Seeing Sallent

Seeing Sallent

Sallent de Gállego is one of the classic Pyrenees village/towns; it gets a mention alongside names such as Benasque, Torla and Bielsa. It is a historic settlement, positioned towards the top of the Tena valley at a height of 1,305 metres. The fantastically-named Aguas...
Valdelinares ravine route

Valdelinares ravine route

Following the GR-8 long-distance footpath towards Fortanete, our destination is the wide ravine – the Barranco de Zoticos; a spectacular work of nature with towering cliffs and verdant pine forest. The GR-8 runs along the side of the ravine on a wide strip of land...
Ordesa and Monte Perdido

Ordesa and Monte Perdido

Some of the most incredible scenery in Spain lies in and around the Ordesa y Monte Perdido national park. The protected natural space measures some 89,000 hectares and the area includes the Bujaruelo valley; the monumental canyons of Ordesa and Añisclo; Roland’s...
Cantavieja calling

Cantavieja calling

The final destination in the Maestrazgo of Teruel province – land of the Templars and the truffle – is Cantavieja. With regards to that last statement, bear in mind that by and large you have more chance of seeing a truffle here than a charging knight on a trusty...
Walking the canyon wall

Walking the canyon wall

This route takes the ‘high road’ to the Góriz mountain refuge, heading along the top of the Ordesa canyon wall. It could be a day walk, picking a point to turn back to Torla, while enjoying the incredible views over the canyon. Or, a stay at Góriz would...
From Góriz to Añisclo

From Góriz to Añisclo

After overnighting at the Góriz mountain refuge – be it in a tent outside, or on a bunk inside – there are mouthwatering possibilities to choose from; after breakfast has been consumed, of course. Three of them are shown on a signpost, a photo of which appears on the...
Bujaruelo is best

Bujaruelo is best

No trip to the Torla-Ordesa area would be complete without a foray into the Bujaruelo valley. It is home to my favourite camping ground in Spain, on the banks of the River Ara at San Nicolás de Bujaruelo, where there is also a walkers’ hostel made of Pyrenean...
The GR-11 to Torla

The GR-11 to Torla

The route to Torla from San Nicolás de Bujaruelo is mostly on the GR-11. It’s an undulating path, following the River Ara, passing below the high walls of two gorges, first the Garganta de Bujaruelo and then the Garganta de los Navarros. After Navarros, the...
Back to Bielsa

Back to Bielsa

Bielsa is situated at the end of the Pineta valley, which was gouged out during the last ice age; wide, green and with soaring peaks on either side, the River Cinca flows down its centre to the Pineta reservoir. At its head is the Pineta Cirque. Here waterfalls tumble...
Happy as Larri; the waterfall walk

Happy as Larri; the waterfall walk

This is a short, circular walk from the top end of the Pineta valley which offers captivating views of Monte Perdido (3,355 metres) and its glacier. The vantage point can be found after climbing to La Larri, a flat area of pastureland where horses and cows graze in...
On high in the Chistau valley

On high in the Chistau valley

The Chistau valley (also known as Gistau) is dominated by the 3,000-metre summits of the imposing Posets massif. The area is replete with footpaths which lead to glacial lakes, mountain passes and peaks. Many of them follow wonderful streams which offer the...
On the GR-11 to the Chistau valley

On the GR-11 to the Chistau valley

Anyone using public transport to get to Bielsa, and those who prefer to park up in the village, will need to walk a stage of the GR-11 trans-Pyrenean footpath to get to the Chistau valley. It is always a joy to get onto the GR-11 and this is a good opportunity to see...