As of the 12th July 2016, the Valle De Tena, which runs from the Col du Portalet on the French/Spanish border to Biescas, our home town, now boasts one of the longest double zip line (‘tirolina‘ in Spanish) in Europe.

Here in the Valle de Tena, with tourism being so crucial to the economics of the area, it’s great to see the additional of an activity suitable for most, so long as you have a good head for heights!

Location
The zip-line is situated right in the middle of the Valle De Tena, with the office based in the picturesque village of Hoz de Jaca (which you pass through on the first day of our Village to Village self guided walk).

The zip-line itself runs from the Mirador (viewpoint) de Hoz de Jaca, which sits high above the brilliantly blue Embalse de Bubal, and runs south, parallel to the road, over the reservoir, down to a purpose built platform.  From here, a minibus transports you back to the office in Hoz de Jaca.

Statistics and requirements
Cost per participant: €18 (2017 prices)
Starting altitude: 1270 m
Height loss: 115 m
Distance: 950 m
Maximum speed: 90km/h
Maximum height above the Embalse de Bubal: 120 m
Minimum weight of participants: 40 kg
Maximum weight of participants:  125kg
Minimum height of participants: 1.22 m

 

What exactly happens
You can reserve your date and timeslot on-line by visiting Tirolina Valle De Tena or by popping into the office, which is currently situated in the town hall (ayuntamiento) and is well sign posted.

Turn up  fifteen minutes before your timeslot in order to sign disclaimers and get kitted out in a helmet and purpose built sit-harness.  You will need to bring along your passport or ID card, which they will require as a deposit for the equipment.  Make sure that you have suitable footwear, and that your sunglasses aren’t too loose.

Walk 400m up to the viewpoint and start of the zip-line and wait to be called up to be fixed onto the line.  Once you’re hanging in your harness, which is surprisingly comfortable, the supervisor will give a short briefing, basically when you get close to the finish, hold on with your hands and bring your feet in, and then count down to begin.

Unos, dos, tres! And you’re away.

It’s pretty exhilarating to be sailing high above the blue reservoir with the wind rushing by!

A purpose built braking system will slow you down, before a supervisor brings out a step ladder to help you down. From here, once there are enough people to fill a van, you’ll need to carry your equipment and walk a short distance down to a waiting van, which will transport you back to the office in Hoz de Jaca.

Afterwards, why not visit the nearby Restaurante El Mirador for a well earned beer.

https://youtu.be/4vcZsVpQksI

Opening hours 2016
July & August: 10am-9pm every day
September: 10am-6pm every day
October: 11am-6pm every day
November: 11am-5pm weekends only
December: no information as yet.

When there is a full or new moon, the zip-line will be open for night time rides, from 10.30pm to 12.30am.

Links
Valle De Tena Tirolina Website
Facebook Page
Twitter Page