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Autumn walks in the Sierra de Guara. Following the sweltering summer, the season is now open for enjoying walks that are particularly challenging during the hottest months, whether due to the distance covered, the duration of the walk, or the lack of water sources.
AN AUTUMN FOR THE BRAVE
We recently shared a series of family-friendly walks on this very page. These are walks that can be enjoyed all year round, don’t require much preparation, and don’t involve any steep climbs. If you’re looking for easy walks, here’s the post in case you’d like to have a look.
Today’s suggestions are routes we don’t usually recommend for the summer, because although they’re trails for experienced hikers, anyone can get into trouble if they run out of water in the blazing sun and far from any civilisation. So, for some of today’s suggestions, we’re taking advantage of the times of year when the sun isn’t beating down quite so fiercely and the snow hasn’t yet made an appearance. Let’s take a look at some autumn routes for the brave.
THE LONGEST DESCENT IN B-GUARA
The westernmost entrance to the Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park, flanked by the Salto de Roldán waterfall, also boasts the longest descent you’ll find in B-Guara. It’s a 10-kilometre route from Pico del Águila to Apiés, with the final stretch running alongside the River Flumen. It’s a descent with a 1,000-metre elevation drop that leaves no one indifferent. Mind you, you’ll first have to climb up to the highest point. The standard route, the Integral del Salto de Roldán, starts from Apiés and is a circular route, totalling 34 kilometres with an estimated time of 4 hours. This route is featured here as an autumn option because it runs mostly along the south-facing side, which is fully exposed to the sun. You can choose to do the full route or, as many downhill enthusiasts already do, drive up to Pico del Águila to enjoy the speed alone. Bear in mind, however, that hikers and families with children are often present along various parts of the route, so please exercise caution. If you fancy taking on this challenge, which is perfect for autumn, take a look at the route.
THE LONGEST MOUNTAIN BIKE ROUTE
The Gran Vuelta al Vero is a real challenge. The ideal time to tackle this route of almost 45 kilometres is when the heat has eased off, preferably in autumn or spring, although it can also be thoroughly enjoyed on sunny winter days. With a high technical difficulty and very high physical demands, the Gran Vuelta al Vero can take around 6 hours to complete, give or take a bit depending on your fitness level. But it is a treat for the senses to enjoy the incredible views of the Vero, the Balced ravine and all the Pyrenean peaks that you can see from the upper part of the route.
This is a circular route with over 1,400 metres of elevation gain, which you can start from either Lecina or Alquézar. As soon as you leave Lecina, you’ll descend into the Vero ravine, and it’s almost certain you’ll have to carry your bike (or will you?) towards the Mirador del Vero viewpoint. Then comes the Lumos ravine, the Villacantal bridge, more carrying, tracks, paths, Mesón de Sevil, Tozal del Asba and Santa María de la Nuez, before returning to Betorz and Lecina. Are you up for it? It’s this way.
ENDLESS TRAILS AND ROCK CATHEDRALS
The third and final route in this autumn series for serious cycling enthusiasts takes us on a ride where you’ll hardly ever leave the trail. Catedrales de Roca is a spectacular enduro route whose statistics can be misleading. It’s just under 26 kilometres long, with 1,000 metres of elevation gain, and you’ll be in the saddle for between 5 and 6 hours. Best not to calculate the average speed. Setting off from Rodellar, we’ll reach the village of Bara, passing through the Mascún riverbed and the Andrebot ravine, arriving at the Losa Mora dolmen (the only section of track) and visiting the abandoned hamlet of Nasarre to complete the first half of the route in Bara. The abandoned villages of Miz and Otín, along with the imposing view of the Pyrenean peaks, will guide you—not without effort—back to Rodellar. A route not suitable for beginners which, with the end of the summer heat, opens its high season for enduro enthusiasts. Take a look here at the Rock Cathedrals.
What about you? Which routes and trails do you cycle in autumn? Tell us about it, and if you’re cycling along any of our routes, do let us know.
