Itinerary

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 and finishes 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 we 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.

1. Short option (Santa Elena - Panticosa): 10.7 km (6.7 miles), ascent: 670m (2200ft). View profile
2. Long option (Biescas - Panticosa): 15.7km (9.8 miles), ascent 870m (2860ft). View profile.

🛏️Spend the night at Hotel Sabocos.

Day 3 - Panticosa

Today, you have a choice of several 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.

One 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.

Another longer option heads up to the beautiful lake and peak of Catieras. This is a long day but you are rewarded by fantastic alpine scenery and views from this 2600 metre peak.

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.

1. Shorter option (La Ripera): 11.7km (7.3 miles), ascent: 530m (1740ft). View profile.
2. Medium option (via ski gondola): distance: 15.1km (9.4 miles), ascent: 370m (1214ft), descent 1050 m (3480ft). View profile
3. Longer option (Pico Catieras): 22km (13.5miles), ascent 1650m (5415 ft). View profile
4. Longer option (Ibón de Sabocos):  18.5km (11.5 miles) , ascent: 1150m (3740ft). View profile.

🛏️Night at Hotel Sabocos.

Electric Bike Option
There is also the option to do today’s route by electric mountain bike. We’ll arrange for the bikes and you'll pick them up at Tena Riders bike hire shop, next to the hotel. There is a choice of a half day or full day cycling.

Half day route: the route is mainly on 4x4 (jeep) track and heads into the Valle de La Ripera. There is splendid scenery all the way. It is a there and back route so can be shorten if required. The route is not technically difficult.
Half day route: 19 km (11.8 miles), 860 m ascent (2820 feet).
Electric bike hire 45€, 4 hours, front suspension

Full day route: This route also heads up the La Ripera valley, but instead of turning around, you continue up and over the Collado dera Verde and down past the beautiful glacial lake of Ibon de Sabacos. Passing through the ski station you then take a jeep track for a long descent down into the village of Hoz de Jaca and cycle back to Panticosa on the country lane beside the Bubal lake. Please note that this route has a few kilometres of more technical riding. The section across the col is not on a good path and very steep - you are likely to need to push your bike on some sections (both on the uphill and downhill)
Full day route: 34 km (21 miles), 1500 m ascent (4900 feet).
Electric bike hire Full day, 60€ front suspension, 85€ full suspension

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.

1. Shorter option (Embalse de Lanuza): 10.2km (6.4 miles), ascent: 300m (985ft). View profile.
2. Longer option (La Cucuraza): 13.2km (8.2 miles), ascent: 900m (2953ft). View profile.

🛏️Night at Hotel Almud.

Day 5 - Sallent de Gállego - Valle Aguas Limpias

Hike along the beautiful Rio Aguas Limpias - the river of clean water. Pass by meadows, woods and waterfalls as you initially climb quite gently. You can have a leisurely day walking to a lovely picnic spot. Alternatively, head higher to the high set of alpine lakes, Ibones de Arriel, set amongst spectacular mountain scenery. A third choice is the peak of Musales (2654m) (8707ft) - a hard but long day taking in a spectacular high peak.

1. Shorter option (La Sarra loop): distance: 12.6 km (8 miles), ascent: 350m (1150ft). View profile.
2. Longer option (Ibones de Arriel): distance: 21km (13 miles), ascent: 940m (3090ft). View profile.
3. Extreme option (Pico Musales): distance 20km (12.5 miles), ascent: 1300m (4265ft). View profile.

🛏️Second night at Hotel Almud.

🛏️Refugio 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 de Gállego - Punta del Pacino (1965 m)

Today, you cross over to the western side of the valley to hike to the summit of Punta del Pacino. While this isn't the highest peak of the week, it sits right in the middle of the valley, with no high peaks obscuring the view, and you can see almost your whole week's hikes from the summit. The routes pass through lovely alpine meadows covered in orchids during early summer. The views are stunning throughout the day. There are three circular routes to choose from, each of differing lengths.

The three hiking options are as follows:

1. Shorter option: 12 km (7.46 miles), ascent: 650 m (2132ft). View profile.
2. Medium option: 14 km (8.7 miles), ascent: 700 m (2297ft).
3. Longer option: 16 km (9.94 miles) , ascent: 750 m (2460ft)

🛏️Third night at Hotel Almud.

Day 7 - Ibon de Piedrafita

On the way up to the Ibon de Piedrafita

Today, you'll take a short lift to Tramacastilla de Tena. Then 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.

1. Shorter option: 13.2km (8,5 miles), ascent: 520m (1700ft). View profile
2. Longer option: 14.3km (8.9 miles), ascent: 730m (2395ft). View profile

🛏️You’ll spend your final night at Hotel Tierra de Biescas.

Day 8 - Biescas

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

Village-to-Village Dates & Prices

2026

The Village to Village holiday is available all summer from 31 May to 1 October.
Arrive and depart on any day you wish.

Prices are per person and based on two sharing.189 € single room supplement low season, 209 € single room supplement high season
40 € optional upgrade to a premium room in Hotel Tierra de Biescas - per person for first and final nights
80 € optional upgrade to a junior suite in Hotel Tierra de Biescas - per person for first and final nights
109 € hut trip extension self-guided, adding a night to our normal itinerary
60 € hut trip extension self-guided, swapping the night at one hotel for a night in the hut
45 € half day electric bike
60 € complete day electric bike with front suspension and 85 € complete day electric bike with full suspension

*If you would like to arrive later than 27 September, please contact us on info@hikepyrenees.co.uk, we can arrange an alternative itinerary.

Included

7 nights accommodation:
7 x breakfasts (every morning)
1 x picnic lunches - on first walking day
7 x three course evening meals (each night)
Luggage transfer, you just need to walk with your pack day.
Detailed maps, route cards and GPS tracks.
Garmin InReach satellite communicator for your safety.
Personalise Vamoos App tailor to your itinerary.

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.

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 you can use or standard transfers from Zaragoza airport or train station for 99 € per person (for the return journey).
Private transfers are available on any day for 250 € (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 destination (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.

Sunday transfers

We pick up from Zaragoza Delicias train station at 12:00 midday and drop off the Sunday at 11:45 am.

12 Midday Arrival Transfer
Trains that fit well with our 12:00 transfer are:
RENFE trains – the traditional rail company
Depart Barcelona 9:55, arrive Zaragoza 11:38
Depart Madrid 10:27, arrive Zaragoza 11:47

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 9:57, arrive Zaragoza 11:17

11:45 am Departure Transfer
RENFE train – Depart Zaragoza 12:52, arrive Barcelona 14:46
Iryo trains – Depart Zaragoza 12:41, arrive Barcelona 14:14
RENFE train – Depart Zaragoza 12:26, arrive Madrid 13:52

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

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 Sundays and our transfers are timed top meet this flight.

Sunday flight times are as follows:
Depart Stansted 6:20, arrive Zaragoza 9:35
Depart Zaragoza 10:10, arrive Stansted 11:15

Hotels

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 Sabocos (Panticosa)

Friendly, family-run hotel in the centre of the village. The three-star hotel has 28 rooms with a mixture of singles, twins, doubles and triples.

The hotel has a lovely sun terrace with mountain views - the perfect place to relax with a cold beer after a days hiking!  Downstairs, as well as the terrace, you'll find the restaurant and bar. Upstairs, there is a large lounge with sofas, a pool table and a library with reading area. Evening meals are taken at the hotels excellent restaurant.

Some of the rooms of the hotel have balconies or terraces and all have 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 local restaurants. Breakfasts are taken at the hotel. Read more about Hotel Almud.

Hotel Tierra de Biescas - Outdoor pool and garden

Hotel Almud - Double room

Hotel Sabocos - Terrace

Hotel Almud - Sallent de Gallego

Hotel Tierra de Biescas - Restaurant Terrace

Hotel Tierra de Biescas - Twin room

Hotel Almud - Twin room

Hotel Tierra de Biescas - Lounge area

Hotel Almud - Breakfast room