Estrecho del Cascajar y Nacimiento del Palancia

The Estrecho del Cascajar is the gorge where the Palancia forms its first channels, in El Toro municipality. The river cuts between vertical walls and leaves pools of clear, cold water before opening toward the Bejís valley.

The circular route

The usual walk is a loop of about 16.6 km with some 457 m of ascent starting at the Los Cloticos recreational area. It passes the spring and picnic ground, continues to the hamlet of El Molinar and climbs by the Vereda del Mas, with open views over the Palancia valley, to the narrows and the source. The final canyon stretch forms a flora and fauna microreserve, so the rule is to respect the area and enjoy it without leaving the path.

The water

The pools on the upper stretch are small and the water runs cold all year, with highly variable flow by season. It is not a bathing area: the interest lies in walking beside the young river and in the contrast between bare rock and pine woods. After heavy rain the passage along the gorge floor can turn impassable.

Tips for your visit

• Allow about 5 hours of walking and carry a headlamp if you run into the evening.
• Mountain footwear with good grip: the riverbed rock is slippery.
• Carry all your water from Los Cloticos, there are no springs higher up.
• If you want gorges with swimming, look at the Mijares narrows or the Salto de la Novia route, in nearby valleys.