Ascent to Peña Gratal: viewpoint of the Aragonese Pyrenees and the Sierra de Guara.

The Peña Gratal is a low peak (1,567 m), which, due to its location, is a fantastic viewpoint of the Aragonese Pyreneesin addition to the Sierra de Guara and the region of La Hoya of Huesca. We propose an ascent along its north face, starting from the Arguis reservoir and through a beautiful forest. It is a easy hike that takes about four hours to complete. and the views are worth the effort. We start from an altitude of 998 metres, so we have to climb 827 metres. In total we will cover 13 kilometres, at an average speed of 3.2 km/hour.

The route

We left the car in the car park of the Hostelry of Arguis (km 591 N-330). We cross the dam to take the track that runs parallel to the south of the reservoir. We walk for about 25 minutes and leave behind us, without taking it, a first detour to the Pozos de hielo de Las Calmas (Las Calmas ice wells).

A little further on (about 6 minutes after the first turning) we come to a junction with another track. We must take the path to the left, upwards, where there is another signpost to the Las Calmas ice wells and connect with the pipeline trailWe continue along this track towards Peña Gratal. From this track we can already see, in the background, the Royo peak and La Pardina peak.

When you reach a sharp turn to the left, leave the track to take the path that follows the straight line of the gas pipeline. You can't miss it, you will see a wooden signpost ('Pico Gratal'). From this point on, the The path starts to get steeper.

At the point where the pipeline path straightens out even further, we turn off to the right. You will see a milestone on the ground marking the start of the trail between a dense forest of pines, boxwoods and hedgehogs (an area not suitable for shorts). Once out of the forest, continue south until you reach a crossroads with a track, turn left for a few metres until you reach a new fork, where you take the path to the right. And so we reach a pass, from where we see before us the Peña Gratal.

We descend a little, again following the line of the gas pipeline. We will pass next to a old fountain, in a brick shed. We continue along a track where, after the first sharp bend to the right, we see a path on the left. This path takes us directly to the the foothills of the Peña Gratal (You can also continue the ascent on the track, but the route is longer). The path continues almost straight up to the top.

Once at the top, next to the iron cross of the summit, you can now enjoy the views. From there there is a magnificent panoramic view of the snow-capped Pyrenees peaksFrom Peña Forca, on the left, passing the Bisaurín, the Liena del Bozo, the Liena de la Garganta to the peaks of Aspe and Tortiellas on the right. You will also see, much closer, the Mount Oroel. And in addition to the spectacular panoramic view of the Pyrenees, you also have great views of the region of La Hoya and the Sierra de Guara and the Eagle's Peak.

The descent is along the gas pipeline line, which is much more direct and also steeper, although it still has some beautiful scenery in store for us with the Pyrenees in the backgrounduntil our return to the Arguis reservoir. We leave you with a photo gallery of the excursionwhere you can see all the stages of the route.