THE RIDE OF A LIFETIME

This is a wonderful, totally new, riding-tour from the North of the Sierra de Guara to the Mallos de Riglos, taking in the most outstanding historical sites and landscapes of High Aragón. A varied riding route, carefully selected accommodation with character and stunning scenery are the ingredients which make this horse trek an exceptional and unique riding experience.

Duration - 11 days with 9 days on horseback OR 8 days with 6 days on horseback.

B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner

DAY 1 Aubergue de Nocito D
Transfer from Zaragoza to Nocito, a tiny, isolated village beautifully positioned in the valley beneath the peak of Tozal de Guara which dominates the Sierra. In the evening, presentation of the trip-plan and the horses. Dinner and sleeping accommodation at the inn.

DAY 2 Casa Rural Gésera B L D
A day to get to know your horse and discover the Sierra with a ride from Nocito to the Barranco Bail for a picnic; we'll climb to the crests of the Sierra d'Ibirque and ride down to the village of Gésera for accommodation in a rural guest-house following a 5hr ride.

DAY 3 Auberge Navasa B L D
After riding through the typical villages of Grasa, Yespola and Belarra, we'll ride along the Rio Guarga as far as the opening of the Valley of Caldearenas, through which we'll head up north to the hostal in Navasa following a 5hr 30 ride.

DAY 4 Hostal Santa Cruz B L D
First we'll ride along the South slopes of the Peña Oroel, then westward through deep forests and up the Oroel Pass as far as the pretty village of Santa Cruz de la Seros where we'll stay at the hostal opposite the superb Romanesque church following a 6hr ride.

DAY 5 Hotel Monasterio San Juan de La Peña B L D
We'll start with a steep ride up to the plateau of San Juan de la Peña where we'll visit the famous 11th century monastery, jewel of Romanesque art in Aragón and cradle of the Kingdom of Aragón. We'll ride to the panoramic viewpoint of the San Salvador Hermitage for the picnic, and then back down again in the early afternoon to settle in the luxury hotel (4 star) recently opened in the 15th century monastery, at the heart of a protected natural area. Free time to visit the museum and enjoy the hotel facilities (a 4hr ride).

DAY 6 Posada de Villalangua B L D
We'll leave the Sierra de la Peña through the villages of Botaya and Ena and head for the labyrinth of Pardinas, a tangle of small valleys hiding numerous isolated and often deserted farms. We'll halt at the foot of the Sierra Santo Domingo, in a charming little country hotel called "La Posada de Villalangua", following a 6hr ride.

DAY 7 Apartment Agüero B L D
We'll ride round the deserted village of Salinas El Viejo and its deep gorge and across the crest of the Sierra at the dramatically beautiful La Osqueta pass. Then we'll head down the Southern slope to the amazing waterfall of San Felices and the village of Agüero nestling at the foot of its Mallos. We'll spend the night in apartments, following a 5hr ride.

DAY 8 Transfer B
The guests who have opted for an 8-day stay depart for the airport after breakfast.

DAY 9 Hospederia de Loarre B L D
We'll ride down to Murillo and across the wide valley of the Rio Gállego, and then, accompanied by griffon vultures, up to the famous Mallos de Riglos. We'll ride up to the 11th century castle which overlooks the broad plain of Huesca where the first King of Aragon launched the Reconquista of Spain against the Moors who had been occupying the Iberian Peninsula for several centuries. Accommodation at a very nice hospederia of the village, following a 6hr ride.

DAY 7 Auberge Arguis B L D
Over the pass of Los Pozos (snow-wells) we'll leave the Tierra Baja (low land) through the Sierra Caballera and ride into the sierras along the Gorge of Bocafoz, through the village of Bentué de Rasal, along the narrow valley of the Garona to the village of Arguis. Accommodation at an inn following a 5hr ride.

DAY 7Aubergue de Nocito B L D
An amazing panorama from the Sierra de Bones concludes this superb riding-tour along the crests of the Sierra de Belarra and down to Nocito where we'll sleep at La Mallata, following a 6hr ride.


DAY 11 Transfer B
Transfer to Zaragoza Airport after breakfast.