The best running trails in Paratge Natural Municipal La Murta

The Monastery of Santa María de la Murta is an ancient monastery of the Hieronymite order, located in the Valley of La Murta, in Alcira, Valencia. Founded in the 14th century, this monastery was an important centre of culture and spirituality, and a place of pilgrimage for royalty and aristocracy. The monastery was built under the protection of the Monastery of San Jerónimo de Cotalba, and work began in 1401. Its architectural style is framed within the Valencian Gothic, and over the centuries it received numerous donations from illustrious families. In 1989, the Alcira City Council acquired the monastery and since 1995 it has been in the process of recovery and restoration. In addition to its historical and architectural value, the natural environment of the Valley of La Murta is a protected reserve, which adds an additional attraction for visitors.

Old refrigerator that was used to keep a set of foods fresh. Its snow was taken from winter times or from nearby mountains such as the Mariola mountain range and transported to that point in order to preserve everything.

From the top of La Creu the views are spectacular wherever you look.

The walk to Carvalho Bernat was beautiful, but once over the top the follow-up route was no longer visible and we had to take the same (very steep) route back to the start/end point.

La Murta is a beautiful forest corner hidden in the coastal mountains of Alzira, it was the center of religious communities since the 6th century, known from then on as the “valley of miracles” (dels Miracles), and in 1347 a group of monks Jerónimos built a monastery that exercised decisive economic, cultural and social power in the Ribera Alta del Xúquer. The remains of the medieval monastery and the set of orchards, irrigation ditches and monks' quarters are the main historical and heritage attraction of the valley. And the natural wonders of the crown of peaks and ambushed slopes are a good attraction for hikers, trail runners and mountaineers in one of the coastal mountain ranges in the south of Valencia. The entrance to the interior of the Murta Municipal Natural Park is regulated to control the number of visitors and conserve the environment. Access from Alzira is signposted along narrow paved country tracks and you have to drive with caution, it is easy to find walkers, runners and cyclists. The parking lot is at the entrance to the monastery grounds, there are benches, trees and a comfortable place to leave vehicles. The most popular itineraries visit the remains of the monastery and follow some of the paths in the forests inside the valley without going up to the summits, except for the itinerary that leads directly to the Creu del Cardenal, which is the most popular peak in the valley. The mountain route leaves the parking lot and as soon as you pass the entrance control, turn to the right along the Senda Botánica de la Umbría, go up a small slope to a curve where there are remains of an old lime kiln and continue along the slope of the Mountain range.

A great hiking area. Check out the area and my hike in the video: https://youtu.be/jKT0SaA3j6g

This cylindrical construction was used to store the snow that fell in winter or the snow transported from the Sierra Mariola and which was transported with cars. It was a very common practice in the 16th and 18th centuries and was used to make ice cream and soft drinks, preserve food, and even make medicines, reduce the fever and relieve bruises. The "snow house" is a large well, very deep, and with a cover to avoid sunstroke. The top protrudes above of! ground level and the rest is buried, thus helping the thermal insulation necessary to preserve the snow. The interior walls were made of masonry. Between On the upper level and on the roof there are several openings through which you could enter inside and load the snow, then they were covered to maintain the temperature. With wood "They made steps to go down to the lower levels. At the lowest part there was a fountain or simply a gutter to let the accumulated water out. After the snowfall, the well was filled with snow. Inside it was crushed, as much as possible, with the feet and with wooden pillars, to turn it into ice. This operation lasted a short time to avoid frostbite on the feet. At a certain height, more or less 1 meter, rice straw was piled up and on top again snow. When the well was full, the snow was left to settle, covered, and monitored to prevent theft. The ice was cut into blocks to be extracted and placed in wooden boxes wrapped with straw to avoid, as much as possible, temperature loss. As They used animals for transportation, these were wrapped with blankets. The journey was made at night and quickly. Despite doing so, the load was reduced coming soon. This refrigerator was for private use of the monastery. Sieh dir die Gegend und my Wanderung im Video an: https://youtu.be/jKT0SaA3j6g

The ruins of the Murta monastery are located in an otherwise picturesque and quiet place, surrounded by wooded mountains and a special energy. Tranquility is what reigns and you feel once you reach it. Highly recommended!