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Geology has been generous to the Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park. This area boasts one of the largest and finest networks of gorges in the world, something that canyoneers are well aware of, having been pioneers in discovering this region as a top-class tourist destination. Yet, whilst they are fundamental, the gorges are not the only geological attraction in the Sierra de Guara and its surrounding area.
AN EXTRAORDINARY GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE
One of the major accolades held by the Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park is its designation as the Sobrarbe-Pyrenees Geopark/ Pyrenees Geopark LINK https://www.geoparquepirineos.com/ , a designation by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which recognises the geological heritage of the southernmost part of the Sobrarbe region as extraordinary. This is precisely the part of Sobrarbe that lies within the Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park.
KNOW WHAT YOU SEE
What we suggest is that you cycle around these geological sites of particular interest, not only to take in the views, but also to learn about them, because you appreciate things much more when you understand them. Here are three routes that will allow you to explore the main geological attractions of the Sierra de Guara and the surrounding area in depth.
We’ll highlight the key features of each route so you can stop off along the way and enjoy the geological wonders that have been shaped by water, wind and the forces rising from the Earth’s depths.
WE’RE RIGHT IN THE THICK OF IT
Starting in Aínsa and finishing in Colungo after a 49-kilometre ride with no technical difficulties, you’ll enjoy the fifth stage of the Tour de Guara cycle tour. Here’s the link: LINK https://bguara.com/ruta/cicloturismo/travesia-cicloturista-tour-de-guara-etapa-5-ainsa-colungo/
We can also start from Colungo, and whichever way we go, we’ll get a broad overview of the geological potential of our region. In this section, we’ll stick to the original route because there’s already plenty to see there.
In fact, Aínsa has far more to offer geologically than meets the eye. Aínsa is a village nestled between two rivers, the Ara and the Cinca, situated on a hilltop that offers spectacular views. From there, we will be able to see the Boltaña Anticline, Peña Montañesa, As Tucas, the former riverbed on the wall itself, and even trace fossils on the slabs of the banister on the stairs leading down from the schools. You’ll get the most out of it with the geopark guides, but if you’d prefer to go it alone, take a look here https://www.geoparquepirineos.com/descargas/gr_2.pdf
Shortly after leaving Aínsa, in Guaso, we’ll head up to the Mirador del Tozal viewpoint to take in a “sea of rocks”. In fact, from here you can see the geological substrate that shapes the Sobrarbe region. From there, we’ll head towards Arcusa to enter the Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park. However, this same route will take us to another of the key geological features of both the geopark and the mountain range: the Vero Canyon.
THE VERO RIVER CANYON
The Vero River Gorge features prominently in many of our mountain bike routes, and it will do so in this one too. To explore the Vero Canyon, we recommend two routes: the classic enduro route, covering 26 kilometres, which you can view here LINK https://bguara.com/ruta/enduro/canon-del-rio-vero/
or the Gran Vuelta to Vero, of 44 kilometres, the same technical difficulty as the previous (high) but greater physical difficulty. You can view it here: https://bguara.com/ruta/enduro/gran-vuelta-al-vero/
But why are we visiting the Vero Canyon as part of this geological and cycling tour? Let’s see what the Geopark’s website has to say: “This route reveals the keys to understanding the geological factors shaping the landscape of the Sierra de Guara. It is a journey through the spectacular Vero River Canyon, straddling the regions of Sobrarbe and Somontano, combining views from within the canyon and from various vantage points. Two different yet complementary views of these breathtaking landscapes of rock and water.” And the fact is that the Vero is at the heart of almost everything, thanks to its waters, its rock-shelter sites with cave paintings, its stunning views and, of course, its geology. If you’d like to explore further or return without a bike, take a look at the Sobrarbe-Pyrenees Geopark’s proposal: https://www.geoparquepirineos.com/descargas/gr_5.pdf
Secrets of Old Sobrarbe
We are now visiting one of the least visited areas of the Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park. The main attractions here are the villages of Las Bellostas, the abandoned hamlet of Bagüeste and the headwaters of the Upper Mascún. To do this, we will use one of the loops on our Biello Sobrarbe route LINK https://bguara.com/ruta/carretera/biello-sobrarbe/.
Pay attention here, because the proposed loop covers 59 kilometres of the route’s total length of 163 kilometres. Setting off from Aínsa towards Boltaña, we’ll head to Las Bellostas, passing through Pueyo de Morcat on the way, before returning via Arcusa to Aínsa.
Don’t expect to come across many other people, especially in the Las Bellostas area, but you will find plenty of peace and beauty—including geological beauty—which is what we’ve come here for today. The aim is to reach the River Balced, one of the six major watercourses in the Sierra de Guara.
Pools and natural pools where you can take a dip, and the Balced Gorge with its impressive escarpment. If you look closely, you’ll be able to see thousands and thousands of nummulite fossils, although you’ll probably have to get off your bike to do so. Arriving in Bagüeste is always a pleasure, mixed with a sense of melancholy at seeing what was once a lived-in place that has now been abandoned.
El Saltador de Las Lañas, from where we’ll see the head of the Barranco del Mascún, will be one of the highlights of the day. If you want to delve deeper into the geology of the area, click here: https://www.geoparquepirineos.com/descargas/gr_14_modif.pdf
What about you? Did you know just how rich the Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park is in geological terms? If you decide to try one of our routes, do let us know!
