Arañuel

The easiest way to get to Arañuel is by car and from there on foot.

How to get to Arañuel

The route by car from Castellón to Arañuel is 55 Km. Take the CV-20, go through Onda and continue on the CV-20, passing through Espadilla, Toga and Cirat.
From Valencia, it’s 95 Km. Go to Sagunto and take the A-23 to Xérica. Take the detour to the right (CV-195) towards Caudiel and Montanejos. In Montanejos turn right onto the CV-20 that takes you to Arañuel.

How to get to ‘Arañuel´s Natural Swimming Pool’

Coming from Montanejos on the CV-20, before entering Arañuel there is a sharp turn to the left.
It’s not possible to turn at once, and you will have to stop on the CV-20 to turn. You can also continue and turn around in the village, so the detour will not involve any sharp turns. This road descends 100 m and takes you to ‘Arañuel´s Natural Swimming Pool’.

How to get to ‘El Pozo’ bathing area

Coming from Montanejos on the CV-20, when entering the village, there is a detour to the left. This street (Calle Constitución) goes down to the river. Turn right onto Calle del Molino. After about 300 m you have reached ‘El Pozo’ bathing area.
If you are coming from Cirat, you’ll see, at the entrance to the village, a signpost indicating ‘natural pools’. This is Calle del Molino road.

You can easily park in the village. You can also park on the side of the road, at the entrance to the ‘El Pozo’ bathing area. Be aware that there is only room for 2 cars.

You can also reach the ‘Arañuel’s Natural Swimming Pool‘ park by a dirt road parallel to the Mijares River.

The village can be visited at any time of the year. From April to October, it’s ideal for taking a dip. The natural pools are always open.

Swimming in the river
Walking along the riverbank
Hiking

Signs say the area is dangerous for swimming because of nearby currents and depth at some points. Be cautious and you should be fine.

There are also signs prohibiting washing animals, littering, making fires and camping. Respect the environment and use garbage bins.

Remember that soap and detergents should not be used in rivers and pools.
Also, most sun creams contaminate the water, try to apply them well before taking a dip.

(Scientists have found that sunscreen releases significant amounts of titanium dioxide, which damages aquatic life.
Soaps have phosphates, are also non-biodegradable and harm the environment). 

Ayuntamiento de Arañuel – 964143156/ secretaria@aranuel.es – Contact them for latest news & Covid

Things to do in and near Arañuel

In Arañuel itself, you can visit the Church of San Miguel in the village square. It’s a simple temple built in the seventeenth century.

There are great hiking routes around Arañuel.

The neighbouring town of Montanejos is very popular. It’s recommended to visit:
– Fuente de los Baños (natural thermal pool)
– Montanejos Spa (which uses the mineral-medicinal water from Fuente de los Baños)
– Remains of Montanejos Castle
– Ruins of the Old Mill (19th-century flour mill on the banks of the river)
– Bridge of San José (from 1803 crossing the river Montán)
– Arab Tower (inside the village, integrated into the facade of the old Palace of the Counts of Vallterra)
– Parish Church
– Hermitage of the Virgen de los Desamparados from the XVII century.

About 1.5 km north of Fuente de los Baños is the huge waterjet ‘El Chorro de Arenós‘. It’s the outflow point (or spillway) of the Arenós Reservoir, through which 41,000 litres of water flow out per second. To access El Chorro you can leave your car by the roadside. There is only capacity for about 3 cars. It’s about a 5-minute walk down to El Chorro.

The ‘Estrecho de Chillapájaros‘ is a section of the Mijares River in which it flows through a 25 m wide gorge. The vertical walls are higher than 100m. It owes its name to the sound made by swallows and swifts echoing off the rock walls. It’s a place with famous climbing areas. It attracts nature and whitewater sports lovers. It’s 1 km upriver from Fuente de los Baños.
The ‘Estrecho de Chillapájaros route starts at the Cirat Dam after the tunnel at these coordinates 40.076633, -0.539235. There is only space to park 3 cars.

If you continue east on the CV-20, 8.9 km from Montanejos, you will see the village of Cirat. It’s located in a privileged, green place. It has a free regulated camping area (‘Acampada Libre regulada’) on the edge of the river Mijares. It has several nice natural pools, ideal for taking a dip in nature. On the south side of the village is the ‘Barranco de las Salinas‘ ravine. It has various fascinating pools, such as ‘Poza La Bañera’ and ‘La Caldereta’.
If you continue walking along this ravine for about 4 km, you could reach ‘Salto de la Novia‘ (an impressive waterfall and natural pool). It can also be reached by following a road for about 4 km. This road leaves Cirat and is the continuation of ‘Calle Rosaire’. This road is not in very good condition. We had to stop several times to remove stones from the road to be able to pass.

Check out other amazing natural pools in the province of CASTELLÓN.

‘Rincón de la Araña‘ is the only restaurant in Arañuel and has a nice street terrace. You’ll see it as you drive through the village.

In the neighbouring village of Cirat, there are just a few restaurants. Montanejos however has many restaurants.

The typical dishes are ‘olla’, ‘fridura’, ‘potaje’ and ‘gachas’. Typical products are sausages, chanterelles and olive oil.

In Arañuel there are no hotels but there are quite a few rural houses and private houses for rent. There are many hotels in neighbouring Montanejos.

The river Mijares when passing through Arañuel has a width of about 9 m.

‘Arañuel´s Natural Swimming Pool’ and the ‘El Pozo’ Bathing Area are quite large and have a length of about 17 m and 25m respectively.