Starting from the Escuriza river bridge, we will find (on the edge of the road towards Oliete) a series of dinosaur tracks tracing back to the lower Cretaceous period. From here, passing through the mining area along the road and crossing another bridge, this time over the Martín river, we will start on a path along the banks of that same river. This route parallels the road towards Albalate and will lead us to los Baños, where we'll find excellent thermal springs with recently recovered pools. A parking lot is available nearby. After crossing the Martín river we will observe from the lookout in front of the springs. An information board there details the origins, geology and the pre-historical setting of the environment.
From the lookout, and following the right bank of the river (which is protected by the rocky wall of the Arcos mountain range) we will get to an abandoned power station and then to the suspension bridge of Ariño . This is one of the most emblematic elements of the local, connecting the right bank to the Albalate-Ariño road. There we can opt for crossing the bridge to get to the recreation area "la casilla," or to continue along the path on the right riverbank. "La casilla" features a playground for children, a soccer field, snack-points, grills, springs and a parking lot. From there we can observe interesting geological structures and continue on the path to the sanctuary of the Virgin of Arcos.
The other option continues along the right bank and includes a recreation-cultural area on a terrace under the suspension bridge. From here the path goes up to a necropolis of tombs hollowed out in stone and traced back to the christian-medieval period. From the necropolis, protected by the idyllic mountain range, we can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the river and the sanctuary of the Virgin of Arcos on the opposite bank. On the Arcos mountain range we will probably have the chance to see ibexes, as well as many other birds of prey. Following a marked path from the necropolis, we will get to the Batán bridge, and to the route of the straits of Albalate del Arzobispo. |