Cycling along the waterways

Cycling along the waterways. With the spring rains and the thaw, Guara is bursting with water and life. Cycling along any of our paths and trails at this time of year, when the cold is fading and the heat has yet to arrive, is a sure-fire hit every single time. I invite you to explore our waterways on two wheels.

CYCLING ROUTES AROUND THE WATER

Rock and water are the undisputed stars of the Sierra de Guara. In fact, one cannot be understood without the other; it would make no sense. Cycling through the Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park means you are bound to cross rivers and bridges or follow the path that runs alongside a ravine. But in the following suggestions, we are going to seek out the water; in fact, we are going to follow ‘The Water Trails’.

WARMING UP ON THE PLAIN

The end of winter and the start of spring is a fantastic time to visit the Alberca de Loreto, near Huesca. Although the route starts in completely arid terrain, the aim of the walk – just over 15 kilometres from Huesca – is to circle this wetland, which is teeming with birds and offers a spectacular view to the north, dominated by the Sierra de Guara. Starting from Camping San Jorge, the route follows the old Canfranero track, now converted into a nature trail.

Route: https://bguara.com/ruta/familiar/camino-natural-de-loreto/

WATER… WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Let’s not beat about the bush. Of our four suggested routes for cycling along the waterways in the Guara region and the surrounding area, three are suitable for cyclists with considerable physical strength and technical skill.

Who hasn’t had a dip in the Pozas de Belsué? If you haven’t done so yet, you’ll want to today, just before tackling the climb up to Mesón Nuevo again. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I invite you to discover our route to the Pozas de Belsué. It’s 30 kilometres long, with a total elevation gain of 760 metres, 48% of which is on footpaths, and takes around 4 hours, plus whatever time you spend with your feet soaking in the pools.

For this route, it’s essential that you bring a torch, as we’ll be going through the old Manzanera tunnel from Mesón Nuevo. I’d almost say that, for safety’s sake, you should consider the route to have started once you’ve gone through the tunnel. Set your stopwatch to 0 once you’ve crossed it, and not before. From there, you’ll climb up to the Monrepós pass and enjoy the Sierra de Belarra with its stunning views across the entire Pyrenean side. From La Pardina Usieto, you’ll enjoy a fantastic descent through the heart of the forest. Remember that you’ll have to climb back up everything you’ve descended, so when you reach the Belsué pools, take your time. Pure bliss for the senses.

Route: https://bguara.com/ruta/enduro/pozas-de-belsue/

LA PEONERA, THE LEGENDARY GORGE

The La Peonera ravine is the epitome of canyoning in Guara, which is saying a lot. This 34-kilometre route circles it entirely. Starting from Bierge, you’ll follow the Alcanadre River on a route that mostly runs along tracks in good condition. The only technically challenging section is the stretch between Pedruel and Morrano, with steep inclines both uphill and downhill, which require a good level of technical skill.

The descent to Las Almunias, after taking in the views from the Balced viewpoint, is also enjoyable… and fun. You’ll get a full sense of what this section of the Alcanadre and its famous La Peonera ravine are all about.

Route: https://bguara.com/ruta/rally/tour-de-la-peonera/

THE GREAT TOUR OF THE VERO. IF YOU DARE, OF COURSE

The River Vero here is almost entirely—or entirely, depending on who you ask. What if we were to take a route that goes all the way round the river’s most powerful stretch? Well, there isn’t one. And yet there certainly used to be.

It’s a 44-kilometre route with over 1,400 metres of elevation gain, which can be started from three different locations. The route starts in Lecina, but you can also set off from Alquézar or Santa María de la Nuez. It’s all about water here; you’ll cross it and see it, and you’ll even dream of it once you’ve been cycling for a couple of hours.

Leaving Lecina, we head straight for the Vero viewpoint and from there to the Villacantal bridge, near Alquézar. Then it’s all uphill until just past the Mesón de Sevil. Upon reaching the Asba hill, we’ll begin the descent, making our way towards the end of the loop along paths and trails flanked by dry-stone walls. It’s worth becoming a keen cyclist just to be able to enjoy the Gran Vuelta al Vero.

Route:https://bguara.com/ruta/enduro/gran-vuelta-al-vero/

What about you? Do you know of any routes in Guara where water plays a central role? Come and tell us about them!

LINK

Suggestions linking remote villages and water. By bike or on foot:

https://guara.org/descubre-guara/cuatro-propuestas-refrescantes-para-disfrutar-de-los-despoblados/