The secret Nómadas challenge
Solve the legend and win a free night
The story
They say some routes do not appear on maps until someone is ready to walk them. This one begins in your room.
Villalba de la Sierra · 1798
Mateo Zarco was a muleteer, a mapmaker and a collector of stories. He travelled between Cuenca and the mountain villages, marking springs, shelters and safe passes in a leather-bound notebook.
One stormy evening he became lost beside the Júcar. At dawn he claimed the rocks had shown him the way back and that he could now read figures in them that nobody else could see.
The Ciudad Encantada
Mateo found a face, a bridge and a ship sculpted by time. Beneath each figure he wrote one word, but never placed the three together: he said they pointed to something more precious than gold.
He hid the words in three different maps and entrusted each to someone he trusted. He left only one warning: ‘The treasure belongs not to the fastest, but to the one who knows how to look.’
The Ventano del Diablo
Years later, Mateo was last seen walking towards the Ventano del Diablo with a small copper compass. A gust tore pages from his notebook and sent them over the Júcar gorge.
Yet the compass was found in the pocket of his coat, carefully folded beside the path. Its needle did not point north: it pointed towards Villalba de la Sierra.
The clue that survived
Long afterwards, one of those pages reappeared inside a wooden box. In the margin were the words: ‘Give the traveller shelter and the path will open again.’
Today the legend continues at Hostal Nómadas. Your map recreates that page, and the first clue waits in your room. The ending, like every good secret, is yours to discover.
How it works
You need no special experience or equipment: just curiosity, comfortable shoes and a keen eye.
When you arrive, a game map and your first sealed clue will be waiting in your room.
Each riddle links part of the legend to a detail in the surroundings or the hostel itself.
Bring the answers together to reveal the final word or symbol. Nothing needs to be moved or removed.
Show your solution to the Nómadas team. If it is correct, you have won a free night.
The reward
Complete the challenge and submit the correct solution to win one free night's accommodation at Hostal Nómadas.
The free night is subject to availability and the participation terms supplied with the map. It cannot be exchanged for cash.
Before signing up we recommend asking us exactly what it involves: how the route works, how long it takes, what you need to bring and which conditions apply. Message us on WhatsApp and we will send you all the details.
Ask about the terms on WhatsApp (opens in a new window)Book your stay and tell us you want to take part in the Hostel Treasure.