Hiking Tour of the Roman Aqueduct of Peña Cortada and Ruta de Agua

About this tour

This nine-hour walking route traces the Peña Cortada Roman Aqueduct through Valencia's inland valleys, combining river paths, a whitewashed village and an ancient engineered structure tunnelled through rock two millennia ago. You'll follow the water course that once fed Roman settlements, moving between the Turia riverbank, the village of Chelva and the viaduct's remarkable carved passages. An air-conditioned vehicle handles transport between sections.

Highlights

• Walk alongside the Turia River through native woodland
• Explore hand-cut Roman tunnel system within the aqueduct
• Village of Chelva with local bars and shops
• Two-thousand-year-old engineering carved into limestone
• Mixed terrain: riverside paths, village streets, rocky sections

What to expect

Expect a moderately demanding nine-hour day combining walking and sightseeing. You'll cover roughly 12–15 kilometres on mixed terrain—some flat riverside sections, steeper village streets and rougher rocky ground near the aqueduct tunnels. The route is well-established and straightforward to follow. Mid-morning and afternoon involve steady walking with pauses to absorb the historical sites and landscape views. Breaks happen naturally as you move between the river, village and monument. The pace suits active walkers rather than casual strollers.

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