The Fuente del Collao brings together several aspects of Villanueva de Viver: at the site of the Oasis de Mariposas, there is a spring, water flowing down from the Barranco San Antón, and a small collection basin with a weir for irrigation. The Fuente del Collao is part of Zerynthia’s Spanish network of butterfly oases. In 2021, the natural area was restored with its spring, weir, basin and walls, and set up as a picnic area.
Forests, Water and Nature
Along the local trails, Aleppo or white pines, Scots pines, stone pines, black pines, downy oaks and holm oaks shape the landscape. The pine forests provide a habitat for foxes, wild boars, roe deer, goshawks, woodpeckers, tits and lizards. This variety of species is part of the landscape along the trails; the forests also provide the setting for several different hiking options.
One of the municipality’s themed viewpoints is the Mirador de Pradas. Centuries-old holm oaks can be seen on the Ruta de la Resinera. Those interested in nature and local trails will find several points of interest here, from the forest as a habitat to individual botanical features along a route.
Trails with Different Levels of Difficulty
Since 2019, Villanueva de Viver has had a signposted network of 14 hiking trails. It includes “hunters’ and woodcutters’ trails” with a high level of difficulty, “special trails” with a moderate level, and “healthy trails” with a low level. This classification offers guidance by difficulty without limiting the trails to just one type of hiking.
The Caminos madereros are restored historic trails. In the past, they were used for forestry or farming; today, they are organized as a multisenda system with alternative branches. The trail network recognizes the sustainable ways the mountains were used in the past and the associated heritage that is to be preserved. In this way, today’s trail network is connected with the history of work in the mountains.
Four circular routes pass through the surrounding pine forests and are between 5 and 13 km long. Four suggested trails are 4 to 7 km long and have moderate changes in elevation. These figures provide different points of reference when choosing a walk: length and elevation change do not describe the same thing. When choosing a route, you can consider these features separately.
Churches and Historic Buildings
The Iglesia Parroquial de San Antonio Abad is a local landmark of interest and is classified as a Bien de Relevancia Local. It is estimated to date from the 17th century, around 1698. Outside, notable features include the attached bell tower and the two-part sandstone portal. Inside, the church has a Latin cross floor plan with three naves, a raised choir, lunettes and stained-glass windows. The exterior and interior display different architectural details of the same building.
Nearby is the Ermita de San MartĂn, 1 km from the town in the direction of Fuente la Reina on the CV-207. The sandstone building has a square floor plan and a single nave. It is estimated to date from the mid-17th century, around 1656. The two churches therefore differ in their basic layout: the parish church has three naves, while the Ermita has one.
Water management is also part of the town’s history. The Azud de la Jordana is a historic waterworks structure included in the catalogue of ethnological assets. Until a few decades ago, it regulated the water that flowed through the irrigation channel to the Balsa de la Jordana and irrigated the surrounding area. Cereals and grapevines, known locally as “parra,” have traditionally been grown in Villanueva de Viver.
Discover Local History Along the Way
The ethnological sites of Villanueva de Viver are organized into nine guided routes with signposting on site. Each site has an information board with a QR code. The Fuente de San Roque leisure area offers another connection to the history of irrigation: it was restored as a leisure area in 2022 and is dedicated to the Arab irrigation systems associated with the origins of Villanueva de Viver.
Local traditions include festivals in honour of San MartĂn and Santa Bárbara. Together with the churches, historic waterworks and trails, they offer a varied view of the town: nature and hiking sit alongside architectural history, traditional farming and the former use of water.
Discover more destinations: Castellnovo, Montán, Xilxes, Rossell, Gaibiel, Puebla De Arenoso, La Pobla Tornesa, Altura.
For the broader travel overview: Castellon.
