You can get to know El Vallecillo through its water, trails and traces of earlier work. The Ojos del Cabriel are the source of the Cabriel; several walking trails also lead to the springs, via a viewpoint or through a ravine. The mill, sawmill and historic forge point to earlier uses, while the Iglesia de la SantĂsima Trinidad, Ermita de San Pedro and Torre Cavero offer their own architectural and historical themes. When planning your trip, you can focus separately on nature and culture, or consider both as themes for your stay. Each stop differs in its route, water function and architectural history.
Springs and Waterfalls in El Vallecillo
The Ojos del Cabriel in El Vallecillo are the source of the Cabriel River. This powerful spring feeds the river and increases its flow. The GR 10.1 leaves the village heading east, follows the road for about 100 metres, then turns onto a trail. After 1.4 kilometres, it reaches the Ojos del Cabriel. When planning this section, both the initial stretch along the road and the subsequent turn onto the trail serve as clear points of orientation.
The water features also tell different stories. The cascade beside the Ojos is next to the ruins of an old forge dating from the 16th century. The waterfall at the Molino de San Pedro has a drop of 5 or 6 metres; in the past, its water was used to power the millstone beside it. The Ojos represent the river’s source, while the waterfall at the Molino also speaks to the former use of water power.
Walking Trails with Different Features
The SL-TE 14 walking trail crosses the Barranco del PilancĂłn at several points via metal walkways. A local trail to the Cueva de la Obriga also starts in El Vallecillo, heads towards the Ojos del Cabriel, reaches the viewpoint above the springs and then descends to them. The entrance to the Cueva de la Obriga is beside the trail; the cave is one of the most significant in the province of Teruel.
The routes differ in their described highlights: on the SL-TE 14, the metal walkways shape the crossing of the ravine; on the route to the Cueva de la Obriga, the sequence of starting in the village, reaching the viewpoint and descending to the springs stands out. This can help you choose the trail that best suits the feature you find most interesting. The Cueva de la Obriga is a landmark along the way in its own right; the cave itself is considered a significant site in the province.
Mills, Buildings and Earlier History
The Molino de San Pedro initially housed a flour mill and a sawmill owned by the Cavero family. Along with the waterfall’s former use to power the millstone, these functions show the role that water flow at this site played in the work carried out there. Another trace of the past can be found at the cascade beside the Ojos: the ruins of an old forge dating from the 16th century. El Vallecillo thus preserves different forms of earlier work, from milling to forging.
The present-day Iglesia de la SantĂsima Trinidad had already been built by 1781. It has a single nave and features a barrel vault and lunettes. A single-nave layout means a building with one main nave; the vault and lunettes describe further architectural features of the interior. The Ermita de San Pedro is documented as far back as 1564 and is a small chapel with a wooden roof. Torre Cavero is an old defensive tower, probably dating from the 13th century.
Cueva LĂłbrega, now known as Ubriga, also offers a glimpse into an earlier period: remains in the cave attest to an ancient human presence in the area around El Vallecillo. Together with the church, the Ermita and the defensive tower, it gives a broad historical sweep, from archaeological traces to buildings with specific historical dates.
Discover more destinations: Celadas, La Puebla De Valverde, La Cañada De Verich, Gargallo, Arcos De Las Salinas, Ráfales, Cuevas De Cañart, Torrijo del Campo.
For the overview of the wider region: Teruel.
