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 9 to 14 km (5.5 to 8.5 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 more high mountain, alpine terrain. Hikes are between 13 to 20 km (8 to 13.5 miles) with between 700 to 1200 metres (2300 to 3900 ft) of ascent each day.

We’ve included the distances, ascents and highest altitude reached for each hike. 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.

Saturday – Arrival in Biescas

Arrive in Biescas from Zaragoza – we pick up at either Zaragoza train station (regular trains from Madrid or Barcelona) or Zaragoza airport for the flight from London Stansted. Short briefing to talk through the week and answer any questions you have followed by the evening meal at Tiki’s excellent restaurant in the village.

Sunday

Low level: 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, and under the cliffs before descending through the woods, completing a lovely circuit and first days hike.
Distance: 10km (6 miles), 330 metres ascent (1000) feet). Highest altitude 1600 metres (5250 feet)

High level: 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 – from here we can point out nearly all of the areas you’ll be hiking in for the rest of your holiday. View photo’s, a video and trip report of the Punta del Pacino hike. A fantastic route for orchids in early summer when we’ll see hundreds along the path.
Distance: 12km – 15km (7 ½ – 9 miles), ascent: 600 to 800 m (2000 – 2600 feet). Highest altitude 1965 m (6400 feet)

Monday

Today we head to the French side of the range to hike in the Lacs Ayous region in the French Pyrenees National Park.

Low level: Refuge d’Ayous
Starting in lovely beech woods following the famous GR10 trans-Pyrenean path. The route gradually climbs until we leave the woods, entering the alpine meadows above. Here we find the Lacs Ayous – a lovely set of lakes with fantastic views towards the famous peak of Pic du Midi d’Ossau.
Distance: 11km (5 miles), ascent: +/- 550 m (1400 feet). Highest altitude 1845 m (6050 feet)

High Level: Pic d’Ayous (2288 metres)
The longer route also starts in the woods and follows the GR10 up to the Lacs Ayous. From the lakes, we keep heading up, passing the refuge of Ayous and continuing up to the peak of Ayous above. From here we get fantastic views down on the the lakes of Ayous, across to Pic du Midi d’Ossau and dozens of other peaks
Distance: 14 km (8.7 miles), ascent: +/- 900 m (2000 – 2800 feet). Highest altitude 2288 m (7500 feet)

Tuesday

Low level: Llano Cheto
Follow the Rio Aguas Limpias starting by the reservoir of La Sarra you’ll 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.
Distance: 8 km (5 miles), ascent: +/- 250 m (820 feet), highest altitude 1670 m (5500 feet)

High level: Ibones de Arriel
This route also begins by following the GR11 alongside the Ría Aguas Limpias. However, you turn off the main path and head uphill steeply to the Ibones de Arriel where you find some of the most beautiful lake landscapes in the Pyrenees. The four lakes, lying at different heights, are surrounded by steep granite peaks with Pico Palas taking pride of place. From the lakes, we take a contouring path with stunning views around to the Embalse de Respomuso and then head back along the GR11 – a long but fantastic days hiking!
Distance: 16.5 km (10.2 miles), ascent: +/- 900 m (2950 feet), highest altitude 2250 m (7400 feet)

Wednesday: Rest day – Jaca historical walking tour

Today we rest our legs and spend some time learning about the fascinating history of the area. After a relaxed start, we’ll first visit the 10th-century Romanesque church of San Juan de la Busa. Then we’ll head to Jaca, which was the first capital of Aragon when it was formed in 1035. We’ll have a guided walking tour of the old town, visiting the 11th-century cathedral and the 16th-century pentagonal citadel – the first castle constructed in Spain to defend against cannon fire. Our visit to Jaca will finish with a tapas lunch before returning to Biescas where you can have a swim in the hotel’s pool, relax in the sauna or explore the village.

Thursday

Low level: Ibones de Anayet
Ibon de Anayet is beautifully set on a high peat meadow, surrounded by red rocked mountains and views to the north of Pic du Midi d’Ossau.
Distance: 10.4 km (6.5 miles), ascent: +/- 650 m (2100 feet).

High level: Vertice de Anayet (2542m)
Set on a high plateau of peaty grasslands we find the Ibon de Anayet. From here we have several choices. We can either relax with a picnic and take in the magnificent views. Alternatively, we can carry on up and tackle Vertice de Anayet – a fantastic high peak made from a beautiful red rock.
Distance: 14.5 km (9 miles), ascent: +/- 1040 m (3410 feet). Highest altitude 2542 m (8340 feet)

Friday

Low level: Rincón del Verde
Starting at the village of Panticosa, we follow a mountain stream along a lovely gorge and head into the Valle de La Ripera. It’s a great place to see marmots, birds of prey and the local Hispanica-Breton horses which roam the mountains during the summer. At the head of the valley lies the Rincon del Verde where sheer 700m cliffs rise above you.
Distance: 10 km – 14 km (6 – 9 miles), ascent: +/- 500 m (1640 feet). Highest altitude 1600 m (5250 feet)

High level: Ibones Azules
A fitting finale to a great week of hiking. Today our route starts from the high road head at the spa of Balneario de Panticosa. We’ll ascend steeply up to a couple of small mountain lakes before traversing around to the larger reservoir of Bachimaña and continuing heading up to the lovely Ibones de Azules – two beautiful lakes with a distinctive blue colour. We return by a different route, following the GR11 path once again. This area is rugged, alpine, and beautiful!
Distance: 10 km – 19 km (6 – 12 miles), ascent: +/- 600 – 1100 m (2000 – 3600 feet). Highest altitude 2380 m (7800 feet)

Saturday

Breakfast and free morning in Biescas. Transfer to either Zaragoza train station or the airport for the afternoon flight to London Stansted.

Valle de Tena Explorer

2025 Dates

Saturday 19 – 26 July
Saturday 6 – 13 September

Price

1699 € per person (based on two sharing a double or twin room)
169 € single room supplement
115 € premium room upgrade (bigger room, most with private terrace) – per person for 7 nights
195 € junior suite upgrade – per person for 7 nights (225 € for the 20 – 27 July dates)

Included

7 nights in 4* Hotel Tierra de Biescas
Breakfasts every morning
Picnic lunches each walking day
3-course evening meals in local restaurants each night apart from the rest day
Transfers to and from either Zaragoza airport or train station.
Transport to the walks each day and to Jaca on the rest day.

Not included

Flights, insurance, drinks with the evening meals, lunch and evening meal 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

4* Hotel Tierra de Biescas

The four star Hotel Tierra de Biescas is in the heart of the old village, set in lovely grounds with an indoor and outdoor pool.

Each of it’s 51 stylishly furnished rooms have an en-suite bathroom. It has a bar, lounge area with sofa’s, a restaurant and gardens with loungers and tables.

Each morning a breakfast buffet is served with cooked and continental options. Three course evening meals are taken at local restaurants in Biescas each night with a choice of starters, main courses and dessert. Please note wine is not included.

Guests can relax in the the hotel’s spa facilities which include a small indoor swimming pool and sauna. A full range of massage treatments are available. In July and August the outdoor swimming pool is open.

Read more about Hotel Tierra de Biescas.

Hotel Tierra de Biescas - Garden

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Here’s feedback from guests on our Valle de Tena Explorer 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.

The whole experience from booking onwards was a high standard. Excellent guides who were friendly, flexible and informative. A great variety of hikes. A well run operation.
Di, Valle de Tena Explorer, August 2019

Memories are made doing amazing things with great people. Thanks for the wonderful memories.
Maggie & Scott, Valle de Tena Explorer, July 2019

Exceptional in every way. Guides knowledgeable, accommodating and friendly. The little touches such as cold drinks at the end of hike were brilliant. From start to finish, it couldn’t be better.
Kristie, Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2019

I had a fantastic holiday with Hike Pyrenees. Super well organized, great hotel, food was superb – but most of all an amazing area shown off to its best by wonderful local guides who were fun, friendly and so knowledgeable. A great experience – highly recommended.
Lynne, Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2019

This was our first hike with Hike Pyrenees and thoroughly enjoyed the variety of walks and great attention from guides, will recommend without hesitation.
Jim & Peggy, Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2019

I stumbled upon (pun intended) Hike Pyrenees when I had a few unplanned days in Spain. Booked last minute and I was so pleased! Guides did an amazing job meeting the needs of our very diverse group!
Julie, Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2019

Having been a veteran of other holiday companies, this one rated excellent. The walking did not disappoint and exceeded our expectations. The guides, the weather and area combined to make this a very memorable experience – one I would like to repeat in the very near future.
Sarah & Dave, Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2019

Juanma and David were wonderful guides. They were friendly and helpful and very knowledgeable about the flora, fauna and geology of the area. The whole Hike Pyrenees team was welcoming and professional, and well organized. I hope very much to come on another holiday with them.
Wendy, Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2019

Nothing was to much trouble, the guides were excellent and the walks stunning. I will return.
Trisha, Valle de Tena Explorer, Septiembre 2018.

This was my 2nd trip with Hike Pyrenees and again it was nothing short of amazing. David & Juanma are terrific guides – professional, knowledgeable, fun and always working to accommodate the needs of the whole group. I’d love to do another Hike Pyrenees tour if I return to Spain in future!
Samantha, Valle de Tena Explorer, September 2018.

I’d recommend this trip to both experienced + inexperienced hikers. The guides are knowledgeable, experenced + made me smile often. I just felt happy for the entire tour.
Leah, Valle de Tena Explorer, September 2018.

Met my expectations and so much more. Guides lovely, local and so knowledgeable. Scenery stunning, hotel beautiful. An excellent week which I would highly recommended.
Anna, Valle de Tena Explorer, September 2018.

Fantastic experience!!! Beautiful Pyrenees shown to us by marvelous guides!!! We were taken care of, every step of our journey!!!
Dave & Bev, Valle de Tena Explorer, August 2018.

I was quite a lot younger than the other participants but this didn’t stop me / us from having a challenging + enjoyable hiking experience.
Jo, Valle de Tena Explorer, July 2018.

The Hike Pyrenees team has provided a wonderful experience for me. I stayed in a very good hotel in a lovely village which has plenty of restaurants, bars and shops. The walks were very varied, including mountain tops, rocky tracks, woodland, tarns, streams, waterfalls, a gorge and meadows exhibiting many beautiful wild flowers. I felt compelled to take a huge number of photographs due to the stunning scenery.
As most of the meals and several drinks were included in the cost of the holiday, I spent very little money. Phil and the guides, Hannah and David, were very helpful, informative and flexible in their approach, which enhanced the holiday experience. Tiki’s head waiter showed a great sense of humour, made us feel like valued locals and served really good food.
Duncan, Valle de Tena Explorer, July 2018.

I thoroughly recommend Hike Pyrenees for anyone who wants to hike in stunning scenery with friendly and knowledgeable guides and also enjoy good food, wine and comfortable accommodation with a lovely garden and decent sized swimming pool. The level of customer service and attention to detail offered by Hike Pyrenees was truly exceptional. I enjoyed a wonderful 5 star holiday without paying 5 star prices!
Jane, Valle de Tena Explorer, July 2018.

I enjoyed the holiday.I wanted to do the peaks and passes but it wasn’t possible. I still had a great time. Besicas seemed a quiet place and I wasn’t sure what to do on my rest day and you helped out alot with the picnic and the trip to Jaca. I hardly spent any money on food or other things and that was great as most of the meals were paid for.
Anthony, Valle de Tena Explorer, July 2018.

Not only are the Pyrenees a stunning destination for walking but Phil and the team ensure every walk is suitable for each walker, and the weather conditions. Nothing is left to chance.
Liz & Andy, Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2018.

We enjoyed a wonderful week walking in a stunning location. Hike Pyrenees did everything they could to make an enjoyable holiday.
Joan & Graham, Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2018.

Phil and staff are extremely organised and informative. I had a wonderful time and would book a holiday in the future.
Harve, Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2018.

Nothing too much trouble for Phil and his team and the quality of guides and their levels of knowledge were outstanding.
Susie, Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2018.

Phil’s organisation and communication is excellent.The guides were very kind, knowledgeable and helpful. “Valle de Tena” walks were in a beautiful area. Wonderful wild flowers and waterfalls. Thank you.
Liz, Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2018.

I had a great week, the guides were great, very helpful and thoughtful. The planning was flexible taking into account weather and walkers wishes – Well done.
Diana, Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2018.

Organisation excellent, as were the guides. Guides were very attentive to the needs and abilities of individuals walkers. All in all an excellent week and we would hightly recommend this company to others.
Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2018.

Phil and team very friendly. Always willing to go “the extra mile”. Their flexibility in organising routes + excursions to cope with bad weather was very good.
Ian & Marina, Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2018.

What an extraordinary experience! Couldn´’t have enough of the magnificent views, flora, hikes and guides. We’d love to come back again.
Erv & Patty, Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2018.

My second trip with Hike Pyrenees and what a treat! Great guides, marvellous flowers. So many orchid! Even though it was supposed to rain most days, they managed to find just the right hikes so we saw many flowers, different parts of the valley, avoided most of the rain. Bravo to Hike Pyrenees and especially Olatz who knew every flower we saw.
Sally, Valle de Tena Explorer, June 2018.