Private Cork Trail Hike & Cheese Tasting, Valencia

Enjoy a hike through Parque Natural de la Serra d'Espadà and taste local cheese with a private guide. Your trip begins with a hotel pick-up in Valencia, followed by a scenic drive north to Almedíjar for a morning coffee and a cheese-tasting session with an artisan cheese maker. Afterward, take to the trails as you trek about 8 miles (12 km) through the natural park, traversing shady cork forests and spotting a deserted cork factory. Enjoy the panoramic views, including of the area's most famous peak, Pic d'Espadà, before returning to Valencia.

Your mountain hiking and cheese-tasting excursion begins with a hotel pickup from Valencia. Your private guide will drive you about an hour north of the city to Almedíjar, a small town nestled in the mountains of Parque Natural de la Serra d'Espadà. Once you arrive, enjoy a morning coffee and a chat about your upcoming adventure before visiting a quesería, a local cheese shop that's been producing sheep and goat cheese for nearly 25 years. Sample a selection of cheeses, some of which have been cured for up to 100 days, and learn about the techniques and processes used to create them.

Next, it's time to head out onto the park's scenic trails. Get your blood pumping in the first 1.25 miles (2 km) thanks to a steep climb before the path evens out. In total, you'll cover about 8 miles (12 km) with about 1,300 feet (400 m) of elevation gain, hiking at your own pace. Along the way, cross tiny trickling streams and walk among thousands of cork oak trees, their lower trunks stripped of bark. Spain produces 31% of the world's cork, and it's used not only in wine bottles but also as airplane insulation—you'll also pass a disused cork factory where your guide will explain the cork production process.

Continuing your walk through the forest, you'll soon arrive at La Castañera, a 400-year-old chestnut tree that appears to have multiple trunks sprouting from the earth. Here, your guide will retell the legend of King Almanzor, which features this magnificent tree. As you loop around the trail, take in the views of Pic d'Espadà, which sits over 2,000 feet (600 m) above sea level, and the surrounding landscapes. Finally, return to Almedíjar and have a drink on the terrace before driving back to Valencia.