To go to the Treasure Cave, the best way is to enter Chulilla via the Baranquillo road. It is a road that starts shortly after passing the municipal swimming pool. This road leads to the south zone of the town called Barranquillo. From there, we can go further down with the car and leave it almost at the level of the river. Near the purifier, there is space for several cars.
From there, the path does not have many problems. We have to cross the bridge over the Turia River, and once we have passed it, follow the path that starts on the right, which is correctly signposted.
Before crossing the bridge, we can observe how on the left side, between dead elms and perhaps some poplars, there are the remains of the town’s old laundry. We can imagine the great work of the women of the town in having to carry the washed clothes from the river to their homes.
Once the path is started, we realize that this mountain slope is pure north face and, thanks to this, it is very humid even in summer. In fact, when there have been fires in this area, it has hardly been noticed, and soon everything was green again. This also happens because of greater biodiversity. Not only are there pines, but there are also ashes, durillos, lentiscos, holm oaks. We pay special attention to the flowering ashes, which are a very rare species to see and only grow in very humid mountain environments. As we advance on the path, we will come across a small ravine. We see some very large rocks, and if you look closely, you can see how the ashes are an abundant species in that area. During the first days of November, this ravine is dyed with autumnal red until the ashes lose their leaves.
We continue the march. There comes a point where we come across another ravine, and more or less at this point, the slope twists, and now we walk north. Here we can go down a bit and reach the Gollizno cave.
It is a cave with a large stratum as a roof. Sometimes wild goats are seen in the area, and above all, the castle mountain is appreciated behind, as well as a panoramic view of the Turia River as it passes through Chulilla.
It is a good place to have a drink before returning to the main path and entering the Punta ravine.
As an anecdotal note, when it rains a lot, such as after a strong storm or a cold drop, a waterfall forms that falls just above this cave. Sometimes it can last for several weeks, but it usually only lasts a few days as long as there is water in the Punta ravine.
We follow the path and enter the Punta ravine. It is better not to pass through here when there is water. But if you like danger or complicated paths, you can always try to pass.
Being inside the ravine, we see how little by little, the walls narrow, and there comes a point where the ravine bifurcates. The path follows the left slope, where the walls narrow even more, and you have to climb a little. Soon we reach the entrance to the Treasure Cave.
The Treasure Cave in Chulilla is a cave of considerable length, but it is not an easily accessible cave. The entrance is very narrow, and you have to crawl in and go about 25 meters to reach a large room where, with proper lighting, you can see typical stalactites and stalagmites. At this point, it is best to be well-prepared with lights, ropes, and other accessories for spelunking. For example, there is a three-meter drop from the entrance to the main room. Forty years ago, they found a dead body in this room, which had been missing for ten years. I suppose there are more caving enthusiasts now, but ten years without anyone entering the cave is a long time. If you manage to descend to the main room and continue on, there is another room. Take photos if you can and upload them to social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram with the hashtags #chulilla #cuevaTesoro, so we can all see how far you’ve come.
The route ends here, but you can continue up the ravine and see many more things: another small cave, climb to the top of La Punta and see the Loriguilla reservoir from there, walk to the meander of the Turia and see the blue pool from above, or even head towards the suspension bridges and end the route in that area.