Route of the Monasteries of Valencia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Route of the Monasteries of Valencia (GR-236) |
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Route of the Monasteries of Valencia
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| Length | 90 km (56 mi) |
| Location |  Spain |
| Designation | GR footpath |
| Use | Hiking, Mountain biking, Equestrianism |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Season | All year |
| Sights | Monastery of Sant Jeroni de Cotalba Monastery of the Corpus Christi Monastery of Santa María de la Valldigna Monastery of Aguas Vivas Monastery of la Murta |
| Maintained by | Generalitat Valenciana |
| Map of the route | |
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The Route of the Monasteries of Valencia (also known as GR-236) is a special journey in Spain. It connects five old monasteries in the central part of the Province of Valencia. This route is great for exploring history and nature. It first opened in 2008.
Contents
Discover the Five Monasteries
The route takes you to five amazing monasteries. Each one has its own unique story and architecture.
- Monastery of Sant Jeroni de Cotalba, located in Alfauir.
- Monastery of the Corpus Christi, found in Llutxent.
- Monastery of Santa María de la Valldigna, in Simat de la Valldigna.
- Monastery of Aguas Vivas, located in Carcaixent.
- Monastery of la Murta, near Alzira.
Choose Your Adventure: Route Itineraries
You can explore the Route of the Monasteries in different ways. There are four main paths to choose from. Each path visits all five monasteries, but they go through different towns.
- On Foot (GR-236): This is a long walking trail.
- By Car: You can drive to visit the monasteries.
- By Bicycle (MTB): A special route for mountain bikes.
- By Horse (IE-001): An approved trail for horse riding.
Walking the GR-236 Route
The walking path, known as the GR-236, is over 90 kilometers long. It follows old medieval paths, mountain trails, and even old railway lines. This route is officially approved for hikers by the Valencian Federation of Mountain Climbing.
The GR-236 starts at the train station in Gandia and finishes at the train station in Alzira. This makes it easy to use public transport. Along the way, you will visit all five monasteries:
- Monastery of Sant Jeroni de Cotalba, in Alfauir.
- Monastery of the Corpus Christi, in Llutxent.
- Monastery of Santa María de la Valldigna, in Simat de la Valldigna.
- Monastery of Aguas Vivas, in Carcaixent.
- Monastery of la Murta, in Alzira.
The entire walking route is clearly marked with white and red signs. These signs also show the path code (GR-236). You will find signs at tricky spots to help you know where to go. Walking the whole route usually takes 2 to 3 days. There is also a shorter version that takes 2 to 3 days, but you might miss one monastery (Corpus Christi in Llutxent) if you choose that option.
Cycling the MTB Route
The bicycle route is a circular path that is 123 km long. It starts and ends in Alzira. This route takes you through three different regions: La Safor, la Vall d'Albaida, and La Ribera Alta. It has its own special signs and is designed for mountain bikes.
Horse Riding on the IE-001 Route
The horse riding route is called IE-001. It has its own special signs and is made for horses. This route is approved by the Royal Spanish Equestrian Federation (RFHE). It was the first route in Spain and the second in Europe to be approved for horse riding! This adventure starts at the Monastery of Sant Jeroni de Cotalba.
Collect Your Pilgrim Card
You can get a special card from the Tourist Office of Gandia. This card shows that you have visited the different monasteries and towns along the route. It's a fun way to remember your journey!
See also
In Spanish: Ruta de los Monasterios de Valencia para niños
- Monastery of Sant Jeroni de Cotalba
- Route of the Borgias
- PR-CV 100 (Route of the Monastery of Sant Jeroni de Cotalba)
- Route of the Castles of Vinalopó
- GR-160
