Itinerary

The lower-level walks are taken at a more relaxed pace, with plenty of time to stop, enjoy the views, take photographs and look out for wildlife. They are generally around 8–12 km, with approximately 300–500 metres of ascent.

The higher-level walks are longer and more demanding, often on steeper and rougher mountain paths. They are generally around 11–16 km, with approximately 650–1,575 metres of ascent. Some of the distances are not especially long, but routes such as Peña Montañesa are steep and physically demanding.

This is a sample itinerary. The exact walks may change depending on weather, trail conditions and the preferences of the group. Each walking day we offer two guided options, and you can switch between them during the week.

Day 1 – Arrival in Aínsa

Pick-up from Zaragoza Airport or Zaragoza-Delicias train station and transfer to Aínsa. On arrival we’ll have a briefing about the week ahead, followed by our evening meal.

Day 2 – Samitier and Entremón

Lower-level option: Samitier and Entremón Gorge

Beginning in the village of Samitier, we skirt around the lower slopes rather than climbing to the hilltop. We pass the ruins of the medieval church of San Salvador before heading into the narrow Entremón Gorge, with its cliffs rising above us. The route finishes beside the reservoir, where, when water levels are low enough, the top of a church tower from a submerged village can sometimes still be seen.

Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles) · Ascent: 550 m (1,805 ft)

Higher-level option: Samitier Castle and Entremón Gorge

We begin by climbing to the Romanesque church and medieval defensive tower of Samitier, perched dramatically above the Entremón Gorge. From there we descend towards the gorge itself, eventually walking beneath the cliffs and looking back up towards the hilltop where we stood earlier in the day. The route ends beside the reservoir.

Distance: 13.5 km (8.4 miles) · Ascent: 850 m (2,789 ft)

Day 3 – Garganta de Escuaín

The Garganta de Escuaín is the smallest of the national park’s four main valleys, but it is one of the best places in the Pyrenees to look for bearded vultures.

Lower-level option: Revilla Viewpoints and Tella

Today’s lower-level option is split into two shorter walks. In the morning we visit the viewpoints above the Garganta de Escuaín, one of the best places in the area to look for the rare bearded vulture. In the afternoon we walk a circular route around the medieval hermitages of Tella, which occupy a superb hilltop position with extensive views over the surrounding mountains.

Revilla: 5 km · 380 m ascent
Tella: 2.5 km · 100 m ascent

Higher-level option: Revilla to Escuaín

The route starts by passing the viewpoints of Revilla before continuing along the northern side of the Garganta de Escuaín. At the head of the valley we cross the gorge and return along the southern side towards Escuaín, with excellent chances of seeing bearded vultures during the day.

Distance: 12.5 km (7.8 miles) · Ascent: 950 m (3,117 ft)

Day 4 – Añisclo Canyon and Sestrales

Añisclo is the deepest canyon in the national park. Today’s walks explore either the wooded floor of the canyon or the high peak of Sestrales, which rises directly above it.

Lower-level option: Añisclo Canyon

The route follows the Río Bellós through beautiful beech and pine woods, passing an old flour mill once powered by the river. We continue beneath the huge canyon walls to the spring and clearing of Cumáz, a lovely place for a picnic and our turning point. On the return we pass the rock shrine of San Úrbez, a church built into a cave.

Distance: 8 km (5 miles) · Ascent: 350 m (1,148 ft)

Higher-level option: Sestrales (2,101 m)

The higher route tackles the peak of Sestrales, from where the views drop dramatically towards the canyon floor far below. We use a 4x4 track to gain height and start close to the rim of the canyon, passing several superb viewpoints before climbing to the summit.

Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles) · Ascent: 650 m (2,133 ft)

Day 5 – Vultures, Rest and Aínsa

In the morning we visit a vulture feeding station for one of the most memorable wildlife experiences of the week. We’ll learn about the vultures of the Pyrenees, their life cycle and the threats they face, before watching the feeding itself, when large numbers of birds may gather.

In the afternoon we have a guided walking tour of Aínsa’s old town. There is also the option to visit the Eco-Museo, which focuses on the wildlife of the area and includes a raptor rescue centre, or the geology museum, which explains the formation and geology of the Pyrenees. There is usually time to visit both if you wish. Museum entrance is not included.

Day 6 – Pineta Valley

The Pineta Valley is one of the most dramatic glacial valleys in the national park, with huge cliffs rising above the valley floor.

Lower-level option: Llanos de Larri

Starting at the head of the Pineta Valley, we climb past a series of waterfalls to the hanging valley of Llanos de Larri. From here there are superb views towards Monte Perdido, and we continue through open meadows to the Salto de Lalarri waterfall at the head of the valley.

Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles) · Ascent: 460 m (1,509 ft)

Higher-level option: Pineta Ridge and Llanos de Larri

This is a superb higher-level route following the broad ridge on the northern side of the valley. After a steeper initial climb, we follow the ridge with magnificent views towards the north face of Monte Perdido and a chain of three-thousand-metre peaks. We then descend into the Llanos de Larri and continue past waterfalls to the valley floor.

Distance: 14 km (8.7 miles) · Ascent: 1,100 m (3,609 ft)

Day 7 – Peña Montañesa

Peña Montañesa rises just north of Aínsa, and its huge limestone cliffs form a constant backdrop during the week. Today both routes explore this impressive massif.

Lower-level option: Oncins and the Peña Montañesa Cliffs

Starting in the tiny hamlet of Oncins, we follow a beautiful path through woodland and beneath the cliffs of Peña Montañesa. There are excellent views back towards Aínsa and across the surrounding valleys, while the limestone walls rise dramatically above us.

Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles) · Ascent: 600 m (1,969 ft)

Higher-level option: Peña Montañesa (2,295 m)

The higher-level route tackles the summit itself. Starting near the ancient monastery of San Victorián, we climb through a break in the limestone cliffs to reach the higher ground above. From there the route continues through a wild limestone landscape towards the summit. Although the mountain is not one of the highest in the Pyrenees, the terrain feels wonderfully alpine, and the summit views extend across the Ordesa peaks and towards the French border.

Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles) · Ascent: 1,575 m (5,167 ft)

Day 8 – Departure

After breakfast we leave Aínsa for the return transfer to Zaragoza Airport or Zaragoza-Delicias train station.