Alto Aragon: The Spanish Pyrenees

Bielsa is the 'gateway' to the region, it is not the easiest place to get to, so if you are using public transport, we will arrange an included transfer from the end of the SNCF train /bus route in France at St. Lary. Here a taxi to take you through the Bielsa Tunnel into Spain. The travel is reversed at the end of the tour. We need to know your arrival and departure times in St. Lary when we set up this included transfer. These details can be gained from the SNCF website.
Depending on your time of arrival there should be an opportunity to explore the town. This is a charming mountain village, which lies at an altitude of 1024m and is surrounded by mountains, many of which reach 3000m. Situated at the confluence of the Barrosa and Cinca rivers, it is built upon glacial moraines at the entrance of the Pineta 'U' shaped valley. Bielsa was heavily bombed in the Spanish Civil War in 1938, as the Republican Army escaped up the valley into France. This explains why the town is a bit of a hotch-pot of building styles. Nevertheless there is an interesting square and a church, which amazingly survived the bombing. This small town has bars, several supermarkets, a pharmacy, and a tourist information office.
Accommodation: Our 3 star hotel is a large modern building just below the old town. All rooms are ensuite and very comfortable. There is a great restaurant and bar, the dinner is well prepared, and includes a local wine.

Features of the day include fine views of the Valley of Pineta, forest tracks, open Alpine meadows, a mountain pass at 2060m called ‘El Portillo de Tella.’ Good bird viewing potential and maybe chamois. You then descend to the pretty village of Tella famous for its witches and an ancient dolmen (neolithic burial chamber). The day ends with a descent into the Cinca valley and your guesthouse at Hospital de Tella. Total Ascent 1200m, descent 1540m.
Accommodation: Two nights are spent at a small family-run guesthouse and restaurant on the banks of the river Cinca at Hospital de Tella. There is a terrace and a bar with a vaulted ceiling. There are 4 twin-bedded rooms with en suite facilities and 2 rooms without private facilities.

The route follows the River Yaga, passing through the almost abandoned hamlet of Estamilla and into a very rich natural habitat with a wide variety of vegetation. The table topped mountain of Castillo Mayor commands the view to the south, while Monte Perdido and the Tres Marias are a short distance to the north. Escuain is a pretty village with a few people working on the land. There are some attractive old buildings and a little tourist information, which has details about the Lammergeyers who inhabit the area. You will be picked up at Escuain around 5.00 pm to return to Hospital. Total Ascent 750m, descent 300m.

Start the day with a transfer to Bestue (1220 metres). This is another old village, which is slowly being done up and relived in for at least part of the year. This is a day of ups and downs until you reach Nerin, as you go crossing the fantastic Anisclo Canyon, which has a long spanned medieval parabolic stone bridge. On this walk at certain points you may look down upon Lammergeyers, Griffon Vultures or Peregrines flying below you. The last part of the day is the ascent to Nerin (1281m) and from the village looking back down the valley you can get nice alpenglow views of Castillo Mayor. Total ascent 1120m, descent 1105m.
Accommodation : This 2* stone wall hotel is in a superb location, with outstanding views of the surrounding mountains. The rooms are comfortable and have ensuite facilities.There is a bar, and the restaurant serves good local food.

We provide a car transfer from Nerin to Buerba (8 km/5 miles). We do recommend that you consider taking a taxi from the small town of Boltana to reduce the walk and give you more time in Ainsa. Before you start today's walk, you may wish to visit the interesting church in Buerba. You cross a remote mountain region, which has many signs of rural depopulation, such as abandoned terraces, chapels and hamlets. The walk is mostly descent, but with a quite steep uphill walk to the pass called ‘El Portillo de los Valles’ and then on a broad forest track descending to Boltana (643m), which has a precarious ruined castle. There are alternative paths along the valley for the last 8 km/5 miles to Ainsa (589m), should you wish to continue the walk that is reasonably pleasant alongside the river Ara. Ainsa is a major small town with a number of services and tourist shops. The main attraction is the old upper town, which is walled and has a main square and a few old streets leading off it. There are many restaurants on the square to try different dishes. Beyond this there is an old fortress, which has a wall walkway from where if it is clear you can see a panorama stretching back to Monte Perdido and the French border. Listen out for Nightingales and Warblers in June! Another good viewpoint is that from the other side of the River Cinca where if you cross the bridge, you will get a good view back to the upper town. Total ascent 535m, descent 1030m.
Accommodation: We stay in a 3 star hotel of traditional Aragonese style, located in a small cobbled street in the old town up on the hill. All rooms are ensuite.

A day following the Cinca valley, passing through several villages and along forested slopes above the river. The towering walls Pena Montanesa provide an impressive backdrop as you go. The final 10 km/6.2 miles you follow the Cinca bankside path until you reach the hydroelectric village of La Fortunada where you will stay for the night. There is also a hamlet called Badain across the river, which has an interesting church you can ascend to. Total ascent 780m, descent 600m. Accommodation: A cosy, small, family run hotel right in the heart of La Fortunada.

You will start your day with a transfer from La Fortunada to Plan, from here you will then walk over the mountains to Bielsa. A shorter option is possible via Sin, saving about 2 hours from the start of the walk. The Walks take you along terrace margins and through little villages before climbing through the pastures, which get progressively alpine with good groups of flower including narcissi, columbines and primulas / cowslips. You cross a mountain pass at 2116m called 'Crus de la Guardia' and then descend exploring wild forests and hidden valleys, until you turn out of the valley and there is Bielsa in the distance. Reach the hotel and you have completed the circuit! Total ascent 1300m/descent 1400m.

After breakfast depart Bielsa for your onward journey. There is an included transfer back through the Bielsa tunnel into France and the village of St.Lary.