The umpteenth heat wave and the suffocating string of temperature records have become routine this summer in Valencia. Yesterday was yet another example of the hardship the province has endured in recent months: temperatures above 44º and coastal areas where the heat index exceeded 50º.
No municipality in the province has been spared the heat of the past few days, but there are some that have been able to enjoy a night with more pleasant temperatures. Ademúz, Requena, Enguera, Bocairent, and Ayora are the only places in the province where temperatures fell below 15° at some point during the night. These inland towns are perfect for a quick getaway to discover new places without melting in the process.
Enguera is possibly the least well-known of these five towns. This small village of fewer than 5,000 residents, located an hour from Valencia in an idyllic natural setting, boasts a cultural heritage spanning thousands of years and climate conditions that allow us, at least, to escape the extreme heat of the coast for a little while.
What to See and Do in Enguera
This town in La Canal de Navarrés offers a wide range of tourist activities, especially for nature lovers and hikers:
The Fuente Godalla Via Ferrata is one of the most fun adventure trails in the entire Valencian Community. It features two suspension bridges, one of which is over 80 meters long ( the second longest in the country), and a zip line over 70 meters long that crosses the ravine. Although it may seem like a very extreme route, the difficulty level is very low, making it suitable for all ages.
This is just one of the many trails offered by the Enguera Mountains, an area of more than 24,000 hectares with peaks over 1,000 meters high and an Iberian settlement located in the Umbría La Plana Natural Park. Also, if you’re looking for a place to cool off and take a dip, less than 15 minutes away is the town of Anna, where you can hike the Three Waterfalls Trail and swim in the Gorgo de la Escalera.
Enguera also has a rich cultural heritage to offer: the archaeological museum, the Church of San Miguel de Arcángel, and the Castillo de la Encomienda are recommended stops to round out your visit and gain a better understanding of the town’s history.
In addition, the culinary offerings are very interesting; they offer guided tours with wine tastings at their wineries, and you simply must try their traditional Enguera-style gazpacho.
