Monasterios (Pucol) - Picayo - Gilet - Sagunto

Note: This is a walk I did in late April 2023. I recorded it on my Relive app, but recently learned I could download a GPX file of that onto Wikiloc. This is the first of many Relive-recorded walks that I hope to upload onto Wikilock through this method.

I was dropped off by car by my wife in the urbanization of Monasterios outside of the town of Pucol. I started the walk near the entranceway roundabout where there is a tall stone monument that looks like a Roman column. I entered a shaded trail to the left of the roundabout that leads up the hill and into some unshaded streets in the upper section of the urbanization with quite a few huge homes. I walked up the dirt hiking and bike trail that goes up Mt. Picayo, at some points a steep descent. Beautiful rocky cliffs to look up at along the way and, when I turned backward, unobstructed views of the urbanization below, the orange groves, the town of Pucol, and the Mediterranean Sea further in the distance. At the first intersection of trails,, instead of going right toward the peak of Mt. Picayo, I turned left and walked along the ridgeline for a couple of kilometers. There is a narrow, downhill footpath that is very difficult to see that leads into a wooded area. I assumed it would take me eventually to the town of Gilet, so I walked carefully down the steep path using hiking poles to steady myself. Beautiful wooded path that after at least 45 minutes of careful stepping eventually led me to a dry creek that went under the A-23 motorway. I came to the C-5 train line and the Gilet train station I was thirsty, so I decided to head away in the opposite direction of my ultimate goal (Sagunto) to find a cafe in the town of Gilet for a short rest. After a beer and some cola, I retraced my steps and went towards Sagunto along the banks and dry riverbed of the Palancia River.

About a kilometer outside of Sagunto, I was surprised to see a painted yellow arrow on some cement. It made me think of the Camino de Sagunto. Sure enough, about 200 meters after seeing that yellow arrow, I came across the signboard that is shown in the photo: the route of the Camino de Santiago de Sagunto! I had not known about this Camino. Thanks to making this discovery, I researched on the internet about this Camino as well as the two Caminos (Lana and Levante) that start from the Cathedral in Valencia. It has led me to enjoy to date (December 2023), several of the initial stages of each of these 3 Caminos that can be accessed as day walks from where I live in Valencia.

Copy the following URL link to the Relive video and enjoy a more visual representation of this day of hiking.
https://www.relive.cc/view/v1Ow9Y2wDXq