Postcard from Navajas
This story happened on: 30/01/2015
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Navajas is about 60 km inland from Valencia. It's not far from the A23 Autovia and is, in consequence, a popular night halt for campers heading to the seaside. The town is a mixture of old Moorish streets, modern villas and stylish, lavishly-decorated 18th century villas. You can walk from the campsite to the town, where there is a scattering of bakers, butchers and a couple of mini-markets.
The centre piece of the town, aside from the church spire and dome, is the 1,000 year-old elm tree in the Plaza del Olma: it's here that the Friday market is held and you can have a morning coffee at the corner bar.
From the station you can catch the train for a day out in Valencia. However, there are abundant walks and cycle paths of varying difficulty, starting from and passing Navajas. Just below the town in the gorge there are waterfalls all within walking distance. The Via Verde passes the campsite: it is an old railway track, and so the gradients are very gradual. There are tunnels along the path with switch-activated lights. You can enjoy the mountain scenery at your leisure, regardless of your fitness level.
The main centre of activity in Navajas may well be the campsite and its restaurant. It's Friday night, so we're awaiting the arrival of Spanish families to light up the many static vans!
You need a bit of Spanglish for the shops and market. Today having managed to find the (closed) Post Office (La Officina de Correos) with the help of passers-by, we were guided to the Tobacconist (El Estanco) to get some stamps. Another local suggested that post our letter at the post office - famously Chas replied "Correos es cerda!" It was later that he realized he had said “The post office is Pork"! (Cerrado = closed).
http://www.campingaltomira.com/en/
ACSI 16€ or stay 7 nights for 12€ night
chasncath