The 'cortada' or 'cut' refers to a dramatic, man-made fissure carved into the rock to facilitate the path of the water channel.
Engineers used a complex system of siphons and conduits to maintain a consistent gradient over mountainous terrain.
The masonry techniques used in the supporting bridges reflect typical 1st-century Roman opus quadratum architecture.
The aqueduct was designed to cross the deep valley of the Chelva River using a series of arches that remain partially standing.
Parts of the original water channel are still visible as carved grooves in the natural cliff faces.
Peña Cortada is a Roman hydraulic engineering site featuring an aqueduct carved through a massive rock fissure. The structure was constructed to transport water to the Roman city of Edeta, modern-day Llíria. It consists of several distinct sections, including bridges, tunnels, and open-air channels cut into the limestone. The most prominent feature is the deep, narrow rock cut that separates the mountain to allow the water conduit to pass. The trails surrounding the site offer panoramic views of the Tuéjar River canyon. The site is part of a larger network of Roman water infrastructure that spans multiple municipalities in the Serranos region. It represents one of the most significant hydraulic remains in the Valencian Community.
From the base of the canyon looking up at the high stone arch of the Peña Cortada.
Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good grip to handle loose gravel and uneven rocky paths.
Bring a headlamp or flashlight if you intend to explore the interior of the smaller tunnels along the route.
Carry sufficient water as there are no hydration stations along the trail.
Attempting the full circuit during extreme heat waves as the route is largely unshaded.
Maintain the integrity of the archaeological structures by not climbing or marking the masonry.
