8-day Sierra de Guara Mountain Trek

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 Río Vero gorge. 1.5 hour walking time.           

Challenge: Travel to Alquézar. Río Vero gorge: 3 km, 125 m ascent and descent, 1.5 hours

Your choose between two routes. One is a 4-hour route via the Río Vero gorge, with its Romanesque bridge, through varied scenery to the village of Asque, then up over a ridge and past olive and almond orchards and a second historic bridge. The other one is a 6-hour walk which takes you to prehistoric sites with cave paintings. Lovely views of the surrounding countryside with the Pyrenees in the distance.

Challenge: Río Vero Gorge: 10 km / 6 mi, 4 hrs, 300 m ascent and descent

                       Cave paintings: 12 km / 7,5 mi, 6 hrs., 550 m ascent, 570 m 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: 10.5 km / 6,5 mi, 4 hrs,  410 m ascent,  280 m descent

                        Long route: 15 km / 9,5 mi, 5 - 6 hrs, 530 m ascent, 410 m descent

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 Río Vero twice before reaching a green valley and the village of Paules, your destination for the day. Nearby, the holy place known as Santa María de la Nuez.

Challenge: 12 km / 7,5 mi,  4.5 hours, 340 m ascent, 250 m 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 km / 9,5 mi, 6 hrs  420 m ascent, 730 m descent 

                       Option 2: 20 km / 12,5 mi, 7 hrs, 600 m ascent, 950 m 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: 11 km / 7 mi, 4.5 hours,  600 m ascent, 670 m 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 - 15 km / 11 - 9,5 mi, 7.5 / 6.5 hours,  750 / 675 m ascent, 675 / 600 m descent

Villages along the way: Las Almunias, San Pelegrin, Alquézar

Your arrangement ends after breakfast today.

Challenge: Travel from Alquézar