Saturday – Arrive in Biescas

Arrive in Biescas from Zaragoza late afternoon – we pick up from the train station and airport. Briefing to talk through the week and answer any questions you have.

Sunday – Ibon de Piedrafita

Heading up to Ibon de Piedrafita

Starting at the high village of Piedrafita, we get superb views right from the start. We climb through woodland, alongside mountain streams, until we come out into alpine meadows filled with flowers. The kilometre-high cliffs of the Sierra de Partacua tower above us. Here we find the little lake of Ibon de Piedrafita, nestled under the cliffs. Fantastic spot for raptors with Griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures, short-toed eagles, and kestrels regularly sighted. We hike through the meadows, under the cliffs before descending through the woods, completing a lovely circuit and first days hike.
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles). Ascent: +/- 352 m (1150 feet)

Lakes Ayous

Monday – Lacs Ayous

Today we explore the French side of the range, hiking along part of the Pyrenees long-distance train, the GR10, to the lovely lakes of Ayous. The views across the lakes to the iconic Pic du Midi d’Ossau are breathtaking. A fantastic variety through the day of forest, alpine meadows, lakes, and waterfalls, makes this a wonderful days hiking. and our guide David’s favourite route that we do. At the highest of the three lakes, there is a mountain refuge, where you can have a coffee before we head back down.
Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles). Ascent: +/-  550 m (1800 feet)

Tuesday – Aguas Limpias

Follow the Rio Aguas Limpias starting by the reservoir of La Sarra (where there’s a fantastic bar alongside the river – open high season only). The next section of the path is really beautiful as you follow a section of the GR11
through woods and meadows. The river runs alongside you with waterfalls and a narrow gorge to your right at one point.
It’s a there and back route so we can make it as long as you like but a good place to aim for is Llano Cheto where there’s a flat open meadow where you can sit alongside the bubbling stream, dipping your feet and having
lunch.
Distance: 8 km (5 miles). Ascent: +/-  300 m (990 feet)

The Rio Aguas Limpias

Wednesday – Rest day

Today is your rest day and a chance to learn about the rich history of the area. We visit Jaca, the original capital of Aragon where we’ll take a guided walking tour of the medieval old town, followed by some free time to look around and then a tapas lunch. On the way to Jaca, we visit a lovely 10th-century Romanesque church – the area is famous for these churches and this is one of the oldest and best preserved. Free evening in the village.

If you prefer, you can stay in the village of Sallent for the day, either relaxing with a coffee and tapas, visiting the spa, or going for a short walk.

Thursday – La Ripera

A lovely hike into the Valle de la Ripera. The path initially climbs fairly steeply through woods before opening on a 4×4 track that leads into the valley. The return journey is superb as you pass through terraced meadows with fantastic views over the valley.
Generally a fairly gentle walk with a couple of steeper sections as we leave and return to the village. The descent is a a little stony and slippery but only for a short section
Distance: 11.7 km (10.5 miles). Ascent: +/- 530 m (1740 feet)

Approaching the summit of Montaña del Verde

Friday – Punta del Pacino

A beautiful ascent through woodland and meadows to the peak of Punta del Pacino. You do almost a complete circuit of the mountain before ascending to the summit. Its position at the centre of the valley gives fabulous panoramic views of the Valle De Tena and you can see nearly all of the areas you’ve hiked in during your stay. A fitting end to a wonderful week hiking in the Pyrenees!
Distance: 14 km (8.7 miles). Ascent: +/- 750 m (2460 feet)

Saturday

Free morning in Biescas before your transfer to either Zaragoza train station or airport.

Lakes & Valleys

2025 Dates

Saturday 26 July – 2 August (fully booked)

Price

1699 € per person (based on two sharing a double or twin room).
199 € single supplement.

Included

7 nights accommodation at 2* Hotel Almud
Breakfast each morning
Picnic lunches each walking day
3 course evening meals each night included apart from the rest day when we visit Jaca for tapas
Meals taken at excellent village restaurants, all just a short walk from the hotel
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

Transfers are included from Zaragoza train station or airport. Ryan Air flies from London Stansted to Zaragoza. You can also travel via Barcelona or Madrid and catch the AVE high-speed fast train to Zaragoza Delicias where we will pick you up. The AVE is very comfortable and smooth. Travelling at nearly 300 km/h, the journey from either Barcelona or Madrid takes approximately 1 hr 40 mins and there are trains roughly every hour.

We offer two pick-up times from Zaragoza Delicias train station, 12:00 midday and 16:00 the drop off is the following Saturday at 11:45 am. If you can get to Zaragoza for the 12 midday transfer, this is recommended as you get to the Pyrenees in time to have lunch, a look around the village and allow time for a relaxed check-in and afternoon briefing.

12 Midday Arrival Transfer
Trains that fit well with our 12:00 transfer are:
RENFE trains – the traditional rail company
Depart Barcelona 10:00, arrive Zaragoza 11:42
Depart Madrid 10:30, arrive Zaragoza 11:44

Iryo trains – a new train service, very similar service to RENFE, website more user-friendly
Depart Barcelona 9:50, arrive Zaragoza 11:13
Depart Madrid 10:00, arrive Zaragoza 11:17

16:00 Arrival Transfer
Trains that fit well with our 16:00 transfer are:
from Barcelona
RENFE trains – Depart Barcelona 14:00, arrive Zaragoza 15:42
Iryo trains – Depart Barcelona 13:45, arrive Zaragoza 15:08
or from Madrid
RENFE trains – Depart Madrid 13:25, arrive Zaragoza 14:47
Iryo trains – Depart Madrid 14:45, arrive Zaragoza 16:02 (we will wait for you if you catch this train)

11:45 am Departure Transfer
RENFE train – Depart Zaragoza 12:37, arrive Barcelona 14:19
RENFE train – Depart Zaragoza 12:26, arrive Madrid 13:45

Please note train times can vary depending on the dates but these train times usually run every Saturday.

For more details of our transfers please see our getting here page. If you need help buying train tickets, please drop us an email and we can help.

There are direct flights from London Stansted to Zaragoza with Ryan Air, on Saturdays and our transfers are timed top meet this flight.

Saturday flight times are as follows:
Depart Stansted 11:50, arrive Zaragoza 15:05
Depart Zaragoza 15:40, arrive Stansted 16:45

Hotel Almud

You will stay in the family-run Hotel Almud in Sallent de Gállego – an ideal base from which to reach the higher reaches of the Valle de Tena. A small hotel with just 11 rooms all beautifully converted with en-suite bathrooms.

Three course evening meals are taken at various restaurants in the village which gives you a chance to try lots of the local dishes.  On the rest day we will visit Jaca for a walking tour and eat at one of the excellent restaurants or tapas bars. Read more about Hotel Almud.

Hotel Almud - Sallent de Gallego

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Frequently asked questions

Here’s feedback from guests on our Lakes & Valleys guided walking holiday. Thanks to everyone that has sent feedback – if you’ve not mailed us any comments yet please do and we’ll add them.

Phil, Juanma and David are excellent guides. Their combined knowledge of local flora and fauna, geography, history, geology and myths and legends id highly impressive.
Lydia, Lakes &Valleys, September 2019

This week was quite a mix because the other were stronger hikers. Also your brochure says “gentle walking” – none of the hikes were gentle! Guides were terrific. Hiking on rocky trails very tricky – and more eroded than I expected.
Helen, Lakes & Valleys, July 2019

Great holiday, great group. Well organized, friendly and knowledgeable. Very good at organizing walks to suit people at all levels. Well done!
Peter & Joy, Lakes & Valleys, July 2019

Our Lakes & Valleys holiday exceeded our expectations. We thoroughly enjoyed walking in the spectacular scenery of the Pyrenees. A visit to learn about the history of the Linea P and Jaca was added bonus. Many thanks for a wonderful holiday!
Val and David, Lakes and Valleys, June 2019

We went on an early season guided hike tour with dairly hikes from Biescas. Our expectations were definitely exceeded. We had lots of rain during the week, but Hike Pyrenees adjusted each day’s activity to find the best weather and to meet our interests and abilities. Our guide for the week – Olatz – was outstanding. This is a first-class operation in a beautiful part of Spain. Highly recommended.
Peter & Lisa, Lakes & Valleys, May 2018.

The most amazing experience! A breathtaking setting, knowledgeable staff and personal attention combine to make this an unbeatable hiking holiday.
Richard, Lakes & Valleys, September 2017.

We had a great week hiking in the Pyrenees with very knowledgeable guides.
Chris, Lakes & Valleys, September 2017.

We thoroughly enjoyed our “Lakes and Valleys” week with Hike Pyrenees. This was our first real hiking holiday and we were very impressed with the helpful and patient way the guides – Hannah, Ken and David treated us. Special thanks to Hannah on our first day for preparing us for the week and organising our rucksacks! The guides were very flexible and chose the right hikes for us after initially assessing our capabilities. Our evening with Phil in Jaca was another highlight of the week – tour and historical talk followed by vino and tapas in a festive atmosphere. Our holiday was organised in a very professional manner from the initial booking to the final drive back to Zaragoza airport. We hope to visit the spectacular Pyrenees again with Hike Pyrenees.
Christine & Colin, Lakes & Valleys, July 2017.

Helen and I had an excellent time in the Tena and Ordesa valleys on the guided Lakes and Valleys flowers week. Our guides, Hannah, Orlatz and Ken, made the trip most enjoyable with their knowledge and enthusiasm for the local flora. Thank you to all of you, including Rosa, Teresa and Anna back in the office in Biescas, for making everything work so smoothly. The weather was a little cooler and occasionally rainier than is perhaps usual for this time of year – but it made for excellent hiking – and the orchids were beautiful.
Helen & Steve, Lakes & Valleys, May 2017.

Our Wild Flower Walking holiday was extremely enjoyable.The specialist guide was extremely knowledgable and the Hike Pyrenees guides were also very knowledgable about the wild flowers, other wild life and geology.
David & Ann, Lakes & Valleys, May 2017.

A wonderful holiday! Stunning scenery and wildlife. Hike Pyrenees´ planning and attention to detail outstanding. Guides knowledge of the area invaluable. Thank you! Would love to come back again.
Sue, Lakes & Valleys, May 2017.

I have had such an amazing time. The scenery is stunning, the guides Phil and Hannah were knowledgeable and great leaders, making the whole trip fun. The organisation is first class. Thank you!
Penny, Lakes & Valleys, May 2017.