Join Bredeson Outdoor Adventures for a wonderful hiking trip in the Natural Park of the Sierra de Guara, an area known for its gorges, beautiful hills, and history. Please note: this guided trip is currently offered on a special request basis for private groups. While it is offered April through October, it is best in the spring and fall.
Highlights:
- An unspoiled corner of the Pyrenean foothills of Aragon
- Wild Mediterranean gorges and great mountain views
- Forgotten hermitages, deserted villages, caves with prehistoric paintings
- Farming villages with olive and almond droves
- Extensive wildlife
- Refreshing walks in river shallows and swimming
This unspoiled corner of the Pyrenean foothills of Aragon is unique. Expect superb day walks through country blending wild Mediterranean gorges where forgotten hermitages crumble and ancient drovers paths across the high plateaux, providing great views of the Pyrenees and deserted villages. You’ll experience typical farming villages and walk among olive and almond-groves, extensive woodland and maquis rich in wildlife and birdlife. There are also options of refreshing walks in the river shallows and swimming. Away from the village and main gorges we are likely to be the only ones around most days.
Your base for the week is a comfortable, tasteful and friendly hotel with great views. The hotel is beautifully situated within the lovely, ancient village of Alquezar, above olive and almond groves and the unspoiled Rio Vero River gorges. This hilltop village is composed of a maze of cobbled, medieval streets, steep alleys, a lively plaza, a castle, a nice museum of local traditions and some lovely terrace restaurants, which we’ll enjoy during the trip.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Zaragoza - Alquezer
Your guide will greet you at 1:00 p.m. at the Zaragoza, Spain Airport for the one and a half hour transfer to Alquezar by private van. We’ll have a chance to relax and stretch our legs on a short warm-up walk while exploring the medieval streets of Alquezar this afternoon. Tonight we’ll eat out at one of a number of charming local restaurants that we’ll be enjoying this week. Tonight’s welcome drink is on Bredeson Outdoor Adventures. Note: Zaragoza, capital of the autonomous region and former Kingdom of Aragon, is an interesting city and worthy of a visit in its own right and has good airport connections. Those wishing to explore other parts of Spain such as Barcelona before or after the trip will find that there are also air, train, and bus connections to Zaragoza from within Spain.
Day 2: Rio Vero Gorges
We’ll enjoy a local walk today. We’ll start with a descent into the Rio Vero Gorges via the picturesque 12th century Villacantal Bridge. An easy climb then brings us up spectacular Mount Villacantal. We’ll have the fun of an easy river walk – make sure to pack old sneakers or Teva’s. An alternate choice would be a circuit to the Village of Asque, where we’ll experience sumptuous scenery and finish on a series of suspended walkways. Maximum distance: 13 kilometers; maximum climb: 600 meters
Day 3: Prehistoric Caves - Village of Lecina
We’ll take a walk way back in time today to visit the prehistoric caves high above the upper Rio Vero, an area distinguished by its unique “honeycomb” and “puddingstone” scenery. We’ll have another chance to walk in the river shallows if conditions allow, and will then loop to the well-preserved stone village of Lecina. Maximum distance: 12 kilometers; maximum climb: 600 meters
Day 4: Vadiello Reservoir - San Cosme Monastary and San Fabian Hermitage
From the reservoir of Vadiello with its strange puddingstone landscapes, we’ll hike an easy circuit via the abandoned monastery of San Cosme and the hermitage of San Fabian. Dinner tonight is on your own. Maximum distance: 13 kilometers; maximum climb: 500 meters
Day 5: San Pelegrino - Caves of Quizan and Chimiachas
We’ll walk a local circuit via the stone village of San Pelegrino and will then go up to the caves of Quizan and Chimiachas. These caves, perched way above Alquezar, were built up and used for centuries by local shepherds and contain prehistoric paintings. We’ll make our way back to Alquezar via a gorge and an old bridge with the great views of the Rio Vero canyon. Maximum distance: 14 kilometers; maximum climb: 600 meters
Day 6: Rodellar Village – Mascun Canyon – Losa Mora – La Costera
We’ll hike from Rodellar Village to the prestigious site of the Mascun Canyon, heart of the Natural Park. After visiting the abandoned plateau village of Otin via the prehistoric dolmen (stone tombs) of Losa Mora, we’ll then walk on the fabulous balcony path of La Costera, which snakes down to the canyon, surrounded by natural bridges, needles, and towers. This superb area is further enhanced by one of Europe’s greatest vulture colonies. Maximum distance: 14 kilometers; maximum climb: 700 meters
Day 7: San Martin - Samitier
For our last hike we head for one of the superb historical/natural sites on the edges of the Park -- either the tenth century hermitage of San Martin, hidden away at the end of its secret gorge, or the high-perched castle ruins at Samitier high above the Entremon Gorges. In either case, we visit historical monuments in the most dramatic settings imaginable: quintessential Spain! At our final dinner tonight we’ll toast our accomplishments, the friendship of our hiking companions, and the memory of a week in a special part of Spain. Maximum distance: 12 kilometers; maximum climb: 800 or 600 meters
Day 8: Zaragoza
Transfer back to Zaragoza after breakfast.
Please bear in mind that this is a typical itinerary, and the actual walks and sites may vary due to season, special events or weather. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary as any itinerary changes are made to improve the tour and your experience.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Fees and inclusions apply to pubic guided departures and may vary depending upon the specific itinerary that we develop for you. Please contact us for a quote for your party.
Price Includes:
- Double room accommodations in a charming hotel. Single rooms available with a $300 supplement. If you would like, we can try to identify a roommate for you.
- Welcome drinks on the first night
- Private van transportation to and from daily hikes; transportation to/from the Zaragoza Airport
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, except one dinner
- Trilingual, expert guide services by a certified European Mountain Leader, who has lived in the Pyrenees for many years
- Cultural and historical information shared informally during walks
Price does not include:
- Air travel
- Gratuities for your guide(s). A gratuity for your guide(s) is at your discretion, but the standard for a job well done is approximately $10 USD per person per guide per day.
- All beverages with dinner
- One dinner
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Spain
Archeology/History
Wildlife Viewing
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