Skip to content
Gravel biking is gaining popularity every day, and the Sierra de Guara offers a paradise of tracks and trails perfect for this sport. The best thing about gravel bikes is that they allow you to combine sections of track with sections of tarmac without the weight of a mountain bike, yet with the safety and versatility offered by a good wheel diameter and a comfortable geometry for long rides.
WHAT IS A GRAVEL
In case anyone is still in the dark at this point, gravel cycling is a type of cycling done on a bike that looks like a road bike, but with modifications to the frame, fork and wheels that allow it to handle a wide variety of roads, tracks and trails. Obviously, these bikes aren’t suitable for particularly technical terrain – that’s what mountain bikes are for – but thanks to this type of bike, we can overcome most of the limitations of a road bike.
Gravel bikes are at home on quiet roads, regardless of their condition; they handle brilliantly on clear, wide tracks and even on trails, provided there aren’t too many loose stones and they’re well-maintained. If you’re familiar with our area, you’re probably already imagining that we’re a paradise for gravel bikes.
GUARA, GRAVEL TERRITORY
It is becoming increasingly common to see cyclists on their gravel bikes along our roads, tracks and trails. Some go on day rides, but we also see cyclists setting off on longer journeys with their gravel bikes loaded with panniers containing everything they need for their adventure. That’s why these bikes offer such a wide range of options: from gravel bikes designed for safer, more comfortable riding on roads in fair condition, to those with larger wheel diameters that experienced cyclists use to tackle routes typically reserved for mountain bikes.
GUARA TOUR
We’ll start with a route that’s “easy” in terms of technical difficulty, as the Tour of Guara takes place entirely on roads, although some of them are best enjoyed on gravel of a gravel bike due to the condition of the surface. The Tour de Guara has become a classic event for cycle tourists from all over the world.
The route is divided into five stages: Colungo–Panzano, Panzano–Sabayés, Sabayés–Nocito, Nocito–Aínsa and Aínsa–Colungo, covering a total of just over 230 kilometres and with a cumulative elevation gain of almost 4,000 metres. It is divided into five stages, but depending on your level and how much time you have, you can adapt them to suit your needs and add or remove stages. Here’s all the information about the route: LINK https://bguara.com/rutas/cicloturismo/
THREE SIMPLE IDEAS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Before we tackle some of the more ‘advanced’ routes, let’s explore a few trails suitable for the whole family, before heading straight into the nature reserve. Near the western entrance to the Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park, in the municipality of Loporzano, lies the Abadiado de Montearagón. Whether you’ve just got your new gravel bike or are cycling with the family, on this route of just over 15 kilometres you’ll get to enjoy the Ermita del Viñedo chapel, the mysterious site of La Piedra Mora, and stunning views of the ancient castle of Montearagón, the Salto de Roldán waterfall, as well as Gratal and the Tozal de Guara, the highest point in the Sierra de Guara.
Once we’re well into the natural park, we come to the route between Colungo and Buera, which we can start from either village, whichever we prefer. This is a route that can be tackled on gravel bikes at any time of year, as the altitude is low, making it suitable for winter; there are several water points and the distance is short, so it is also suitable for summer. This is a circular route covering 19 kilometres with a total elevation gain of 360 metres, running entirely along tracks. Historic sites, olive groves and a ravine that you’ll cross either on or off your gravel bike – it’s up to you. By the way, if you’re going to Colungo, do remember to visit its centre dedicated to rock art. Here is all the information about the suggested route: LINK https://bguara.com/ruta/rally/colungo-buera/
As our final suggestion—one of the easiest in terms of distance and terrain—we recommend the route along the foothills of the Adahuesca, Alquézar and Radiquero mountain ranges. It’s just over 14 kilometres long, with a total elevation gain of 255 metres, and offers views of the Somontano region, as well as the chance to enjoy Mediterranean crops and even a holm oak forest. By the way, although it isn’t particularly difficult, there are a few hills that will force you to really push hard on the pedals. LINK https://bguara.com/ruta/rally/pie-de-sierra/
WE’RE STEPPING UP THE CHALLENGE FOR GRAVEL
As a complement to this last route, whether you’re following the foothills or setting off on your own, we suggest you try the Treviño route, which you can start in Adahuesca or Buera; it’s 20 kilometres long and includes a 5% incline (1 kilometre). https://bguara.com/ruta/rally/ruta-de-trevino/
With a slightly longer trail – 3.5 kilometres in total – though not too challenging for gravel bikes, we have the San Pelegrín route, which is 18 kilometres long and, admittedly, involves a significant elevation gain. You can start in Alquézar or Radiquero and, whilst it is by no means a difficult route, it does require some experience with gravel bikes due to the steepness of some of the descents.
LONG GRAVEL RIDES
We’re moving on to longer distances, but the routes we suggest here are well worth it for their beauty and because they take you through some truly fascinating places. The shortest of the long routes is the gravel trail that winds through the Valle de la Gloria, on the southern edge of the Sierra de Guara.
There are four starting points to choose from: Labata, Casbas de Huesca, Sieso de Huesca and Panzano. The route covers a total of 46.7 kilometres on tracks; there are no trails, but there is a total elevation gain of 580 metres, which is perfectly manageable if you’re fit enough for the distance. The valley and the route take their name from the Cistercian monastery of Nuestra Señora de la Gloria, founded in 1173. The technical difficulty is very low, so it’s the perfect route for clocking up the miles on your gravel bike. LINK https://bguara.com/ruta/rally/valle-de-la-gloria/
We round off this tour of our gravel terrain with the most demanding route of them all, in terms of distance, elevation gain and technical difficulty. This is a route that is of medium difficulty on a mountain bike but becomes somewhat more challenging on a gravel bike, as there are just over 5 kilometres of trail.
This is a 55.5-kilometre route known as Monrepós Xtrem, which can be started either at Mesón Nuevo or at Nocito. You’ll be amazed as you hike along the ridges of the Bonés and Belarra mountain ranges, from where you can see the entire southern face of the Pyrenees, the deserted hamlet of Ibirque and the impressive north face of the Tozal de Guara. Mind you, the route does involve a total elevation gain of over 1,100 metres, though the beauty of the route is well worth the effort. LINK https://bguara.com/ruta/rally/monrepos-xtrem/
TEST YOUR LEVEL
As always when we talk about suggested bike routes, we recommend that you make a realistic assessment of your fitness and technical level. With gravel bikes, it’s also important to take your bike’s characteristics into account, given the endless configurations available.
Although all the suggested routes are perfectly doable on a gravel bike, for the San Pelegrín or Monrepós Xtrem routes we recommend setting up your gravel bike for trail riding, with a wheel diameter suited to the needs of the terrain you’ll be riding on. Pay attention to the route sheets, the water points along the way, and enjoy your gravel trip through the Sierra and Canyons of Guara Natural Park.
And as always, if you go on any of our walks or visit the Sierra de Guara, do let us know!
