Fuentes De Ayódar – Water Sites and Local History

Fuentes de Ayódar is located in the Alto Mijares comarca, north of Sierra de Espadán Natural Park. Water sites, trails across the municipal area and historic buildings offer different focal points for a stay. If you are looking for a hotel, it may help to ask whether you are choosing the town mainly for its natural attractions, its history or its opportunities for outdoor activities.

Water sites in the municipal area

Pozo Negro is a deep natural pool in Fuentes de Ayódar, about two kilometres from the town centre. Getting there and continuing on to the site involves two stages: first you drive; from the parking area, you continue on foot. Check local parking arrangements before your trip.

Fuente del Cañar has a recreational area with picnic tables. Fuente de la Masá is beneath the canopy of a monumental mastic tree and has two spouts. Fuente del Zuro is in a picturesque natural setting, a few metres from the Río Chico.

Trails by the water and around the municipal area

The experience “Fuentes de Ayódar: el agua y la humanidad” includes short out-and-back walks around Fuentes de Ayódar. They first pass through natural areas by the river, then follow the water to old structures built to harness water power. The meeting point is in Fuentes de Ayódar. If you plan to take part, check availability and the meeting point in advance, as both may change. Unlike a visit to a single water site, this experience focuses on several short stretches of trail and the theme of water power.

Mountain-bike routes and trails cross the municipal area of Fuentes de Ayódar and connect it with Torrechiva and Torralba del Pinar. In contrast with the experience, these routes connect two named settlements, while the experience describes short out-and-back walks around the town. If you are planning an active stay, you can weigh up these distinctly different types of routes.

Townscape, history and tradition

The bell tower of Fuentes de Ayódar has a square floor plan. A spiral staircase with 64 steps leads to the belfry. At Las Eras, an old barn was restored and converted into an Ethnological Museum with support from the local community.

El Cubo is a square former wine press where grapes were processed. The historical context also includes the fact that grapes were widespread in this area during the Middle Ages. The former Molino de Arriba dates from the 15th century, stands next to an irrigation pond and has been restored.

In Fuentes de Ayódar, San Antón is celebrated on 17 January with a blessing of animals, traditional roles, a large bonfire and the communal singing of the Jota around the fire. Alongside natural sites and buildings, this local tradition offers another possible focus for your stay.

Getting there

To get there, the CV-205 runs from Onda via Artesa, Tales, Suera and Ayódar to Fuentes de Ayódar, where it ends. The sequence of towns provides a specific reference for route planning; the attractions and activities in the town and municipal area offer different focal points for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Vilar De Canes, Todolella, Arañuel, Espadilla, Moncófar, Traiguera, Lucena Del Cid, Chóvar.

For the overview of the wider region: Castellon.