The Yecla Valora walkway route on the castle hill on the southern edge of the town

Fabulous views in the countryside on the wooden pasarelas or footbridges of Yecla

The Yecla Valora walkway route on the castle hill on the southern edge of the town The “Yecla Valora” project is one of the most ambitious and original undertaken in recent years by the Town Hall of Yecla, taking in unique sights and locations such as the Edificio Bioclimático, the remodelled Calle Abad José Sola (or “Paseo del Cementerio”), the structure of the walkways themselves and the large viewing point of the Cerro de la Molineta which looks out over the historic buildings of the old town centre.

The Yecla Valora walkway route on the castle hill on the southern edge of the town The recommended route starts from the Plaza Mayor (although some prefer to begin at the Edificio Bioclimático), from where walkers pass under the old arch in Calle de la Iglesia before taking a pedestrian street to the right, Calle de la Molineta. This is where the wooden walkways start.

The Yecla Valora walkway route on the castle hill on the southern edge of the town After approximately 12 minutes and a climb of 40 metres we reach the Mirador de la Molineta viewing point to admire the view, and then the way leads down some steps to gate number 9 of the Yecla Valora route. There are paths forking off but the main route now leads to the Edificio Bioclimático and then on to the cemetery walls.

The Yecla Valora walkway route on the castle hill on the southern edge of the town Here we head off the wooden paths onto a tarmac section towards the Santuario del Cerro del Castillo and then take the third gate (number 4 on the Yecla Valora route). Before reaching the flat ground at the sanctuary, head left on a narrow aerial walkway heading upwards to the highest point on the walk, with sensational views out towards the Iglesia Vieja, and then down again and back to gate number 9.

Walking through this gate, we are now back in town and after just a few metres are on the tarmac road down from the castle hill. Follow this road towards the Iglesia Vieja and in just a short time we are back in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, having taken only around 45 minutes.

If visiting Yecla don’t forget to make sure one of your first ports of call is the tourist office (Plaza Mayor, 1, telephone 968 754104, email turismo@yecla.es).

For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Yecla Today.

Address

Plaza Mayor, Casa de los Arcos, s/n 30510 YECLA

Tel: 968 754 104

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Oficina de Turismo de Yecla

Yecla Tourist Office Yecla is a large municipality in the north of the Region of Murcia, home to just under 35,000 people, and these days is best known for its wines, which enjoy Denomination of Origin status, and its furniture production, which has its origins in the abundance of pine trees on the mountainsides and the high plateaux.

Yecla Tourist Office While visitors in the 21st century may be attracted primarily by wine tourism, the town (or city, as it was proclaimed in 1878) also has a wide historical, cultural and natural heritage, and an identity quite different from the coastal areas of the Region of Murcia. For this reason it is often grouped together with its neighbour and fellow wine-producing area Jumilla as part of the Altiplano area.

Yecla borders with Castilla-La Mancha and the Region of Valencia and is closer to Alicante coastal areas than much of Murcia. These visitors come to see the historic old town itself - an atmospheric and interesting place, crammed full of history - the natural beauty of Monte Arabí, with stunning views for those who enjoy the outdoors, the gastonomy and of course the wine route.

Yecla Tourist Office Yecla boasts cave paintings from 10,000 years ago in Monte Arabí, a Bronze Age settlement at El Arabilejo, Iberian remains in El Pulpillo and a Roman administrative centre at Los Torrejones as well as the remnants of the 11th century Moorish castle on the hill behind the town. More modern (and complete) testimony to the past are the buildings in the town centre, which include the grandiose Basílica de la Purísima, with its striking blue dome, the archaeological museum and the attractive Plaza Mayor, where the 16th century Town Hall stands alongside the Renaissance Casa de los Alarcos, the clock tower and the old grain store.

Yecla Tourist Office The tourist office holds a full selection of leaflets, maps, pre-planned routes, accommodation and restaurant options and information about visiting Yecla for both individuals and groups.