Pico Moluengo

Pico Moluengo, at 1041 m above sea level, is the highest point of the Hoces del Cabriel natural park, in Villargordo del Cabriel. From the top the view covers both slopes of the Sierra del Rubial, the villages of the district, the Cabriel river depression and the plains of La Manchuela in Cuenca. It is a panorama of gorge country and two regions, reached on foot rather than by road.

The climb

The peak is a signed detour at kilometre 5 of the official Yellow Route, which runs 16 km one way (4:30 h for walkers, medium difficulty) from Villargordo del Cabriel to Vadocañas. The same route passes the Poblado Moluengo at kilometre 4.2, with remains of Roman pottery kilns and the PR-CV 299 path by Civil War trenches of the Contreras pass, and the Mirador de la Fonseca at kilometre 4.6. Reaching the summit and returning to the start means about 10 km on foot, a full morning at a calm pace.

Tips

• Treat it as a full-day outing: the Yellow Route alone takes 4:30 h one way, so set a turnaround time.
• Carry all your water: there is no reliable fountain on the high track (the Fuente de la Oliva, at kilometre 9, is dry nowadays).
• Check the park fire-season rules, as the high tracks can close in summer.
• Pair it with the Hoces del Cabriel routes or the natural park visitor centre for maps.