Villamalur está situada en el precioso entorno del Parque Natural de la Sierra de Espadán.
It offers several routes and trails for great walks without looking for big complications.
Villamalur in the heart of the Sierra de Espadán.
The trenches of the XYZ defensive line, which were created during the Spanish Civil War, were our destination on this occasion to enjoy a quiet walk, in which we were accompanied by our little and sometimes a little lazy companion Neo.
At the entrance to Villamalur, we leave the car next to the fountain and the village bar, and following the signs we set off towards the trenches. The path is mostly a wide path, known as the route of the 5 senses. Ruta de los 5 sentidos.
We did this route in the middle of spring and with a rainy winter like the one we have had, it has offered us a spectacle of aromas and floral colour due to the great variety of plants and crops that we have observed along the path.
Route of the five senses
An indicative panel will be found along the route to highlight the different directions used at each marked point.
On our left, at the top of a hill, we will see the remains of some walls of what was once Villamalur Castle. Following the path we can see signs for the GR333 path, which is the great path that runs through the villages of the Sierra de Espadán. The 4 caminos snowfield is another of the options available to us following this path.
We turn off the main path following the signs to the lime kiln or lime kiln and trenches.
We then enter a narrower path and perhaps the most difficult part of the route. We begin the ascent to the Alto del Cabezo, where the trenches are located.
We then enter a narrower path and perhaps the most difficult part of the route. We begin the ascent to the Alto del Cabezo, where the trenches are located.
In a final effort we reached the top of the hill where we found the trenches.
Trenches of the Cabezo
The Cabezo Trenches are part of the XYZ defensive line, which was the 150 km defensive line built by the Republican Army during the Civil War.
Villamalur was taken by the 1st Nationalist Division and the Republican Division was grouped in the trenches. After several days of siege, the Nationalist Division finally occupied the trenches, which remained in Franco's hands for the rest of the conflict.
Walking through the trench passages takes you back in time and makes you think about what it would be like to live in these trenches.
The perfect state of conservation of the trenches and the stupendous views that can be seen from their location are well worth doing this route.
View from the trenches, situation of the defensive post on line XYZ
More information about Villamalur
As I said before, this small village offers several possibilities in footpaths through the Natural Park of La Sierra de Espadán, I provide you with some more information about the available routes in the following link:
https://www.turismodecastellon.com/es/municipio/show/631300
To make the most of your visit, we recommend some nearby towns that you can visit. https://dondetelleven.com/pozo-negro-senderos-en-fuentes-de-ayodar/comunidad-valenciana/
https://dondetelleven.com/los-organos-de-benitandus/comunidad-valenciana/
