Cortes de Pallás

The easiest way to get to the village of Cortes de Pallás is by car. You can also get there by bus from Requena and Buñol. From Valencia, there are trains to Yátova and from there you can take a taxi.

To get to the pools and waterfalls, you have to walk from the village to Fuente Corbinet (since access by car is prohibited to ‘Non-Residents’). Then keep on walking along the Barbulla ravine (where the pools and waterfalls are).

How to get to the village of Cortes de Pallás

From Valencia city by car take the A-3 and then the CV-425 followed by the CV-428. You will reach the village of Cortes de Pallás in approximately 1 h 17 min.

How to get to the pools and waterfalls

In the village, cross the bridge that goes over Arroyo de Cortes. Take ‘Calle Constitución’. Follow this street until you leave the village. You will walk through crop fields with some houses. After about 10 or 15 minutes you will end up in the swimming hole Fuente Corbinet. From here, the path starts along the ‘Arroyo de Cortes’ stream, taking you to the other pools and waterfalls. See here this route in the Barranco de Barbulla ravine. 

In the centre of the village, there is little space to park, so we recommend leaving the car on the outskirts. We parked on the road ‘Carretera de la Muela‘. There is space, and it’s close to the hiking route.

There are people who park next to Fuente Corbinet, which is next to Arroyo de Cortes. We do not advise it because, as we explained above, access by car is forbidden to ‘Non-Residents’.

Swimming in pools and waterfalls
Hiking
Mountain Sports (climbing, dry or wet canyoning, rappel, etc.)
Picnic

It’s forbidden to make fires, litter, camp and park in non-authorized areas.

Avoid carrying coolers (and chairs, hammocks, tables) and playing loud music.

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

Cortes de Pallás City Hall – 96 251 7001/ administracion@cortesdepallas.es – Contact them for latest news & Covid

You won’t be short of things to do here!

Cortes de Pallás village is small with a medieval Islamic layout. It invites you to stroll through its narrow, winding streets. Its steep stairs and slopes offer beautiful views. Check the Church ‘Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles’ and the mosaics scattered around the village. They explain the history of this population. Do not miss the views of the village and the reservoir from the viewpoint ‘Tierra Colorá‘. The stream passing Cortés de Pallás has a route with amazing waterfalls and natural pools.

The Cortes de Pallás Reservoir is 250 m. from the village, fed by the river Júcar, the river with the largest flow of Valencia. The most common access to the reservoir is further away, crossing the 281-meter-long bridge to the jetty. From the jetty, you can practice water sports such as swimming, kayaking, paddle surfing or taking a ride on a boat.

You can enjoy a river cruise along the Júcar. Many say that it’s the most beautiful river cruise in Spain. The route (the stretch between Cofrentes and Cortes de Pallás) is 14 km and takes 1 h. The boat has a capacity of 50 passengers. To navigate, contact ‘Su Aventura‘ which has stops at the Jucar Cofrentes jetty and Cortes de Pallás jetty.

El Chorrador de Otonel is a high waterfall with a deep pool at its feet. It’s located next to the Cávera bridge. To descend this long waterfall, you need climbing equipment and ropes. You can also stay in the swimming hole next to the bridge and take an unforgettable dip there.

A little further away from the village (13 km) is the ‘Barranco del Real’ ravine, where you’ll find ‘Pozas del Ral‘. These are emerald green swimming holes, ideal for a refreshing swim. To get there, you have to walk down a steep path.

The best views of the canyon and village are from Chirel Castle (part in ruins). It’s located next to the reservoir, at an altitude of 654 m. The access to the castle is signposted on the road. From this point, it’s a 2 km walk.

Cueva Hermosa is the deepest cave in Cortes de Pallás. It’s near Chirel Castle. You enter through a narrow mouth that leads to a gallery with stalactites, stalagmites and columns. It’s advisable to use speleological equipment to visit it.

The National Hunting Reserve (36,000 hectares) extends through Bicorp, Millares, Jalance, Jarafuel, Teresa de Cofrentes and Cofrentes. It was created to protect mountain goats, mouflon, wild boar, rabbits, red-legged partridges and golden eagles. It’s very common to see wildlife in this area.

Check out other amazing natural pools in the province of VALENCIA!

There was only one restaurant open when we went there (Bar Emiliano, at the village square). You can eat well, at a good price and it has a very good atmosphere.

You can have a picnic in the jetty area of the Cortes de Pallás Reservoir or at the ‘Tierra Colorá’ viewpoint. It has several tables with magnificent views of the reservoir.

In the neighbouring village of Venta Gaeta is the ‘Venta Gaeta Restaurant‘. It’s very popular with locals, bikers, hikers and cyclists.

The local gastronomy includes ‘gazpachos’, ‘ajo arriero’ and ‘tortas’. Typical products are honey, sausage and meats. “

In the village of Cortes de Pallás, there is only a hostel and a rural house.
There are rural houses in the surrounding villages (El Oro, Castilblanques, Venta Gaeta). It’s also an option to sleep in Cofrentes, Buñol or Valencia. 

It’s shallow in general. The deepest is Fuente Corbinet (1 m).

Extremely crystalline