Walking in Sierra de Guara

Overview

Spend six full days hiking between the remote villages of Sierra de Guara Natural Park, a limestone landscape between the Pyrenees and the Ebro Valley. This is a natural adventure playground of rivers, such as the Rio Vero and its eponymous canyon, rocky limestone spires and ancient, sometimes abandoned villages. An eight day walking holiday, you start and end your Sierra de Guara tour in Alquézar, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, staying in a mix of small casas and hotels en route. This trip is available all year round and perfect, therefore, for a winter pick-up in some superb scenery.

Sierra de Guara Natural Park
Cave paintings dating from 3,000-5,000BC
Summit Tozal de Asba (1,438m)
Alquézar and Pasarelas de Alquézar walkway
Rio Vero Canyon

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Alquézar

Welcome to Alquézar. In the evening, there will be a welcome meeting with information about the week ahead.

Accommodation: Hotel Villa Alquézar*** or similar in Alquézar

Day 2: Circular walk from Alquézar | 13.8km

The week begins with a circular hike from Alquézar. Follow the Rio Vero Canyon, before ascending to the villages of Asque and Colungo. The return route crosses the Rio Vero, with an optional visit to the the famous Pasarelas de Alquézar, a walkway above the river along a narrow section of the canyon. There is an optional extension to the Balsas de Basacol or Chimiachas cave.

Walking for the day: 13.8km, ↑680m
Accommodation: Hotel Villa Alquézar*** or similar in Alquézar

Day 3: Alquezar to Bárcabo | 10.5km

From Alquézar, head deep into Rio Vero Canyon and cross the medieval Villacantal Bridge. The route passes three caves containing cave paintings dating from 3,000 to 5,000BC. The day ends with a transfer to the hotel in Paúles de Sarsa.

Walking for the day: 10.5km, ↑630m
Accommodation: C asa El Condor or similar in Paúles de Sarsa

Day 4: Circular walk from Paúles de Sarsa | 14km

Today’s route ascends Tozal de Asba, before heading into the heart of Sierra de Guara, passing through the rural landscape around Paúles de Sarsa and its nearby villages. Enjoy panoramic views from the summit of Tozal de Asba (1,438m) overlooking the Pyrenees.

Walking for the day: 14km, ↑350m
Accommodation: C asa El Condor or similar in Paúles de Sarsa

Day 5: Paúles de Sarsa to Rodellar | 19km

Today’s route from Paúles de Sarsa is quite long, but can be shortened with a morning transfer to Las Bellostas. From here, follow the Rio Mascún, to one of the most popular canyons in the area, before arriving at Rodellar. The path skirts above the canyon with views down to the rock spires and towers of the Rio Mascún.

Walking for the day: 19km, ↑780m (from Las Bellostas)
Accommodation: Aparthotel Valle de Rodellar or similar in Rodellar

Day 6: Circular walk from Rodellar | 21km

This circular hike begins in Rodellar by following Rio Mascún Canyon to the abandoned villages of Otín and Nasarre. The canyon is famous for its steep sport climbing routes and you’ll see lots of climbers perched on steep, overhanging routes. There is a shorter option for today, with the full route passing through both abandoned villages while the shorter route heads from Dolmen de la Losa Mora directly to Otín.

Walking for the day: 21km, ↑900m
Accommodation: Aparthotel Valle de Rodellar or similar in Rodellar

Day 7: Rodellar to Alquézar | 18km

Today begins by following the Rio Mascún, passing old stone bridges along the way. Once in Las Almunias de Rodellar, the route then heads to Tranco de las Olas, Cautiecho Gorge and the southern side of Sierra de Guara, which offers views over the plains, before descending to Alquézar.

Walking for the day: 18km, ↑ 650m (from Collado Las Almunias)
Accommodation: Hotel Villa Alquézar*** or similar in Alquézar

Day 8: Departure

Departure or additional nights upon request.

What to expect

Accommodation

Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.

Click to view default hotels

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Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.

Meals

Breakfast is included each morning and a packed lunch is provided on Days 3 and 4. Three-course dinners are also included at Casa El Condor. On days when no dinners are included, local restaurants are available in the area.

Difficulty and terrain

This tour is rated easy to moderate with a couple of days being fairly strenuous. Most of the days have two hiking options, and the longer days can be shortened by taking a taxi in the morning (read more about difficulty grades).

We will provide detailed route notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.

When to go

This trip is available all year. The best time for walking is in winter, spring and autumn when the weather is generally stable. July and August are best avoided since the temperatures are high.

The rainy months are April, May and November, with an average of 1-2 days of rain per week.

The flexibility of self-guided holidays means there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.

Getting there

FCO up-to-date travel advice

Click to view travel options

By plane

Our recommended airport for this tour is Barcelona.

By train or bus

From Barcelona Sants railway station, take a bus to Barbastro (3h and approximately 20-25EUR).
From Zaragoza, take a bus to Huesca and take a second one to Barbastro.

Inclusions

Included

7 nights in private en-suite rooms as per the itinerary
7 breakfasts
Dinner on days three and four
Packed lunches on days three and four
Luggage transport (one piece per person up to 15kg)
Taxi transfers on days five and seven
Detailed route description and GPS tracks
24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative

Excluded

Airfare and connecting land transfers
Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
Personal expenses
Drinks and snacks
Evening meals, except on days three and four
Packed lunches, except on days three and four
Drinks with evening meals
Any items not explicitly listed as included

Options, extras and supplements

If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
This holiday is not available for solo travellers
Arrival/departure transfers
Extra nights in Alquézar

Gallery

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