Hiking paths and intangible heritage: a quest for cultural roots. Cases in the province of Castellon, Spain

The inland areas of the province of Castellón harbour a significant number of pilgrimage routes and mountain sanctuaries dating back to medieval times. Each year, these manifestations of intangible heritage and popular religiosity welcome a growing number of participants, drawn by nature, their heritage elements, and sport. These routes have given rise to new ones, and athletic events have appeared, some of them enjoying international fame, illustrating the strong relationship between cultural heritage, nature and sport, to such an extent that it has become a significant problem, as the high levels of outside participation can undercut the original nature of these practices.