The Guara Loop by Mountain Bike

The Guara Loop by Mountain Bike. There are still secluded spots very close to home. Places where you can cycle in complete solitude, experiencing a sense of adventure that feels utterly real, passing through rugged terrain alongside areas that, thanks to their beauty, are a must-see if you want to explore the Guara region. Today I suggest you cycle the full loop around Guara on a mountain bike or even a gravel bike. But I’ll also highlight the various waypoints so you can extend the route itself if you fancy adding a bit of technical difficulty to a ride that has absolutely everything. Fancy a ride around Guara? Let’s do it.

AN ADVENTURE ON WHEELS THROUGH GUARA

The route I’m suggesting from BGuara takes you on a complete loop around Guara, alternating between quiet roads, well-maintained tracks and the odd trail. That’s why mountain bikes, and perhaps gravel bikes in particular, are the ideal machines for this adventure. It’s just over 225 kilometres, which we’ve divided into 5 stages to make it more manageable and more enjoyable. You can do it all in one go if you’re up for the challenge, but you’ll probably suffer more and enjoy it less. It’s up to you!

STAGE ONE

The first stage of this mountain bike and gravel tour of Guara starts in Colungo, right on the border between the Somontano region, with its magnificent orchards, and the rockier, more rugged mountains. The stage, covering 43.5 kilometres with 775 metres of cumulative elevation gain, heads straight for Alquézar, an essential stop on any route through the mountains. From Alquézar, along narrow roads winding through olive groves and vineyards, we’ll head through Radiquero, Adahuesca and Alberuela de la Liena. We’ll pass through Bierge, with a stop included if you fancy visiting another must-see spot. After Bierge, we’ll head along another charming road to Panzano, a village situated at the foot of the Tozal de Guara, the highest point of the Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park, the end of this stage and the start of the second. If that’s not enough for you and you fancy extending the route, we recommend another stage: a loop around the Tozal from Panzano, a rugged 71.3-kilometre route with 2,400 metres of elevation gain, presenting significant technical and physical challenges.

Download the route for the first stage HERE.

Download the Tozal de Guara Circuit HERE.

SECOND STAGE

The second stage takes us from Panzano to Sabayés, in the westernmost part of the Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park. It covers 40.8 kilometres with a total elevation gain of 531 metres. We’ll finish the route next to the Salto de Roldán waterfall, one of the most magical spots, not just in the Sierra de Guara but in the whole province. This will be the last gentle stage along the southern face of Guara, although if you’d like to extend the route or explore the area in greater depth, you have the chance to tackle the rugged Peña Amán route, which is physically and technically demanding. It originally starts from the nearby village of San Julián de Banzo, although it is possible to begin in Apiés, just 3 kilometres from Sabayés. The route covers 25 kilometres with 900 metres of elevation gain and 34% of the route on trails. There are many other options in the area for enduro enthusiasts, so I encourage you to explore.

Download the route for the second stage HERE.

STAGE THREE

Between Sabayés and Nocito, we enter a region that was virtually depopulated 50 years ago, and there, time has practically stood still. You’ll follow old roads and tracks for just over 36 kilometres, with an elevation gain of almost 900 metres. And by the time you reach Nocito, you’ll be on the north face of Guara. As an extra or a nearby alternative, I suggest Monrepós Extrem. The name says it all, so if you’re curious, I’ve included the details below.

Download the route for the third stage HERE.

Download the Monrepós Extrem product sheet HERE.

STAGE FOUR

We’re in the final stretch of the Vuelta a Guara. On the fourth stage between Nocito and Aínsa, we head into the most authentic part of the region, crossing La Guarguera from south to north before reaching the mandatory stop in Aínsa after 60.5 kilometres and 1,000 metres of elevation gain. You need to be in top form to complete this stage, although in return, technically speaking, it will be much easier. And if we stop in Nocito, I must recommend our Guara Five Stars, a 31-kilometre route with 890 metres of elevation gain, suitable exclusively for enduro enthusiasts who want to truly discover this region where time stood still in the mid-20th century.

Download the information sheet for the fourth stage HERE.

Download the Guara Five Stars route HERE.

STAGE FIVE OF THE VUELTA A GUARA MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE

Don’t expect an easy final stretch, no. Setting off from Aínsa to reach what was our starting point, Colungo, you’ll have to cover 49 kilometres with 800 metres of elevation gain. You’ll pass through Guaso, Arcusa, the Eripol Pass, Almazorre, Bárcabo with its spectacular Vero viewpoint, the village of Lecina and its thousand-year-old holm oak, before shortly afterwards reaching the summit of San Caprasio, the final climb of this loop around Guara which, after a comfortable and enjoyable descent, will take you to Colungo. Fancy more? As a grand finale, I suggest the 163-kilometre route through Biello Sobrarbe, which you can start in Aínsa or Barbastro, whichever you prefer. Mind you, this will be entirely on roads, though there’ll be no shortage of paths and trails tempting you to leave the tarmac at every turn.

Download the route for stage five HERE.

Download the Biello Sobrarbe route guide HERE.

I hope this itinerary inspires you to come along. If you’ve already been to Guara, what routes would you add to the itinerary? See you on the bike!