GR-11 lakes hike – part 1
Entering from the west for a multi-day walk is a great way to see the Catalan lakes. The route on the GR-11 – the long-distance footpath which crosses the entire Pyrenees mountain chain – requires a serious amount of effort, with views of epic proportions the main...
GR-11 lakes hike – part 2
Day 3 – Restanca to ColomersThis is a much shorter day, a welcome break for the legs. Despite the lack of length, spectacular mountain scenery abounds from start to finish, predictably with lots of lakes. Any day of walking which is spent entirely above 2,000 metres...
Pictures of Panticosa
I have fond memories of Panticosa, many of them from stays in the winter months. Although it is now a ski station, the village still has its ‘ancient’ core; a small area of magical old streets which nestle below towering summits. Sitting at home writing...
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
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
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
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
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
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
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...
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