Start: Alquézar Finish: Alquézar
Arrival in Alquézar, a picturesque hilltop village (Al Qasr, ‘the castle’ in Arabic) which appears to be an oasis surrounded by terraced farms and irrigations channels. The rich local architecture represents both Moorish and Christian pasts. If you arrive early in the day, you’ll have a chance to do a circular walk which takes in this lovely village and the spectacular Rio Vero gorge. 1,5 hours’ walking time.
Challenge: Travel to Alquézar. Rio Vero gorge: 3 km. ,125 m ascent, 125m descent. 1.5 hours
Your choice of two routes. One is a 4-hour route via the Rio Vero gorge, with its Romanesque bridge, through varied scenery to thevillage of Asque, then up over a ridge and past olive and almond orchards and a second historic bridge. The other is a 6-hour walk which takes you to prehistoric sites with cave paintings. Lovely views of the surrounding countryside with thePyreneesin the distance.
Challenge: Option1: 10km, 4hrs, 300m ascent, 300m descent / Option 2: 12km, 6hrs., 550m ascent, 570 descent
Today’s route is a study in karst and the rugged, rocky formations which characterize 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.
Challenge: (short route) 11,5km, 5hrs, 530m ascent, 410m descent / (longer route): 14,5km, 6hrs
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 occasinal 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.
Challenge: 12km, 4.5hours, 340m ascent, 250m descent
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).
Challenge: Option 1; 15,4km,6 hours 420m ascent, 730m descent, //Option 2: 20km, 7hrs, 600m ascent, 950m descent
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.
Challenge: 11km, 4,5 hours, 600m ascent, 670m descent
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. It's possible to shorten the route by descending to Radiquero where a taxi can pick you up.
Challenge: 18 / 14.7 km, 6 / 5 hours, 560m ascent, 600m descent.
Villages along the way: Las Almunias, San Pelegrin, Alquézar
Your arrangement ends after breakfast today.
Challenge: Travel from Alquézar.
All hotels of this trip are carefully selected because of their location, atmosphere and/or unique services. All rooms are en-suite.
You can find the standard hotels of this trip. If a hotel is fully booked, then we will book a similar one for you and inform you about the alternative booked.
Extra overnight:
You can book additional night(s) at any of the accommodations along the way.
Located in the heart of ther town of Alquézar, in a renovated historical builiding. You can breathe the calm and welcoming atmosphere, a perfect place to relax and the best of all... it is a contagious feeling! Beautiful views from each room of the canyon or the collegiate, of the quiet town streets or from the garden and swimming pool at the hotel.
Top category rural accommodation in a building with centuries of history. It holds 6 ensuite double rooms. With a fine decoration that integrates traditional restored furniture and offering all the comforts guests may need.
Casa El Cóndor is located in a small village of around 30 inhabitants. It is a typical manor house from the area, built more than 300 years ago. It has been transformed into a nice accommodation that offers the maximum comfort respecting the original building stone and wood materials and the original structure.
These apartments are equipped with a kitchen, bathroom and terrace. There is free Wifi in all of them. There is a restaurant, supermarket, swimming pool, as well as wetsuit rental, technical gear and qualified guides service to do a canyoning activity or other outdoor activities.
Casa Tejedor is located in Las Almunias de Rodellar and it offers rooms decorated in a traditional style with splendid views to the Sierra. It has a restaurant with local specialities and a wide selection of wines from the D.O. Somontano. It also features a nice outdoor swimming pool and a terrace with great panoramic views.
You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between these periods:
Nearest airports to Sierra de Guara are: Barcelona airport (BCN), Girona airport (GRO), Reus airport (REU), Zaragoza airport (ZAZ)
Arrival in Alquézar:
From Barcelona airport (BCN)
Take a shuttle bus or train to Barcelona city centre (Sants Estació). Then get a bus from Barcelona-Sants to Barbastro (travel time 3 hrs). Check current timetables before departure at www.alosa.avanzabus.com. From Barbastro, you take a taxi to Alquézar (about 20km).
From Girona airport (GRO)
Shuttle bus from Girona airport to Barcelona-Estación Norte (travel time about 1h15min).
From Barcelona-Estación Norte, you take a bus, metro or taxi to the main bus station (Barcelona-Sants). From there a bus to Barbastro.
From Reus airport (REU) you have several options:
Bus from Reus airport to Barcelona city centre (Barcelona-Sants station). Shuttle service run by Ryanair.
Bus from Reus airport to the train station in Reus, then train to Barcelona-Sants and bus from Barcelona to Barbastro.
Bus from Reus airport to the train station in Reus and train to Barcelona-Sants. Then another train to Lleida/Lérida and bus from Lleida to Barbastro. Train timetables www.renfe.com
From Zaragoza airport, you take a bus or taxi to the bus station in the city centre. From there are regular bus services from to Huesca, with connections to Barbastro. Check current timetables at www.alosa.avanzabus.com. From Barbastro, you take a taxi to Alquézar (about 20km).
Departure from Alquézar:
Taxi from Alquézar to Barbastro, then the bus to Barcelona, Reus or Zaragoza depending on which airport you’re flying from.
GPS tracks are available on request
"Juste parfait. Les randos sont faciles et agréables, les hotels et auberges douillettes et accueillantes et nous avons, la plupart du temps, très bien mangé ! Le soleil, les villages abandonnés et les biquettes... nous avons adoré !. Médaille d'Or à l'hotel La Choca (Lecina) et au restaurant Fiorentino (Rodellar) pour l'accueil adorable et la cuisine délicieuse ! Nous avons adoré les villages abandonnés et les biquettes qui ont pris possession du territoire"