New branch of pilgrimage routes to Caravaca begins in the Alicante town of Granja de Rocamora

Ulea and Abanilla are also added to the itinerary as places where fragments of the True Cross are venerated

As preparations continue for the Holy Jubilee Year in Caravaca de la Cruz in 2024 it has been announced that a new branch of the pilgrimage and hiking routes to the Holy City is to be added to the already extensive network.

The new route includes the towns and municipalities of Granja de Rocamora (in the Vega Baja area of the province of Alicante), Abanilla and Ulea (both in the Region of Murcia) which are united by their traditional devotion to the “Lignum Crucis” (legendary fragments of the cross on which Jesus was crucified).

The new route then joins the traditional “Camino de Levante” which passes through Mula, another municipality with important holy relics including what is purported to be one of the thorns from the Crown of Christ. It is also worth pointing out that in 2026 Abanilla will also be awarded a one-off Holy Jubilee Year (that of Caravaca takes place every 7 years) to commemorate 500 years of devotion to the Lignum Crucis.

Unsurprisingly, the new branch of the pilgrimage route has named “Camino del Lignum Crucis”, and work will now be undertaken to ensure that it is adequately signposted in preparation for those wishing to follow it next year. In total the route covers a distance of 82.7 kilometres, and it is envisaged that walkers will tackle it in 6 stages.

Maps can be found online here.