El Gollizo: Nature and Historic Waterways

Water, Nature and History

A trip to El Gollizo can focus on a range of themes: observing nature at the Balsa del Gollizo, the historic use of water, and routes with their own distinctive features. You can tailor your stay to suit your interests, whether you are more interested in birds and amphibians, industrial hydropower, or the character of a hike. These themes offer different starting points for planning your trip.

Balsa del Gollizo and Nature Observation

The Balsa del Gollizo, also known as the Embalse del Molino, is a small artificial reservoir of historic and heritage value. Its natural surroundings offer opportunities to observe birds and amphibians; sightings may vary depending on the season. Two aspects therefore come together here: the artificial reservoir and the wildlife in its natural surroundings. If nature observation is important to you, seasonal variation is something to take into account when planning.

Water Supply and Industrial Use

The Caz de las Fábricas is a long aqueduct that carried water from the Balsa del Gollizo. It represents the technical side of water use: water was channelled elsewhere. The hydraulic infrastructure associated with the Caz supplied energy for machinery in Riópar’s metal industry. In addition, the hydraulic installations of the Real Fábrica de Metales de Riópar used water from the Arroyo del Gollizo to power machinery. Together, these details show different aspects of water use: how it was conveyed and how it was used as a driving force.

On the Sendero de las Fábricas, the path follows the water from mountain springs to its use as a driving force for mills or hammers. This makes the use of water as part of industrial history easier to understand. The Sendero is rated as easy, is suitable for families, and can be explored on foot or by bicycle. Here, the historical interpretation of the watercourse is combined with practical information about the route.

Routes and Their Features

The RSR 1.3 “Riópar–La Toma del Agua” route leads from Riópar towards the hamlet of El Gollizo. It is rated as easy and has no technical difficulties; however, trail conditions may vary. At the Balsa del Gollizo, the RSR 1.3 follows a path branching off to the right and climbing up to the road. Follow the official signs on site.

The Riópar–Gallineros–Pino Gordo mountain circular hike opened on 27 August 2026. It leads from Riópar via El Gollizo up to the Sierra del Agua. Its circular route and ascent to the Sierra del Agua give this hike a different character from the RSR 1.3, whose description highlights the direction towards El Gollizo and its difficulty rating.

This provides a practical comparison when choosing a route: the RSR 1.3 is characterised by its direction and easy difficulty rating, the Sendero de las Fábricas by its interpretation of hydropower, its suitability for families and the option of cycling it, and the mountain circular hike by its circular route and ascent to the Sierra del Agua.

Discover more destinations: Villamalea, Carcelén, Bienservida, Munera, Casas De Ves, Corral-Rubio, Tobarra, Peñarrubia.

For the broader travel overview: Albacete.