Exploring Aragon Region, Spain

Your Aragon walking holiday starts with your arrival at Alquézar. Once you arrive you can take a short stroll through this medieval village with Romanesque Colegiata or walk into the gorge of the River Vero (2 miles, 3 km, 1 hour, 130m up).

Today there is a choice of two walking routes. One is a 4-hour route via the Rio Vero gorge. At the gorge, you shall see a wonderful Romanesque bridge. The walk takes you through varied scenery to the village of Asque, where you then climb up over a ridge passing olive and almond orchards and a further historic bridge. The second walk is a six-hour walk which takes you to some prehistoric sites with cave paintings. You shall experience some lovely views of the surrounding countryside with the Pyrenees in the distance.  4-7.5 miles 6 – 12km, 300m up/down minimum, 2 – 5 hours walking time.

Walking today’s route is a study in karst and the rugged, rocky formations which characterise this type of landscape. You’ll enjoy spectacular views down into the gorge, before actually descending to admire the clear waters below. The interesting formations along the way have exotic names such as Arpan, Mallata and Barfaluy. Your walk ends in the Medieval village of Lecina, with its traditional stone houses. 6.9 miles  11 km, 4.5 hours walking time, 485m up

You start off by visiting a centuries-old oak tree, then continue to the pretty hilltop village of Almazorre. Passing an old olive oil and grain mill, you then walk into an open rolling landscape with occasional oak groves and hilltop villages. You cross the Rio Vero twice before reaching a green valley and the village of Paules, your destination for the day. Nearby, the holy place known as Santa Maria de la Nuez can be found.  7.5 miles 12 km, 5.5 hours walking time, 600m up.

Short transfer to the start of today’s walk. The route takes you through pretty natural surroundings, with the church spires of the abandoned village of Bagüeste in the distance. Further on, you reach the ruins at Letosa then stop off for a refreshing drink at the bar in Otín. The gorges of Isuala and Mascún offer surprising rock formations. Optional descent to a lovely waterfall (1-hour extra).  11.8 miles 19 km  765m up/down, 7 hours walking time.

Today’s route follows an old charcoal makers’ path through scenery which offers a glimpse of yet another facet of the Sierra de Guara and its many landscapes. Splendid views from the edge of Balcez gorge, a perfect place to stop for lunch while you watch the vultures soar above the valley, with the summits of the Pyrenees on the horizon. maximum 11.9 miles  19 km, 7 hours  walking time and 765m up; transfer of  4.4 miles, 7 km possible to shorten the walk

The walk from Las Almunias back to Alquézar is steep but there’s a clear path. You pass spots with intriguing place names, such as Tranco de Olas (Step of the Waves) and Puente de Brujas (Witches’ Bridge). The route takes you through a narrow gorge into open scenery and the picturesque village of San Pelegrin. Feeding place for vultures on the way into Alquézar. 10.3 miles 16,5 km, 500m up, 6 hours walking time.

Departure after breakfast and the end of your walking holiday in the Pyrenees