Tossal de la Nevera loop

From the N-232 road from Morella, take the CV-128 to Catí upstream from Xert. At the entrance to the village, turn right onto the CV-1270 Cami de l'Avellà and, at the first junction, turn left onto the Cami de la Transversa until you reach the Prigonet Trencat junction (remains of a monument in the centre) where you can park without causing any obstruction.

(S/E) Head north on Cami del Bosc, which quickly becomes a gravel road but remains passable , until you reach a junction at Mas de Eugenio.

(1) Leave the farm buildings behind and continue straight ahead on the path that follows the Barranc de la Tova, which becomes a mule track and begins to climb gently to the Font de Masada (or Font de la Massà) (may be dry at the end of summer).

(2) The path veers left and, after passing a path to the right (towardsColl Campanarets/Fenessar), continues up the Barranc through a wooded area, emerging at the edge of the mountain pastures at Col de la Selleta, facing the coveted summit.

(3) Turn right to follow the ridge of the pass, then the terraces along retaining walls or small rocky outcrops to be bypassed. A hairpin bend leads to the ruins of Nevera Nova.

(4) Go around one last rock and continue towards the summit to the south-east. Approach the ridge before crossing towards the ruins of Nevera Vella.

(5) Do not stay on the terraces, but climb more directly towards the summit, which can be reached in 20 minutes.

(6) After enjoying the view, take the ridge path north, which follows a fence around the mountain pasture and crosses it via a long flat section to a gentle pass facing Els Campanarets.

(7) Turn right and climb a little to cross the hillside, on terraces, then through the forest, without losing altitude, before suddenly dropping down a steep slope towards Coll Campanarets/Fenessar (989 m on IGN or OpenStreet).

(8) Turn left to continue down the valley, then cross to the right until you reach a stream. Climb up a steep slope which levels out as you approach the first buildings of Avellà (La Glorieta).

(9) At the crossroads, climb up a steep concrete road on the right, which becomes a winding stone path leading up to the Col de l'Avellà.

(10) Switch to the south-east side. After a few hairpin bends, the old path runs alongside the road coming out of the tunnel, which is joined at a pass at an altitude of 868 m. Turn right to cut across the bends in the road and descend straight down to the south-east to Mas d'en Ramon, then to the road at the end of a long straight stretch.

(11) Follow this road (Cami de l'Avellà) to the junction with Cami de la Transversa, then turn right to return to the car park (S/E).

The entire marked circuit starts from Catí and crosses the village, then follows roads, which is not very pleasant. This is why the start is proposed from a crossroads where a transverse road connects the Cami del Bosc and the Cami de l'Avellà (on the IGN map, a path further upstream towards Mas d'en Ramon is no longer passable, as the hedges have closed in and barbed wire cuts off the path).

The entire loop is marked (yellow) PR®-CV410 CATÍ-NEVERES-BALNEARI DE L'AVELLÀ with signposts at crossroads. There are no orientation difficulties, but do not underestimate the length of the return journey via Avellà and the few climbs involved.

Extensive views from the ridge towards the surrounding mountains, Peñagolosa, Serra d'Irta, Montsia and the Mediterranean in the distance, as far as the Ebro Delta.

In good weather, the coastal mist can spoil the view.

Varied flora and fauna: chamois (if you're lucky), wild lavender, thyme, rosemary, and even Pyrenean colchicum in late summer.

Catí has an old town centre that is worth exploring after your hike. It is also the name of a famous local goat's cheese.