Know all about Aragones Pyrenees
Aragon Pyrenees is a mecca for Spanish mountains with peaks over 3000m. Its rugged terrain has been precisely the salvation of their landscapes, architecture and folk culture. Here you will find cultural and nature plans throughout the year, although winter is still the protagonist thanks to its ski resorts. Discover its essential 10!
1. Jaca, the capital of the Aragon Pyrenees
Jaca is much more than the starting point to explore the Aragonese Pyrenees, Huesca city also demands time, to discover its history, its monumental legacy and varied cultural offer. Go for a walk through the old town, one of the best preserved of Aragon, where it's amazing to watch its Romanesque cathedral and its pentagonal citadel. Also enjoy its good atmosphere and tapas in its bars.
2. Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park
The most genuine places of the Pyrenees are the Ordesa and Monte Perdido. The second oldest national park in Spain is dominated by the limestone massif of the Three Sorores and it houses amazing areas such as the Canyon of Añisclo, walls Cotatuero, Waterfall Soaso or Escuaín Gorges.
3. Canfranc Station
Very close to the border with France, the municipality of Canfranc is worth a visit for the International Canfranc Station. Built to connect France and Spain through the Pyrenees, and inaugurated in 1928 by Alfonso XIII, the station is inspired by the French palace architecture of the nineteenth century.
4. San Juan de la Peña
the Romanesque San Juan de la Peña: it's just outside the town of Santa Cruz de la Seros another beautiful treasure hidden in the Aragonese Pyrenees. It was the highlight of Aragon monastery in the Middle Ages and their situation is very unique because it is under a large rock. A large number of Aragonese kings were buried in the Royal Pantheon and the temple is part of the Camino de Santiago.
5. Benasque Valley
Benasque Valley is the steepest and one of the most beautiful in the Pyrenees. It is surrounded by the highest concentration of peaks over 3,000 m, one of them is the Aneto peak. Its many rivers, lakes and forests delights nature lovers, but also houses a rich architecture, Romanesque churches and well-rooted traditions in villages like Benasque, Cerler, Laspaúles or Villanova.
6. Western Valley's Natural Park
In the Natural Park of the Western Valleys the vegetation is wet and fresh, so we can see large areas of beech, fir, black pine forests and yew, and the Selva de Oza. They are also a must, the stops of Aísa villages, Fact and Ansó, with its stone houses and traditional conical chimneys.
7. Baths of Panticosa
The biggest tourist attraction of Panticosa, in the region of Alto Gállego, is its famous thermal spa. Located in the Valle de Tena, with 1630 m altitude, the spa is a place for rest and well-being, a natural lake that collects water from the streams that descend from the heights.
8. Route of Serrabo Churches
Another cultural plan is the Route of the Serrablo Mozarabic churches, around the upper course of the river Gállego, near the town of Sabiñánigo. This is a set of 14 medieval and right-angled churches, semicircular or rectangular apse, and the presence of a bell tower. For example, the church of Santa Eulalia de Oros Bajo, the church of San Pedro de Lasieso or the chapel of St. Bartholomew of Gavín.
9. Slipping by the snow
When winter comes in the snowy white Aragonese Pyrenees, many skiers, snowboarders and other winter sports enthusiasts settle down here. Enjoy skiing, sledding, snowshoeing or skating in Astun, Candanchu, Cerler, Panticosa and Formigal.
10. Altitude Food
Aragonese Pyrenees cuisine consists of simple but hearty dishes, in order to withstand the cold. This high mountain cuisine is dominated by meat, sausages; vegetables and mushrooms. Among the most popular recipes include pastor crumbs, lamb from the oven, the chiretas, the chicken stew, thistle with almonds and pine nuts sauce or cod ajoarriero.