel, take the N-234 towards Valencia. On reaching Puerto de Escandón, leave the road and take a turning on the left that leads to the starting point of the route through Sierra de Gúdar: Formiche Alto. The town is on the banks of the river Mijares on a hillside. The parish church and Town Hall, dated 1660, are in the centre of the town and are interesting buildings, together with the chapel of Virgen de Loreto, built in 1615 and the mediaeval bridge over the river. The quarter of Formiche bajo has an attractive Town Hall dated 1629 and two chapels, that of Virgen de Loreto and that of San Cristóbal, the latter situated on a hilltop with fantastic views of the surrounding areas.
After leaving Formiche Alto, head towards El Castellar, on the banks of the river Valbona. The remains of an ancient castle can be seen, and other monuments of interest such as the parish church of San Miguel, a Baroque building dating from the 18th century, the chape of Santa Bárbara, chapel of Virgen del Pilar, also in the Baroque style, built in the 18th century and the Town Hall, built between the 16th and 17th centuries. After descending the road from Mora, you will come to Cabra de Mora, near the river Alcalá, which is surrounded by hills and mountains such as mount San Cristóbal, Cabezo de Carramacho, la Nava, or Pelamozos.
Alcala de la Selva is the next stop. Located beneath its magnificent Muslim castle, the town is an attractive meeting point for visitors, both in winter (since the ski resort of Valdelinares is nearby) and in summer due to the important offering of lodgings in the town and its extraordinary summer climate (this area is ideal for tourists who enjoy practising sports). The most interesting features of the town are the parish church of San Simón and San Judas, dating from the 16th century, the chapels of San Roque and Nuestra Señora de Loreto; the Town Hall and the sanctuary of Virgen de la Vega, a Baroque building dating from the 18th century, situated in a privileged site. There is no doubt that Alcalá de la Selva has incomparable surroundings, with green forests, high mountain peaks (for instance the Peñarroya), lakes (for example the one near la Riscla) or waterfalls (such as las Lavaderas).
After leaving the town, head towards Gudar for which purpose turn off the local road and take another that ends up in the town. Located amidst towering mountains, Gúdar gives its name to the impressive mountain range that dominates this area of Teruel. The rocks of el Molino, Rubias or the pipes of Gúdar are just a few of the beautiful spots that can be visited near the town. Other features of interest to visitors are the parish church of Santa Bárbara, built in the 17th century or the chapel of Santa María Magdalena.
Retrace your steps a few kilometres to Valdelinares, the highest point in Aragón, as indicated on a sign near the roadside. The town is also known for its magnificent ski resort. The area is covered with black pine forests which is quite a unique species in these latitudes and therefore officially protected. The church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, built in 1751, the chapel of Nuestra Señora de Loreto or the old Town Hall dating from the 15th-16th centuries are some of the most important monuments in the town.
From Valdelinares head towards Linares de Mora. In this township is the famous pine known as the Canary pine which has a diameter of 5 metres and a height of almost 30 metres. The banks of the river Paulejas, the chasm of la Cespedosa or el Molinete are just some of the places that are worth visiting, after stopping to admire the parish church of Inmaculada Concepción, a Baroque building dating frmo the 18th century, along with the ruins of the castled dating from the 13th century, many gates in the old wall, the Town Hall or some of the chapels dotted all over the landscape (Nuestra Señora de Loreto, Santa Bárbara or Santa Lucía).
Mosqueruela is located in an impressive site, surrounded by large ravines and crests which make this area of the most attractive and extraordinary areas in the whole province. Here there ae many streams such as río de las Truchas or río Monleón. In addition, many archaeological remains have been found in this area, and caves with paintings suchas those in the gulley of Valtuerta or Gibert. Impressive gulleys cross the whole area, of which the most important are los Pellejeros in the quarter of Las Cañadas, the gulleys of Molina and Gibert in the quarter of El Pinar Plano or the gulley of los Frailes in the quarters of La Estrella and Peñas Abajo.
Continue along the downwards route, where you will come to one of the towns that has the most history, a mediaeval appearance is perhaps the most impressive in all the province of Teruel: Rubielos de Mora. This town is one of the prettiest towns in this region, with its walled feudal houses such as that of the Marquises of Villasegura, that of the Counts of Creixell, that of the Counts of La Florida, Casa Barberán (Marquises of Tosos or counts of Samitier), that of Sánchez Cutanda, that of Igual-Padilla, etc. Visitors must not miss a visit to the Town Hall, a Renaissance-style building dated 1520 or the ex-Collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor, a Renaissance work built in the 16th century.
And from Rubielos de Mora to Mora de Rubielos, another spectacular town in Sierra de Gúdar and the main town of the district. Scattered far and wide over the district are many sites that in themselves are sufficient to encourage visitors to see this town. Ravines such as those of el Regajo, Fuen Narices (with the waterfall of la Hiedra) or Villarejo; savins such as those of la Olmedilla or Mojón Blanco; fountains in beautiful spots such as Hortalán or Hocino and hills such as Los Campillos, Las Borrachinas, Las Tosquillas or el Rull, will delight nature-lovers.
The town holds treasures as important as the castle, which is the most representative example of a nobleman's palace and castle in the area and was built during the second half of the 14th century, which is certainly worth a visit. The ex-Collegiate church of Santa María, dating from the 14th century, was declared a National Monument in 1944. There are still many remains of the old town walls, and gates such as Cabra, Alcalá or los Olmos and the First Gate of Rubielos. The Old Bridge or Miracle Bridge, the magnificent Town Hall dating from the 17th century, the Calvary and many houses belonging to wealthy families built in the old part of the town are just a small example of the treasures hidden here. Mora de Rubielos is a brilliant last stop along this route through Sierra de Gúdar.