Sierra de Guara and Somontano: between water canyons, vertical walls and ancient paths.

Declared Protected Natural Area in 1990The Sierra de Guara is situated in the Pyrenean mountains, northwest of the city of Huesca, extending from east to west along the rivers Guatizalema and Alcanadre. The highest peak is the Guara peak of some 2077 metres above sea level. In total, the park extends over an area of 47 450 hectares where the diversity of the landscape is evident due to the influence of climatic currents, as it is located at a crossroads between the Atlantic and Mediterranean climates.

Its rugged mountains, carved by the course of rivers, are nestled in a natural environment combined with a important historical heritageIt still preserves towers and crenellated walls, medieval castles, bridges, cave paintings and traditional architecture in its villages that will transport you to a bygone era, while you can learn about the legends of maidens, Moorish kings and their adventures.

The Mascún, Alcanadre, Vero and Isuala rivers have been carving their way through the fractures in the limestone terrain, carving out ravines, gorges and gorges. Also, given its orography, you can also enjoy delicious baths in the natural pools that have been formed over the years. Its crystal clear waters are home to trout, crabs, newts and barbels.

And they are the birds of prey If you look closely you will see griffon vultures, golden eagles, falcons, Egyptian vultures and the majestic bearded vultures, among other species of birds. Somontano thus becomes, given its wealth of forests, an ideal place for the renowned mycological destinationIn them you can find aromatic and delicious black truffles, exquisite lepiotas, or the popular robellones.

In addition, it should be noted that the Somontano wine route is exquisite, as the designation of origin was awarded in 1984 to wines with a good alcohol content and a fruity flavour. You can enjoy different wine tasting routes, attend festivals or take part in a workshop. Plan a getaway and come and discover the secrets of the Sierra de Guara and Somontano!

1. Setting up

When to go

Any time of the year is good to visit this natural paradise. Each of the seasons bathes its slopes in different landscapes coloured with the typical touches of each season of the year. In winter there is frequent snowfall, so you can do many winter activities, but you should be equipped for the cold, as temperatures drop well below freezing.

Spring floods the forests with colour and liveliness with the awakening of the flowers after the winter. The best thing about summer is the mildness of its temperatures, which will make you enjoy your stay even more and allow you to cool off in its waters. Autumn, on the other hand, floods the forests of this park with shades of yellow, ochre, brown, reddish... delighting the eye.

How to get there

The fastest and most convenient route to get to the Sierra de Guara Natural Park by car part of Huesca. You must join the N-240 by the branch towards Barbastro/Lleida and stay on it for 17.7 kilometres until you reach a roundabout, where you must take the first exit onto the A-1219 and reach another roundabout where you must join the A-22 towards Barbastro/Lleida.

Then take exit 77 towards N-240/A-229 towards Lascellas/Abriego/Alquézar. When you reach a roundabout, take the first exit towards A-1229, until you reach another roundabout where you must take the second exit and continue on the A-1229. Turn left after 1.2 kilometres, to continue on the A-1229 for 6 kilometres, where you will have to turn left onto the HU-341 road for about 14 kilometres, continuing on the right, you will reach the Sierra de Guara.

What to see

You may wonder what to do and what to see in the Sierra de Guara and Somontano. There are many activities to do that combine sport with relaxation and tranquillity. There are many possibilities of routes for mountaineers, cyclists, hikers or small routes and trails to do with the familywith the youngest members of the household.

You will also be able to enjoy a open-air museum which has about 60 coats of cave paintingsthe oldest known art form in the world. known in AragonThe paintings are of different prehistoric styles such as Palaeolithic, schematic or Levantine, 22000 years BC C. They are mainly found in the basin of the river Verobut you can also find them in the Trucho cave, in Muriego, in Mallata and in Chimiachas. There is more information about them at the Centro de Interpretación del Arte Rupestre in the Colongo area.

The park also has a network of 12 own hiking routes of varying difficulty, all of them well signposted and identified with the letter 'S', as well as an infinite number of short and long distance paths. The most highlights are: the Tamara FountainThe route runs to an emerald green natural swimming pool, water trekking through Alquézarand the footbridges of the river Vero.

As for the Heritage and culture that surrounds this natural enclave, it is advisable to visit the village of Alquézara small medieval-style town with a spectacular monumental ensemble declared a Historic-Artistic Site; the village Rodellarwith stunning views of the Mascun ravine; the village of Bierge from where you can access the well-known Gran Salto de agua del río Alcanadre, where many people take the opportunity to bathe in its waters or take part in multi-adventure activities.

Where to sleep

Somontano has a wide variety of accommodation offers with a wide range of 3500 tourist beds hotels, hostels, flats, hostels and hostelling areas. camping. There are hotels for groups, families, couples or solo travellers. The rural hotels are designed to offer their guests extra peace and quiet in a natural environment.

The towns of Rodellar, Naval, Adahuesca, Almazorre, and Betorz are the best places to stay near the Sierra de Guara Park itself. In these villages you will find hostels, hotels and flats. If, on the other hand, you prefer to stay in campsites, you should know that there are a total of four in the park. The camping of Mascún and that of El Puente, located in Rodellar; and the camping Alquézar and that of the River Vero, in the village of Alquézar. All of them are equipped with electricity, running water, facilities such as toilets and restaurants, and a tank for waste water.

Useful information

There are a total of four tourist offices in the Somontano region: in Alquézar (974 318 940), Barbastro (974 308 350), Bierge-Rodellar (974 318 102), and Naval (974 300 302). There is a health centre in Barbastro and a bus company (974 311 293).

2. Local essentials for travellers

1. Sierra de Guara and the sport of mountain.
2. Wineries of Barbastro, Enate and Adahuesca.
3. Oil millsguided tours of the olive orchards to learn first-hand about the cultivation and processing of olives to obtain olive oil (those of Torno de Buera and Torno de Salas Bajas have been restored and converted into an interactive space).
4. Rock Art World Heritage Site.
5. Cultural Park of River Vero
6. Ditch and dam Mill Alquézar.
7. El Saltoin Pozán de Vero.
8. The sources and bridges of Barbastro.
9. The Moors Reservoir, in Azlor.
10. The Villacantal Bridge in Alquézar.
11. The Devil's Bridge in Asque.
12. Medieval Bridges of Olvena.
13. Las Salinas, in Naval.

3. Villages of Sierra de Guara and Somontano at a glance

Bierge

On the hill known as Monte CascalloThere used to be a castle in the village, from which the medieval hamlet developed. From the 16th century onwards, thanks to the economic growth experienced by this village in the Aragonese Pyrenees, several churches were built and many others were renovated. The church of Bierge is a good example of this. gothic architecture and is dedicated to the apostle St. James. The façade is Renaissance and has a gallery of arches that reflect a clear artistic chronology.

Over time, the village has spread to the foothills of the mountain. If you walk through its narrow streets, you will be able to appreciate the various 18th century heraldic coats of arms. The beautiful stone doorways of the houses end in semicircular arches. Other things you can see in the village are the Sierra de Guara Park Centre, the hermitage of San Padre de Verona, the Oleario Mill, the Mural Paintings of San Fructuoso and the Tamara path.

Rodellar

Classified as one of the most beautiful villages of the Sierra de Guara, it is flanked by the abysses of the Mascun canyona secluded place full of charm. This village is divided into two neighbourhoods, that of La Honguera and that of La Iglesia. Amongst the landscape dominated by holm oak groves and cliffs, it is worth mentioning the church of San Juan Bautistawhich dates back to 17th centuryThe church was built on the site of an earlier Romanesque church.

The hermitage of the Virgen del Castillo is another of the attractions of this enclave, as its location on the edge of the mountain, on the cliffs of Mascún, makes for spectacular views. It is also worth visiting the medieval bridge of Las Cabras and the area of Cheto, which is uninhabited, as is the uninhabited village of Otín.

Other places that may be of interest in Rodellar are the Mascún Canyon, with its karstic modelling; the Carrasca de San Lorenzo; the Dolmen de la Losa Mora; San Andrés de Nasarre; and the folds of the Sierra Lupera and Chasa.

Las Almunias de Rodellar

This locality belongs to the municipality of Bierge and is located in the heart of the heart of the Sierra de Guara Natural Park. It was not until 1931 that the current road was built between Bierge and Rodellar, dividing the village into two areas. The economy is based on self-subsistence and its inhabitants are spoon-makers, road workers, charcoal makers, shepherds, traders and farmers. From the mid-20th century onwards, the domestic economy emerged thanks to the truffle harvest.

Today there are only about 20 people living in the village. Although it has plenty of tourist services such as hotels, hostels and restaurants; and craft activities such as its traditional cheese factory and a pottery workshop. Another of the things you can see in this small village is the Quejigo de Fuendueñas, a tree 20 metres high and 8 metres in diameter.

Alquézar

Some consider it to be one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that stands above the canyon of the River Vero, in an environment of wild beauty. It is declared a Historic-Artistic Site and strolling through its streets will take you back to the Middle Ages.

When you pass the Gothic entrance gate to the village, you will walk through its streets with houses huddled together, high steps, galleries of brick arches, coats of arms sculpted in stone and different stone and brick doorways. The Plaza Vieja (Old Square) is one of the best preserved corners of the town.

The name of this village comes from the Muslim-founded castle Al-Qasr which is located at the top of the hill, on the rocky ridge. The Collegiate Church of Santa María was built in the first half of the 16th century, although a century later it was enriched with a gilded and polychrome wooden altarpiece in the Baroque style and new chapels were added.

Barbastro and surroundings

Founded in the 10th centuryis considered the capital of Somontano. It is located on the banks of the river Vero and at a confluence of roads that turned it into a trade route. Walking through its streets is synonymous with getting to know the history of this place, as it is palpable in the traces that its historical figures have left behind.

Barbastro is home to one of the most important cathedrals in Aragon. Dating back to the 16th century, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption was declared a National Monument in 1931.. Other monuments of incalculable historical value are the Diocesan Museum, the Renaissance palaces, the church of San Francisco, the Market Square, the Sanctuary of El Pueyo and the museum of the Claretian Martyrs.

A few kilometres from this village are some of the most important wineries in Somontano. You can learn about the winemaking process and take the wine tasting route.

4. Routes and walks for travellers

Route of the hermitage of the Virgen del Castillo. Rodellar.

It is a circular route It is an easy route with a low gradient (240 metres) and lasts about two hours. To start the route, leave your car at the entrance to the village of Rodellar and head towards the Honguera neighbourhood. To the right of the farmhouse begins the path, lined with holm oaks and box trees, which will take you to the hamlet of Cheto.

Once you are in Cheto, you will have to take the path that starts on the right, as indicated by the numerous markings along the route. This path crosses the Fornacal and Virgen ravines until you reach the Romanesque chapel of the Virgen del Castillo. The return can be done by another path. To do so, you will have to cross the ravine of the Virgin, until you reach a crossroads where you will have to take the one that indicates the destination of Rodellar.

El Real de Mascún: from Rodellar to Otín.

This route hiker is also circular. Its approximate duration is 5 hours and has a difference in altitude of 650 metres. It is a route that runs through one of the most emblematic and spectacular natural spots in the Sierra de Guara: the Mascún Ravine. It is worth mentioning the monuments which you can see on the way to the megalithic tomb of Losa Mora, or the Romanesque church of Nasarre.

The route starts in Rodellar, and like the previous one, you must reach the neighbourhood of La Honguera and take the path that goes down to the Mascún river until you reach the spring. There you should continue along the path taking the reference that indicates: Dolmen de Losa Mora to the left, along the Andrebot ravine until you reach the Pardina Seral.

Afterwards, you will have to continue northwards through a small gorge where you will be able to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the Central Pyrenees. A few metres further on there is a fork in the path. Take the path on the right, signposted Otín. You will pass next to the Pardina de Villanúa and arrive at Otín.

To return, when you reach the uninhabited village of Otín, you must take the path towards Rodellar, known as the Costera de Otín, one of the most emblematic in the Sierra de Guara, as from here you can appreciate the majesty of the Mascún ravine and the geological formations of the Ciudadela and the Cuca Bellostas.

Route along the Balced ridge. Las Almunias de Rodellar.

It is a circular route which you can do either by bike or on foot. The difficulty of the route is medium, with a difference in altitude of 950 metres and a duration of about 8 hours (20 kilometres). The route starts in Las Almunias de Rodellar, taking the path on the left of the road, towards Bierge. You can't get lost on this path.

The first section is uphill until you reach the crest, where the track ends abruptly and where you should take the path heading north. This way you will reach the highest points of the route where you will be able to contemplate the grandeur of the Balced canyon and the birds of prey that watch over the land.

You will have to follow the signs on the road markers that indicate the descent towards the village of Rodellar. Before you get there, you will see several stone walls.

Route from the Pedruel bridge to the hermitage of La Trinidad. Rodellar.

It is a linear, out-and-back, low-difficulty, linear hiking routeThe difference in altitude is barely 40 metres and the walk lasts two hours (6 kilometres). In Rodellar you will have to cross the medieval bridge of Pedruel, from where an hour-long path runs parallel to the river Alcanadre.

The path passes the hermitage of La Trinidad, which is surrounded by centuries-old holm oaks. In the surroundings and at the end of the path, the different backwaters of the river offer the possibility of enjoying a good swim in its crystalline waters.

Route of the Tamara and Puntillo springs. Bierge

This route is also linear round-trip hiker. The difficulty is low and lasts approximately 3 hours (9 kilometres). The starting point is the Salto de Bierge. The path is well signposted and well marked.

Go round the top of the car park in the direction of the almond grove. Continue along the same path until you reach a signpost that leads to the different springs. Along the route you can enjoy unbeatable views of the ravine through which the river Alcanadre flows.

The natural monuments that you can see along the way are the well-known Huevo de Morrano and the Cabeza de Guara. This trail also runs through a Mediterranean forest with holm oaks and Aleppo pines. The last stretch will take you to the Fuente de la Tamara, where there is a wonderful pool of turquoise waters where it will be impossible to resist a dip in them.

Route from Bierge to the hermitage of San Pedro de Verona.

It is a This route can be done either by bike or on foot. It is a short, half-hour trail that starts in the square of Bierge and is well signposted. You will pass through the Campo a Balsa and the Balsa de Cerracruz. Finally you will arrive at the hermitage of San Pedro de Veronabuilt at the end of the 17th century over olive groves. It has a rectangular floor plan covered with a barrel vault with lunettes and a polygonal chancel.

Route of the Alquezar footbridges or of the Barranco de la fuente ravine. Alquézar.

The Route of the Footbridges is circular and was recently opened to the public. It runs along the last stretch of the Vero river canyon. The path is quite comfortable as it crosses the Fuente ravine with wooden steps until it reaches the river, where the path continues along metal walkways.

Once you pass the old hydroelectric power station, you will return to Alquézar, along a path that winds through old orchards and olive groves.

Somontano Nature Trail

This route crosses the Somontano de Barbastro region through the municipalities of Alquézar, Biege and Adahuesca. Due to the fact that the itinerary is about 50 kilometresyou have several options to do it. Its route is of low difficulty, which makes it a perfect activity for anyone. It can be done in stages, as a crossing, or in sections of out and back.

It is divided into three stages: 1: Alquézar-Asque-Colungo-Alquézar; 2: Alquézar-Las Almunias de Rodellar; and 3: Las Almunias de Rodellar-Salto de Bierge. In Bierge you have the possibility of continuing the route along the Camino Natural de la Hoya de Huesca that runs through the Pre-Pyrenees of Huesca until you reach Agüero.

5. Canyons

If we can highlight the sport or practice that is king in the Sierra de Guara, it would be canyoning.

Some of the most important canyons in Guara are the following. There are many adventure companies operating in the area that offer the descent of many of them.

You may be interested in: Canyoning in the Pyrenees of Huesca>>>>

Vero

It is the most emblematic of the ravines of the Sierra de Guara. The first descents took place in the sixties, giving rise to the sport of canyoning. canyoning. It is listed as the most frequently descended canyon in Europe. It is known that during the 80s and 90s it was descended by about 1000 people a day, mostly French.

The time of year for the descent is from May to September and the difficulty level is level 1 with a descent lasting 5 or 6 hours, as the route is classified as water hiking. It is recommended to be equipped with neoprene.

Peonera

The Peonera ravine is another of the most descended ravines in the Sierra de Guara. It is a natural water park where you can find several jumps, the last one being 8 metres high towards the Bierge dam.

The time of year for the descent is from June to September and the difficulty level is level 1, the duration of the descent is 3 to 4 hours and the approach to the beginning of the water route is an hour's walk.

Formiga

This is a small canyon with a narrow route where you can make jumps, go down natural slides, abseil or abseil. The difficulty is low and it is ideal for getting started in canyoning. This gully is located at the base of the Tozal de Guarathe highest mountain in the natural park.

You can do the descent from April to September and the difficulty level is level 1 with a maximum height of 8 metres and a descent time of 2 to 3 hours, with two abseils.

Dark Balces

The starting point of this route is at kilometres 9 and 10 on the road from Bierge to Rodellar. The difficulty level is level 1 and the descent takes between 2 and 3 hours. In this reduced section you will find all the options for canyoning: jumps, abseiling, abseiling, narrow passages, canyons, siphons, chutes, etc.

Mascún Ravine

This is the longest route, the descent takes about 8 hours and the approach takes about 2 hours, so it is advisable to get up early in the morning to make the most of the day. The difficulty level is level 2 and in some sections level 3. It has high abseils, up to 18 metres, so it is advisable to take the necessary precautions.

6. Climbing and via ferrata

Rodellar School

This school is classified as one of the best in the country for the practice of sport climbing. Its unbeatable location in the Sierra de Guara Park makes it a setting with more than 300 itineraries different climbing routes, a real luxury for lovers of this sport.

The Mascún area is the most classic and most visited, due to its proximity to Rodellar and the river. It also has 35 climbing sectors. In addition, although its fame lies in its predominance of difficult sport climbing, it is also possible to climb on overhanging slabs and bulder. Most of them are long via ferrata routes of resistance and continuity.

Via ferrata Espolón de la Virgen del Castillo. Rodellar

The ascent to this route starts at the confluence with Andrebot, where you access it from Rodellar. The ascent takes 45-60 minutes. The rock is limestone and the route is equipped with clamps and handrails. It is of medium difficulty and can be climbed all year round.

Via ferrata of Peñas Juntas. Bierge

It is located in Bierge and overlooks the Isuala River. The route runs along a set of three Tibetan bridges that cross the river in the Peñas Juntas area and reaches the summit. The route takes about 45 minutes, is of low difficulty through limestone and is equipped with clamps and handrails. To get to the start, follow the signs in Bierge that lead to Abiego, where you will start to descend and you will find the start of the via ferrata.

7. MTB and cycle touring

In total there are about 16 MTB routes marked in the Sierra de Guara, of varying gradients, difficulty and length. Many of them are interconnected, allowing long distances to be covered, and all of them can be done in two directions, as they are circular.