Parque Natural de las Hoces del Cabriel

The Hoces del Cabriel Natural Park protects the most dramatic stretch of the Cabriel river as it crosses the provinces of Cuenca and Valencia, where the river has carved a canyon over 300 metres deep through Mesozoic limestone and dolomite. The park, declared in 2007, covers around 31,000 hectares across several municipalities and takes its name from the vertical cliffs — hoces — that the river has sculpted over millions of years. Spanning more than 80 kilometres of protected river course, the Cabriel is the cleanest river in the Valencia region by physicochemical water quality, according to national water data.

Kayaking or canoeing the Cabriel is the activity that draws most visitors to the park. Local companies offer routes of 8 to 18 kilometres at varying difficulty levels: the lower sections are suitable for families with no experience, while the upper stretches include grade II-III rapids for more advanced paddlers. The river alternates between deep, quiet pools — the water a deep green from the riverside vegetation — and short rapids. In summer, water temperatures around 18-20 °C make swimming a natural part of the day.

The park ecosystem reflects a confluence of Mediterranean, continental and minor Atlantic climate influences. The riverine forest of the canyon floor — alder, ash, willow and poplar — contrasts with the holm oak scrub and Pyrenean oak pine forest covering the slopes and upper plateau. Griffon vultures, red-billed choughs and peregrine falcons nest in the cliff faces. The Cabriel also provides habitat for otters, European pond turtles — a vulnerable species — and several endemic fish of the Júcar river basin.

The park has no single visitor hub. Reference towns are Enguidanos on the Cuenca side and Villargordo del Cabriel on the Valencia side. Access is via quiet secondary roads, which adds to the sense of isolation that characterises the experience. Tourism infrastructure is deliberately low-key: campsites, rural houses and activity companies managing boat hire and transport between launch and take-out points. This absence of large-scale services is part of the appeal for visitors seeking a natural environment with low tourist pressure.

In the surrounding area, the comarca of La Manchuela (Cuenca) and the Canal de Navarrés (Valencia) offer cultural and heritage interest. Las Majadas, a small village on the Cuenca bank, gives direct access to one of the most photographed canyon sections. The source of the Cuervo river, about 50 km north along mountain roads, is another common day trip for those spending several days in the area.