The Pyrenees, has a legend
Pyrene is the nymph of the classical mythology of who legendarily comes the name of Pyrenees, or the Pyrenees. This legend tries to explain how some mountains emerged that received from the primitive inhabitants the cult corresponding to a God.
Legend has it that the hero Heracles came to Iberia, with the aim of stealing the oxen of Geryon, monstrous giant who tried to possess the Pyrene nymph. But it fled and hid in an area between Spain and France. Gerion then burned the whole place to find it. Pyrene, about to burn, cried desperately and cried, and his tears created the ibones. Heracles heard it and came to his aid. When he found it, the nymph was already dying and only had time to tell the hero what happened.
Heracles, moved by the tragic end of Pyrene, raised a mausoleum on his dead body, piling up all the rocks and stones he found, creating a great mountain range that he called Pyrenees in memory of Pyrene.
The Aragonese Pyrenees stretch from the Western Valleys that border Navarra to the region of La Ribagorza and its high peaks, next to the border with Catalonia. The Aragonese Pyrenees is considered the Mecca of the Spanish high mountains: it hosts the highest peaks of the Pyrenees. In total, it has 188 peaks that exceed 3,000 meters. Highlights include Aneto, Posets and Monte Perdido.
The Aragonese Pyrenees preserve the traditions, the popular architecture of its villages, some of the most spectacular landscapes of the Peninsula and an impressive wealth of fauna and flora. In this area the last brown bears survive, the most important community of bearded vultures nests in Europe and find such unique species as the snowy partridge, the golden eagle, the peregrine falcon and the edelweiss flower.
Protected spaces and natural parks, great mountains and glaciers that remember the origin of the mountain range, ibones, wild rivers, ravines that call for adventure, majestic valleys, meadows and forests make up a territory of great beauty in the province of Huesca, with infinity of possibilities for the visitor: historical, cultural and patrimonial wealth.
A TRIP THROUGH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES OF THE PYRENEES OF HUESCA
Mountains, glaciers, parks, valleys, rivers … All this and much more await you if you dare to make a route through the Pyrenees of Huesca. Would you like to know which are your most beautiful landscapes and enjoy them in an unforgettable adventure? Then come with us, we can assure you that what you are going to see will enchant you.
The best landscapes of the Pyrenees of Huesca
In the province of Huesca, with its protected areas, its ravines and its peaks over 3000 meters high, the Pyrenees invite us to discover them and marvel at their majesty. This is the route we have designed for you:
1. Ordesa y Monte Perdido
It was declared a national park in 1918 and is also a Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site by Unesco. With such a presentation you can already imagine that it is one of the most beautiful landscapes you will find, and not only in the Pyrenees.
It is located in the Sobrarbe region. It has the largest calcareous massif in the world, an extension of more than 15,000 hectares and one of the highest waterfalls in Europe.
Ordesa and Monte Perdido hide in its four sectors many other spectacular spaces. Highlights include the Añisclo Canyon, the Escuaín Gorges and the Pineta Valley. Mixed forests, beech forests and ravines will leave you speechless.
2. Valle de Hecho y Selva de Oza
Without a doubt, it is one of the most beautiful and natural landscapes of the Pyrenees of Huesca. The valley and the jungle are located within the Natural Park of the Western Valleys, offers many hiking trails, accommodation to enjoy rural tourism and the possibility of canyoning in their throats.
In the Selva de Oza pine, fir and beech trees are mixed. Surrounded by peaks that almost reach 2,700 meters high and crossed by the Aragón Subordán River, it is a place, ideal to forget everything.
3. Parque Natural de la Sierra y los Cañones de Guara
It is part of a section of the Aragonese Pre-Pyrenees. Its main characteristic is the karstic relief, which includes several canyons, chasms and caves. Therefore, the ravines and gorges of this park are a fantastic attraction for lovers of adventure sports such as climbing, canyoning or mountain biking.
If you are more calm you can enjoy dozens of hiking trails. You can also visit medieval villages as beautiful as Ainsa or Alquézar.
4. Valle del Bujarelo
It is a beautiful place northwest of the Ordesa Valley, where the Ara River is born. The valley of Bujarelo is very visited by its beautiful waterfalls, its pools and hiking trails that offer spectacular views.
It is accessed by the beautiful town of Torla, which is worth visiting. From it, in addition, you can visit another charming valley, that of Ordiso.
«The path of the mountain, like that of life, is not traveled with the legs but with the heart.»
– Andrés Nadal –
5. Valle de Benasque
With its privileged location among the highest peaks of the Pyrenees of Huesca, it is home to more than 30 towns and villages located between forests, rivers, mountains and lakes. In winter they are covered with snow and form a beautiful postcard.
The most outstanding places in Benasque are the Perdiguero, Posets and Aneto peaks, as well as the Aramón-Cerler ski resort (with slopes for all ages). If you go in spring you can practice mountaineering, climbing, canyoning, horse riding, hiking or canoeing, among many other activities.
6. Valle de Tena
This Pyrenean valley is crossed by the Gallego River from north to south and in its vicinity we can find two large marshes (Bubal and Lanuza). In addition, you can discover beautiful villages of traditional mountain architecture, such as Sallent de Gállego, Piedrafita de Jaca or Lanuza.
Other unmissable landscapes of the Pyrenees of Huesca are the old station of Canfranc, the Natural Park of the Western Valleys or the valleys of Pineta and Gistaín. Where do you want to go first?
The Aneto, located in the valley of Benasque is the most important «SUMMIT» of the whole Pyrenees. Its height is 3,404 meters.
We have more than 9,000 kilometers of trails.
Most of our summer tourists choose the Aragonese Pyrenees as their first choice.
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