During our short trip to the gorgeous little mountain town of Morella, in the north of the Comunidad Valenciana, we took a hike to the nearby village named “Xiva de Morella” (“Xiva” in Valenciano, “Chiva” in Spanish). With just twenty full-time inhabitants, this is an extremely tiny place, and we weren’t sure what to expect once we arrived.
Our first day in Morella had been all about relaxation and exploration. We enjoyed some great food, and chilled out in the town’s lively bars. But on Day #2, we decided to get a little more active, and set out on a hike into the gorgeous landscape that we had admired from the town’s castle.
We woke up to perfect weather, and got started on our hike early, after a quick breakfast at a bakery in Morella. At just 7km one-way, the route to Xiva is easy and extremely rewarding. When you start out in a town as beautiful as Morella, and then the views just get prettier, it’s a good day out.
Along the way, we encountered the ruins of two medieval aqueducts, fields of cows, rolling hills, and some unbelievable views back towards Morella. With the fresh, countryside air filling our lungs, we couldn’t have been in better moods.
Towards the end of our hike, we climbed a small pass and from the top, were able to see the small town of Xiva de Morella, nestled between two small hills. We soon arrived in town, and did a little exploration — a “little” is all you can do in a village this size. Soon, we found La Fonda de Xiva: a small casa rural in the heart of town. We didn’t need a room for the night, but sat down for a hearty almuerzo, which was excellent.
This trip to Morella went by quickly, and was a perfect weekend away from Valencia. Have you been? Or do you have other ideas for amazing day-trips from the city? The Valencian Community is full of awesome, and relatively unknown spots. So if you have any tips, let us know!
From our Travel Blog.
Chiva de Morella Photos
