Valle del Hontanar

The rugged scenery in the Serranía de Cuenca Natural Park (accessed from the site) has family-friendly looped rambles leading to spectacular rock formations and picnic spots by peaceful lakes. You can drive almost right up to the Cabriel Waterfalls (20 minutes by car) to witness the splendid cascades tumbling down a sheer rock face, and take a refreshing dip in the turquoise pool below the falls. You’re certainly never going to be short of hardcore outdoor options at Valle del Hontanar either; the long-distance PR-CU 04 Sendero de las Dehesas walking trail passes close by, and there are gorge walks, rafting expeditions and canyoning adventures to be had along the Cabriel River in rugged Hoces del Cabriel Nature Reserve (an hour’s drive). If you’re keen for the kids to ingest a little local culture, there are castle relics to explore at Cañete (40 minutes) and an impressive hilltop fortress at Enguídanos (half an hour). Heading further back in time, there are prehistoric cave paintings at Villar del Humo (15 minutes), while the handsome walled city of Cuenca (50 minutes) beckons you for a day trip with its colourful houses clinging precariously to the hillside and a melting pot of medieval, Renaissance and baroque architecture.