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A World Heritage Site Hike: The French and Spanish Pyrenees

The Meridian Way: Self-Guided Hike in the French Pyrenees

Peaks and Valleys: Self-Guided Hike in the French Pyrenees

The Hidden Spanish Pyrenees : Sierra de Guara

Private Guided Departures Available April, May, June, September and October

Trip Overview

This trip will take place in the Natural Park of the Sierra de Guara, an area known for its gorges, beautiful hills, and history.  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.  We’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.

Our base for the week is a comfortable, tasteful and friendly hotel, a converted village notable's house, 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.

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

Rating

Moderate.  Participants must be comfortable walking on trails that are sometimes rocky and narrow and steep in places.  You must be able to walk 8 – 9 miles with daily climbs averaging 1800 feet.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 :  Barcelona - Alquezer

Your guide will greet you at 1:00 p.m. at the Barcelona, Spain Airport for the three hour transfer to Alquezar by private van. The drive skirts the foothills of the Catalan Pyrenees and enters Aragon.  Depending upon our arrival time, we’ll have a chance to relax and stretch our legs on a short warm-up walk while exploring the medieval streets of Alquezar late 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.  

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.  (Your guide also has a fine selection that he has graciously agreed to share.)  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

Further to the west today, from the reservoir of Vadiello with its strange puddingstone landscapesof huge needles and towers, we’ll hike an easy circuit via the abandoned monastery of San Cosme and the hermitage of San Fabian via “la Fuenta Santa” or Holy Spring and a series of small chapels still visited in the annual “Romeria” pilgrimage.  The scenery is a wild mix of pudding conglomerate and rugged limestone, but the walking is always relaxing.  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, some of which are schematic and some of which represent game.  Although these are not as famous as “Lascaux” or “Altamira” (other cave painting sites) the atmosphere and the locations are magic.  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 beautiful 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 drive about an hour to 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 :  Barcelona

Transfer back to the Barcelona Airport 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, weather or the group’s experience level. We may alter the itinerary to improve the tour and your experience, and to customize it to your group’s needs.

Transportation

Private van

Meeting Point and Time

1:00 p.m. on Day 1at Barcelona, Spain Airport.

Departure

After breakfast on Day 8 we will return to the Barcelona Airport, arriving at approximately noon.

Included in Price

• Double room accommodations in a charming hotel.  Single rooms available with a 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 Barcelona Airport
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner, except one dinner, which will be on your own.  Breakfast is a highlight in the hotel, including local specialties and fresh produce.  Lunch will consist  of great picnics prepared by the hotel.  We’ll enjoy dinner out each night, trying out two or three of Alquezar’s charming restaurants.
• 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

Pre- and Post-Trip Extension

If you wish to arrive before October 12 or stay after October 19, please let us know.  We would be happy to plan an extension for you to Barcelona, Pamplona or Bilbao.

For Questions or to Design Your Custom Trip

Please contact Deborah Lewis at 866-533-4361 (toll free in the U.S.), 203-840-0295 or dlewis@bredeson.com.

We hope you'll join us on this grand adventure!

Contact us toll free (U.S.) at 866-533-4361 or

+203-840-0295 (outside the U.S.)

info@bredeson.com