You can start the holiday on whichever day you’d like and the itinerary is 7 nights with 6 days walking.

The itinerary has plenty of flexibility with each day offering two walking options of differing difficulty. With two nights spent at both Panticosa and Sallent de Gallego you also have the option of taking a rest day.

For those that like long hikes the harder options are fairly strenuous with some of the days covering over 20km (12.5 miles) and getting into steep high mountain terrain.

The holiday starts in Biescas and you can arrive by car (free safe parking at the first hotel where you can leave your car for the week), by public transport and taxi (which we will arrange) or on Sunday evenings we can provide transfers to and from Zaragoza airport or train station for 99 € per person.

Day 1 – Biescas

Arrive in Biescas spending the night at the 4* Hotel Tierra de Biescas. Briefing in the evening about the week ahead, going over the route and giving you a chance to ask any questions.

Day 2 – Biescas to Panticosa with option of zip-line on route

In the morning, you can either head out straight from the hotel, or we can give you a short lift to the area known as Santa Elena to cut the distance down for the first day. The route passes under the high cliffs of the Sierra de Tendeñera where you see the valley open up before you. Roughly halfway along the route you reach the pretty village of Hoz de Jaca where there is a kilometre long zip-line which you can ride across the lake. It’s great fun and makes for a nice break in the days hiking.

The hike’s full of history as you pass a neolithic dolmen, the scenic church of Santa Elena and bunkers built by Franco to defend against invasion through the Pyrenees. Spend the night at Hotel Casa Morlans.

Short option: Santa Elena – Panticosa: 13km (8 miles), ascent: 700m (2300ft). View profile
Long option: Biescas – Panticosa: 18km (11 miles), ascent 860m (2820ft). View profile.

Day 3 – Panticosa

Today, you have a choice of two circular routes. The shorter option passes through lovely woodland into the meadows of the Valle la Ripera. At the head of the valley, you get to the area known as Rincon del Verde, where 700-metre vertical cliffs rise up from the meadows.

The longer option heads up the Valle La Ripera, continuing over a 2000 metre (6560ft) col where you have the option of a side trip to the peak of Montaña del Verde (2288m, 7500 ft) which has wonderful views over the area. As you descend you pass the glacial tarn of Ibón de Sabacos before descending down to Panticosa.

There is an excellent mid-length option from mid-July to late August when the ski gondola is running. This takes you up 700 metres into the high mountains from where you can take a fantastic hike back down to Panticosa – highly recommended.

Night at Hotel Casa Morlans.

Shorter option: distance: 12km (7.5 miles), ascent: 530m (1740ft). View profile.
Medium option: distance: 14km (8.7 miles), ascent: 500m (1640ft), descent 1050 m (3444ft). View profile
Longer option: distance: 19.5km (12 miles) , ascent: 1100m (3610ft). View profile.

Looking over the village Sallent de Gallego

Day 4 – Panticosa to Sallent de Gállego

Continuing your journey you head into the northern half of the Valle de Tena. Either have an easy half day’s walk around the lake of Embalse de Lanuza, spending an afternoon in picturesque Sallent.

Alternatively, climb steeply to the viewpoint of La Cucuraza for bird’s eye views back down to Panticosa and the Valle La Ripera where you hiked the day before. As you continue you get great views into the northern part of the valley and the border peaks before you descend steeply down to the very pretty village of Sallent.

Night at Hotel Almud.
Shorter option: distance: 10.5km (6.5 miles), ascent: 200m (660ft). View profile.
Longer option: distance: 15km (9 miles), ascent: 800m (2620ft). View profile.

Day 5 – Sallent de Gállego

Hike along the beautiful Rio Aguas Limpias – the river of clean water. You can have a leisurely day walking to a lovely picnic spot. Alternatively, head higher to a series of lakes set amongst spectacular mountain scenery or the peak of Musales (2654m) (8707ft). Second night at Hotel Almud.
Shorter option: distance: 13km (8 miles), ascent: 300m (985ft). View profile.
Longer option: distance: 21km (13 miles), ascent: 900m (2950ft). View profile.
Extreme option: distance 23km (14 miles), ascent: 1350m (4430ft). View profile.

Respomuso overnight alternative: the route takes in the lovely mountain lakes of Ibones de Arriel and after spending one night in Refugio Respomuso, a high mountain hut in a fantastic setting, on the second day the peak of Musales which at 2654m is an excellent high rocky peak with fantastic views. For more information read here.

Day 6 – Sallent to Tramacastilla

Today you cross over to the western side of the valley and head south. The route passes through lovely alpine meadows which are covered in orchids during early summer. The views are great throughout the day. There are two optional side trips to two summits. One to Punta del Pacino (1965m) (6447ft) for panoramic views across the valley – you can see nearly the whole weeks hiking route from the summit.

The other side trip is to Punta de la Cochata (1911m) which is a short and sharp ascent involving a bit of scrambling. You descend past the tiny village of Sandinies to Tramacastilla. Night at the lovely 4* Hotel El Privilegio.

Distance: 16km (10 miles), ascent: 700m (2295ft). View profile.
Including side trips: 18km (11 miles), ascent: 1000m (3280ft)

Day 7 – Tramacastilla to Piedrafita

On the way up to the Ibon de Piedrafita

Today, one route option passes through the woods of Betato before climbing through meadows to the lake of Ibon de Piedrafita nestled under the vast cliffs of the Sierra de Partacua. The longer route takes a longer track through higher meadows to the lake. Both routes finish at the village of Piedrafita where you’ll be picked up for a short transfer to Biescas where you’ll spend your final night at Hotel Tierra de Biescas.

There is also the option to do today’s route by mountain bike. We’ll arrange for the bikes to be delivered to your hotel either the evening before. The route is mainly on 4*4 track and passes through lovely meadows. You can cycle right back to the hotel in Biescas. There is a choice of either standard or electric bikes – if you don’t cycle regularly choose the electric bike – there’s a lot of up!

Shorter option: distance: 14km (8,5 miles), ascent: 500m (1640ft). View profile.
Longer option: distance: 20km (12 miles), ascent: 650m (2130ft)
Bike option: distance: 40km (25 miles); ascent: 630m (2065ft) – more information in dates and prices tab.

Day 8 – Biescas

Breakfast at the hotel and final morning in Biescas before departing for your homeward journey.

Village to Village

2022 Prices & Dates

The Village to Village holiday is available all summer from late May to early October. Arrive and depart on any day you wish.

Prices are per person and based on two sharing.

129 € single supplement
50 € optional upgrade to a junior suite in Hotel Tierra de Biescas – per person for first and final nights
75 € hut trip extension self guided, adding a night to our normal itinerary
25 € hut trip extension self guided, swapping the night at Sandiniés for a night in the hut
275 € hut trip extension guided by a quilified mountain leader, price based on two people. If you would like to add the hut extension guided in a bigger group, please contact us and we’ll send you a quote.

Included

7 nights accommodation:
7 x breakfasts (every morning)
2 x picnic lunches – on first and final walking days
7 x three course evening meals (each night)
Luggage transfer, you just need to walk with your pack day.
Detailed maps and route cards.

Not included

Flights, insurance, drinks with evening meal.
Transfer from Zaragoza.
Bike hire if you want the biking option – ask for prices and availability when you book.
GPS hire: if you are worried about navigation, you can hire a GPS wich has all the maps and tracks marking. The price is 35€ per trip.

Getting to the Pyrenees

You can arrive at the start of the walk in Biescas by car, public transport and taxi (which we will arrange) or on Sunday afternoons you can use or standard transfers from Zaragoza airport or train station for 99 € per person (for the return journey).
Private transfers are availability on any day for 200 € (one way for up to 8 people – price is for the group not per person) for the journey either Zaragoza to Biescas or Biescas to Zaragoza. If you would like a private transfer from any other destinantion (Barcelona, San Sebastian, etc) please ask us for a quote.
If you drive, there is ample and safe parking at the hotel in Biescas and it’s fine to leave your car there for the week while you’re hiking.
From the UK
There are direct flights from London Stansted to Zaragoza. You can also fly to Barcelona and hire a car and drive to Biescas or catch the AVE fast train to Zaragoza where we pick up at both the train station and the airport on Sundays or you can catch a bus to Biescas.
From outside Europe
Most of our guests from outside of Europe fly via Barcelona or Madrid, combining a stay in one of these two excellent cities with their walking holiday. From Barcelona it’s easier to hire a car and drive to Biescas (around a 4 hour drive). Madrid has excellent rail links with Zaragoza (1 hr 20 mins, 80 euros return). From Zaragoza you can either meet our transfers on Sunday, hire a car or take a bus to Biescas.

See more travel options and details on the getting here page. If you have any questions about getting here or would like any advice then please drop us an email.

Hotels are superb throughout the week, in particular the hotels in Sallent de Gallego and Tramacastilla are full of character. Breakfast and evening meals are taken at the hotels and they’ll provide you a packed lunch on first and final walking days.

4* Hotel Tierra de Biescas (Biescas)

Your base for the first and final nights. Excellent 4* Hotel Tierra de Biescas is in the heart of the old village, set in lovely grounds with an indoor and outdoor pool and a sauna which is a great treat after a weeks hiking.

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. There is ample and safe parking at the hotel if you need to leave your car there during the week. Read more about Hotel Tierra de Biescas.

Hotel Casa Morlans (Panticosa)

Friendly, family run hotel in the centre of the village. The two star hotel has 25 rooms with a mixture of twins, doubles and triples.

Rooms at the back of the hotel have balconies with mountain views. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms with toilet and shower.

Hotel Almud (Sallent de Gállego)

Hotel Almud is a wonderful stone building set in the winding streets of Sallent de Gállego. María José is your host in this friendly family-run hotel with just 11 rooms.

The hotel is fantastically decorated throughout with the bedrooms beautifully converted all with en-suite bathrooms.

The bedrooms have mountain views.There is a living room and reading area with sofas and a stone fireplace where you can have a coffee and relax.

Evening meals are taken at Casa Jaimico a restaurant neighbouring the hotel which has an excellent menu. Breakfasts are taken at the hotel. Read more about Hotel Almud.

4* Hotel Privilegio (Tramacastilla)

It is a lovely 4* hotel which was built over an old abbey built in 1.470, which were subsequently employed to construct an ancestral house, integrated and designed to comply with the Pyrenean architecture. The facilities were extended in December 2003, with the construction of a new building that respects the interior and exterior balance, considering all aspects from quality materials, functional designs and light aesthetics, to modern decoration.

The hotel has a spa and offers different treatments, which should be booked in advance.

Hotel Tierra de Biescas - Outdoor pool and garden

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Frequently asked questions

Here’s feedback from guests on our Village to Village self 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.

We spent a month in Spain and this week of self guided walks was our highlight. Phil and the team do a terrific job making sure everithing is well organised. They even arranged perfect weather and new friends along the way.
Phil & Jacqui, Village to Village, September 2018.

Our self guided tour exceed our expectations. Thoroughly enjoyed our 5 days on the trail. Great diversity to our hikes and the difficulty matched our ability perfectly. Look forward to returning and seeing more of this beautiful part of Spain.
Jill & Rick, Village to Village, September 2018.

A great introduction to the Pyrenees and the small villages along the way.
Al & Cheryl, Village to Village, September 2018.

Stunning walks in beautiful scenery and visiting authentic villages in the Pyrenees. Fabulous holiday, extremely well coordinated and organised by Phil and his team. Highly recommended!
Peter & Rebecca, Village to Village, July 2018.

Conchita and Paco were so gracious and welcoming in Sandinies. Casa Morlans staff were great. Really enjoyed the views and balcony. Sallent restaurant for dinner was exceptional (Casa Jaimico)
Randy, Sharon & Jessica, Village to Village, June 2018.

We enjoyed our trekking holiday – awesome sceneries and had opportunity to be on same route with 5 Americans where we had great time together. In additions, great guidance from Hike Pyrenees staff. Thank you!
Ian & Adeline, Village to Village, June 2018.

A week of very well curated walks. Each day was wonderful, every day was different.
Kati & Tuomo, Village to Village, June 2018.

This was a wonderful holiday! The Hike Pyrenees staff and organization took care of everything and were very friendly and helpful.
Ken & Daryl, Village to Village, June 2018.

This was our first self-guided tour with support and it was a great experience. Hike Pyrenees does an excellent job!
Laura, Village to Village, June 2018.

Excellent holiday. Enjoyed very much!
Jim & Kathleen, Village to Village, June 2018.