Stage 2. Villargordo del Cabriel/Requena
86 kilometers. 1,090 positive meters.
The milestones of the Natural Trail leave the urban complex of Villargordo del Cabriel, cross the passes of the N-III and the A-3 highway, travel through the rural hills of La Erilla and pass through Jaraguas, a village belonging to the municipality of Venta del Moro , with sites of Iberian and Roman settlements. The route goes through the hamlet and on the outskirts it passes through the Rambla de la Albosa, a very pleasant corner with a cozy walkway of giant poplar trees, the communal laundry and a historic fountain. The signal posts pass near the salt flats of Mina Lolita, a spring of saline waters exploited since Roman times. The route connects with the Camino Real from Castilla to Valencia and follows the same path as the previous day to the flood-prone Magro river boulevard and its disturbing river jungle.
The stage could end in half a day in Requena, about 40 kilometers from Villargordo del Cabriel, but it is worth ignoring this option and continuing through the Magro river valley towards El Rebollar and Siete Aguas, in the section we call “Turia sector”. After Requena, the Magro River canyon is spectacular, a forest gallery of poplars, poplars, ash, willows and walnut trees between stone walls that keep the riverbed isolated from agricultural fields, dedicated mainly to the cultivation of vineyards, olive and almond trees. The path passes through the curious hermitage of San Blas, in the neighborhood of Las Ollerías, built in the 18th century in the premises of an old agricultural farm on the bank of the Magro River. In the ravine lane there are also marks of the Camino de Santiago of the Wool Route, used for centuries by walkers, pilgrims and merchants between the Mediterranean coast and the city of Burgos. The posts of the Natural Trail leave the gorge of the Magro River and go up the Fuente Cuca plain to the Requena Aerodrome. At the entrance to the airport, the Herrada del Gallego road leaves on the right, an outstanding forest area in the environmental surroundings of Requena.