What to do in Cuenca

Cuenca is the province of karst and channelled water. The Serranía de Cuenca holds some of the most technical canyons in Castile-La Mancha: the Júcar canyon and the Hoz de Beteta have Grade III sections with waterfall abseils of up to 25 metres. The water stays cold even in August, making these descents neoprene-mandatory year-round. The Ciudad Encantada, 20 kilometres from the capital, offers a quieter contrast: limestone formations carved by erosion that you can explore on a 3-kilometre circular trail with no technical difficulty. The Cabriel river, on the border with Valencia, is the go-to destination for freshwater kayaking and canoeing in the province. Its Class II–III sections allow one-to-three-day trips with stops on sandy beaches between cliff walls. Local operators handle gear transport logistics, making linear descents straightforward. Around Tragacete to the north, black pine forests above 1,500 metres form the headwaters of the Júcar river. The hiking routes in this area are long and lightly trafficked; the Fuente del Cuervo route covers 18 kilometres with views over the Serranía. The Las Torcas climbing sector near Cañada del Hoyo has sport routes from 5c to 8a on quality limestone.