Itinerary

During the week we visit several of the most beautiful areas in the region, each with their own charm. This is a sample itinerary – the exact routes will depend on the weather and what the group would like to achieve. Each day we offer a choice of two guided hikes – a longer and a shorter option. Each day you can decide which walk to join and it’s no problem to switch between the options during the week.

The shorter hikes are at a relaxed pace, with plenty of time to stop and take in the views, take photographs and enjoy the nature.

Expect to hike between 8 to 12 km (5 to 7.5 miles) and climb 300 to 500 metres (1000 – 1600 ft) during the day. Paths are generally good underfoot with only a few short steeper sections.

The longer hikes are on steeper rougher paths and venture into high-mountain, more alpine terrain. Hikes are between 13 to 16 km (8 to 13.5 miles) with between 700 to 1500 metres (2300 to 3850 ft) of ascent each day. The distances aren't too long on this trip, but a coupel of the routes (particularly Peña Montañesa) are pretty steep.

We’ve included the routes, distances and ascents that we expect to do, but please bear in mind that the itinerary is flexible and may change due to weather or conditions. On some routes, there is a range of distances due to there being different options – usually the guide will decide during the day which option you’ll do depending on how the group is doing.

Sunday - Ainsa

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

Monday - Samitier and Entremón

Beginning in the village of Samitier, the easier route for today skirts around the bottom of the hill, rather than climbing up to the top like the longer route. We pass the ruins of the medieval church of San Salvador, before heading into the gorge of Entremon with the cliffs towering above us. We end by skirting around the banks of the reservoir. If the water levels are right, we should see the top of a church tower belonging to a now submerged village, poking out from the water.
Distance 12km, ascent 550 metres

We begin by climbing up to the exquisite Romanesque church and medieval defensive tower of Samitier that perches high above the gorge of Entremón. We gradually descend to the narrow steep sided gorge which we pass through gazing up to the church above where we were a few hours ago. We end by skirting around the banks of the reservoir. If the water levels are right, we should see the top of a church tower belonging to a now submerged village, poking out from the water.
Distance 13.5 km, 850 metres ascent.

Tuesday -Garganta de Escuain

The smallest of the parks four valleys, the appeal of the Garganta de Escuain isn't its depth but the many bearded vultures that live in the area. It's by far the best place to catch a glimpse of Europe's rarest vulture.

Shorter route: Miradors of Revilla & Tella
Today's we'll split the hikes into a morning and afternoon route. Both are short routes but absolutely beautiful with stunning views. In the morning our route gives us spectacular views into the Garganta Escuain from the Miradors of Revilla - an excellent place to spot the rare bone eating Bearded Vulture. In the afternoon we’ll do a circular route around the medieval hermitages of Tella, perched up on a hill, all of which have wonderful views over the surrounding mountains.
Revilla: Distance 5 km, 380 m ascent
Tella: Distance 2.5 km, 100 m ascent

Longer route: Revilla to Escuain
The route starts by passing the miradors of Revilla. From these lovely viewpoints, we continue on a path along the northern side of the Garganta de Escuain until the head of the valley. Here we cross a bridge over the narrow gorge and the hike back along the southern side of the valley to Escuain. Excellent chance of seeing bearded vultures.
Distance: 12.5 km, ascent 950 metres

Wednesday - the Añisclo Canyon and Sestrales (2101m)

Añisclo is the deepest canyon in the National Park, some say the deepest in Europe.  Today's routes explore either the floor of the canyon, or the high peak of Sestrales that sits right on its rim.

The route along the Añisclo valley floor starts by taking us past an old flour mill using the rushing river as a power source. We head up through beautiful beech and pine woods, following the route of the Rio Bellos, all the time marvelling at the high cliffs above us. A spring an clearing called Cumáz is a lovely to place to have a picnic and marks our turn around point. We head back a slightly different way, passing the rock shrine of San Urbez - a church built into a cave.
Distance: 8 km, ascent 350 metres

The longer option tackles the peak of Sestrales (2101 metres) from which we get dizzying views of the canyon floor over a kilometre below. The day starts by taking the van up a 4x4 track to a high car park giving us easy access to the rim of the canyon. We pass by several lovely viewpoints before heading up to the summit, which although steep is no more than a grassy slope to the top for jaw-dropping views to the canyon below.
Distance: 12 km, ascent 650 metres

Thursday - Rest and cultural day

In the morning we’ll visit the Eco Museo to learn more about the wildlife of the area, have a talk on the bearded vulture conservation program and visit the raptor rescue centre. This will be followed by a guided tour of the old town and the 11th century church along with free time to rest and relax.

Friday - Pineta Valley

One of the deepest in the National Park, the Pineta Valley is a spectacular kilometre deep glacial canyon. The shorter route starts at the end of the Valle de Pineta and climbs up past a series of lovely waterfalls to the beautiful hanging valley of Llanos de Larri. Here we get wonderful views back to Monte Perdido and walk through meadows to the waterfall of Salto de Lalarri at the end of the valley.
Distance: 10km, 460 metres ascent

The longer option is a fantastic route following the high broad ridge on the north side of the valley. We start with a steepish climb up to the ridge, which we then follow with magnificent views of the north face of Monte Perdido and a string of three thousand metre peaks. At the end of the ridge we descend into the Llanos de Larri and continue down past waterfalls to the end of the Pineta valley. A stunning day!
Distance: 14 km, 1100 m ascent

Saturday - Peña Montañesa (2295 metres)

Peña Montañesa lies just north of Ainsa and its high limestone cliffs are a constant backdrop during your stay here. Today both routes explore this fantastic massif.

The easier option starts in the tiny hamlet of Oncins and takes a beautiful path through the woods, under and around the cliffs. We get wonderful views down to Ainsa, across to the peaks to the west and of the cliffs towering above us.
Distance 11 km, 600 metres ascent

The longer route tackles the summit itself! Starting from the ancient monastery of San Victorian, our path takes us up through a less vertical section of the cliffs to the higher ground that lies above. We continue to climb, but not too steeply, through a wonderful limestone landscape. For a mountain that is not that high, you really get a feeling of being in high alpine terrain. The views are great all the way, but at the summit they are truly spectacular with huge views across to peaks of the Ordesa National Park and along the border with France.
Distance: 11 km, 1575 metres ascent (short but steep!)

Sunday - Ainsa and departure

Morning departure from Ainsa for your transfer back to Zaragoza airport or train station.

Canyons of Ainsa Dates & Prices

2026

10 - 17 May 2026

Price

1899 € per person (based on two sharing a double or twin room)
155 € single room supplement
301 € double room with balcony for individual use

Included

7 nights accommodation in Hotel Sánchez.
Breakfast each morning.
Picnic lunches each walking day.
3 course evening meals each night, taken at hotel restaurant, some days we'll go to local restaurants in the village.
Transfers to and from either Zaragoza airport or train station.
Transport to the walks each day.

Not included

Flights, insurance, drinks with evening meal and lunch on the rest day

Getting to the Pyrenees

From the UK

There are direct flights from London Stansted to Zaragoza. You can also fly to Barcelona or Madrid and can catch the AVE fast train to Zaragoza. We pick up at both the train station and the airport.

From outside Europe

Most of our guests from outside of Europe fly via Barcelona or Madrid, combing a stay in one of these two excellent cities with their walking holiday. From either city there are excellent rail links to Zaragoza.

See more travel options and details on our getting here page.

Hotel Sánchez

You’ll spend the week in the welcoming Hotel Sánchez, a comfortable, family-run hotel located in the heart of Aínsa. Perfectly placed for exploring both Ordesa National Park and the canyons of the Sierra de Guara, it offers an excellent base for a week of varied walking.

The hotel has bright, modern rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. The double rooms are all with balconies and for the single rooms you can choose either a stndard room or one with a balcony (supplements are different price). Rooms are spacious and peaceful – ideal for relaxing after a day on the trails. The hotel is known for its warm atmosphere and friendly service, and our guests are always made to feel at home.

There is an excellent restaurant within the hotel serving good local Aragonese dishes, along with a café-bar and a pleasant outdoor terrace for an evening drink. Breakfast is served buffet-style, with plenty of options to set you up for the day’s walk.

Hotel Sánchez is just a short stroll from Aínsa’s beautifully preserved medieval old town, with its impressive castle and cobbled square overlooking the Pyrenees. It’s a lovely place to wander in the early evening or to enjoy a post-walk drink.

The hotel also offers facilities especially useful for walkers, including on-site parking, lift access and secure storage for bikes and equipment. Its central location means we can easily reach the surrounding valleys, canyons and high viewpoints that make this holiday so special.

Comfortable, friendly and ideally situated, Hotel Sánchez is the perfect base from which to discover the dramatic landscapes of Ordesa and the canyons.

Canyons of Ainsa

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