Castellet and Raco de Farol, Borriol – more Castellón cragging

Wending our way north we checked out a couple more of the multitude of crags covered in the Castellón guidebook, starting with Castellet, just north of Castelló de la Plana. We weren’t expecting much more than a handy drive-by YECTOYD, but we were actually quite taken. An easy, flat, 5mins stroll brings you to the first sector, and being a Sunday it was pleasantly buzzing with local weekend climbers.

Here’s Helen on the Covetes III, V…

… and Direct Input, 6a

Fine views over the city to the Med.

Further left there are a series of pinnacles with spectacular looking 6a/bs (you can see a visiting Irish lad lowering off if you want look closely)

There’s also a lower tier with a quite spectacular tall orange wall

I had a go at Amargo Presagio, a 7a up the left hand crack line – as ever, the tricky bit isn’t in the crack, and turned out to be too tricky for me!

Only about 5km away, near Borriol, is Roco de Farol – there’s a handy parking area, which would make for a tranquil overnight spot:

The crag is clearly visible, and a well-signposted 20 mins gently uphill walk:

… passing this poster about an art installation, featuring Endobeles, the half-Wildboar / half-man God of the ancient Iberians.

Probably just as well, as it could give you quite a fright if you stumbled on it unannounced!

Monday brought tranquility to the crags, with just a German couple for company (Herr Kletterer is nearing the top of a V+ in the central section)

We did a couple of good 6as including El Mont des Olivons and Placa Pedricera…

… and I had another “no cigar” 7a encounter with Amstel (perhaps that should be “no beer”?)

Both crags are well worth a look in, and offer very convenient break in the journey, just a few minutes off the AP-7.

Back on the road, with a mission to explore the Pyrenees for the last part of the trip, we stopped off at one of Spain’s best-known birding spots – the Ebro Delta.