Pyrenees / Canyonlands of the Sierra de Guara

A Self-Guided Trip – 8 Days & 7 Nights.

SHORTER VERSIONS (2-6 NIGHTS) AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

This tour explores the spectacular Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Reserve, a very special range of small mountains and rugged canyons, just south of the central massif of the Pyrenees. This beautiful region offers superb hiking terrain in an area of authentic Spain, relatively unscathed by modern development.

In these sun-drenched landscapes, ideal for hiking in Spring or Autumn, you’ll visit quaint local villages with typical dwellings built of sandstone, wood and adobe and where locals still live a rural lifestyle rooted in an age long past, surrounded by terraced hillsides of almond, olive and cherry trees, interspersed with wheat fields and vineyards. Shallow caves in the canyon walls feature prehistoric rock art.

Guara’s natural environment will surprise and delight you at every turn of the trail. Canyons with fantastic limestone and conglomerate rock formations, aqua blue-green water, river pools and waterfalls jostle for the walker’s attention with multicoloured lizards darting among the rocks and everpresent birds of prey soaring overhead. A profusion of aromatic herbs such as lavender, oregano, thyme and rosemary line the paths.

Many experts consider this karstic wonderland as the world’s prime destination for canyoneering – one of the most exciting adventure sports to evolve in recent years—but it is also a world-class destination for birdwatchers, climbers and mountain bikers. The region is well-known for its production of quality wine, now considered among Spain’s finest, under the Somontano Denomination of Origin, as well as excellent sheep and goat’s cheeses and olive oil.

Easily accessible from Barcelona or Madrid, you can easily travel from here to other locations of interest in northeast Spain such as Pamplona, Bilbao or San Sebastian.

2 Different transfer options to meet your needs.

Local transfers included version: we arrange all local transport. First make your own way to either Lèrida or Zaragoza (excellent connections by frequent high-speed train from Madrid or Barcelona). We’ll have you picked up and taken to your first overnight hotel, take care of all local transfers needed to complete the hikes and then arrange for your transfer back to Lérida or Zaragoza (or other destination) at the end of the trip. The itinerary described below is for this version.

Self-drive version: for those who prefer to hire or rent a car and drive to the area on their own. This allows a a little more flexibilty in terms of route choice. Some hikes may require a short local taxi to complete the route (we can arrange these). The itinerary described below is slightly different for the self-drive version.

Overnight bases in traditional villages, including Alquézar, a National Historic Monument, rated one of Spain’s most beautiful medieval villages, in a truly spectacular setting, perched on the edge of a canyon.

Exploring the wonderful canyons of the Sierra de Guara Natural Park — considered as the birthplace of the modern adventure sport of canyoneering or canyoning, with over 80 canyons in a small area.

Fantastic rock formations, aqua blue-green water, river pools and waterfalls.

Centuries-old paths amidst traditional rural landscapes and the wild heart of the mountains.

Tasty cuisine based on fresh local produce.

Sure sightings of vultures and other birds of prey.

Hiking options include visits to fascinating sites with prehistoric art catalogued as UNESCO World Heritage.

Most hikes offer opportunities for swimming in the numerous natural pools along the way

Few tourists and uncrowded trails – on many hikes you may be completely alone!