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The Sierra de Guara offers adventure, culture, traditions and fine dining, and is also the perfect place to enjoy a few days out with the family. And when it comes to families, for many of them their dog or dogs are part of the family. So the recommendations and suggestions I’ve summarised below are aimed at these human-and-dog families. At the end of the article, you can also find the Natural Park regulations.
Hiking with dogs in the Sierra de Guara
All of us who have dogs know the feeling of having to rule out places, visits, trips or outings because one of our family members is very furry and walks on four legs. That doesn’t happen in Guara.
It’s true that there are a few exceptions, but as a general rule, we can say that you can do just about any activity with dogs in the Sierra de Guara. The Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park is ‘pet-friendly’, so let’s get on with the suggestions.
Hiking with your dog in the Sierra de Guara
The Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park boasts hundreds of kilometres of tracks and trails where you can enjoy a spectacular walk. What’s more, if you choose wisely, some of these walks take you through very secluded areas, so you can also enjoy a natural spectacle that’s almost exclusively yours.
For obvious reasons, I won’t go into detail about those trails here – otherwise you’d stop going on your own – but it’s just a matter of doing a bit of research. In the final section of the links, I’ve included one with four suggestions that combine hiking, deserted villages and rivers. Is there anything a dog likes more than a good splash in the water when the heat is on?
The most popular walk in the entire Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park is the Alquézar footbridges, and dog lovers are in for a treat because you can take your pets along. You simply need to bear in mind a few factors, such as the terrain, your dog’s fitness level and the material the footbridges are made of. The terrain is rugged in places, particularly at the start; on hot days, the final stretch can be tiring for the dog (and humans), so you’ll need to bring plenty of water.
As for the walkways themselves, they are made of metal and have gaps in which, if the dog is small, it could get a paw stuck. You may have to carry them in your arms across the metal sections. It’s worth noting that some of the bigger dogs suffer from vertigo, and the experience may not be entirely enjoyable for them. Taking all this into account, the Alquézar walkways are a great experience for the whole family.
The best places to cool off with your dog
If you don’t fancy taking your dog along the footbridges, you can head straight to the place where dogs are absolutely happiest: the river. Near Alquézar you’ll find the Villacantal bridge; in Rodellar, the Alcanadre; and if you’re in the westernmost part of the nature reserve, you’ll enjoy the pools of the Palomeras ravine, in the Flumen, right at the foot of the rock formations that make up the imposing Salto de Roldán.
Canyoning with dogs in Guara
What if I told you that it’s also possible to go canyoning with your dog? Obviously, not all canyons are suitable for all levels, but if you’d like to try the experience with your dog, you can get in touch with any of our guide companies and they’ll advise you so that you can enjoy adventure sports with your best friend.
Canicross and bikejoring in the Sierra de Guara
Sports typically involving dogs such as canicross or bikejoring can be practised here under the same conditions as trail running or mountain biking in the mountains, which is why you should only take extra precautions a22> on days with high temperatures and on routes with a lack of a28> water sources or with water sources that tend to dry up in summer. Nevertheless, if practised in a regular manner any of these two disciplines surely will the issue of the temperatures and carrying water in abundance is not a problem for you all.
Which towns and places to visit with your pet
You can wander freely through all the villages of the Sierra de Guara; the only restrictions you’ll encounter are at certain private establishments and some heritage sites that do not allow dogs.
Visiting Alquézar is both possible and enjoyable if you take your dog along, as is exploring the incredible historic centre of the town of Aínsa, just a few kilometres from the northern part of the Sierra y los Cañones de Guara Natural Park. As a recommendation, particularly in villages and within the natural park, dogs must always be kept on a lead; in the former case to ensure harmony with other people and dogs, and in the latter out of respect for the wildlife inhabiting this area, much of which is protected due to its great value or scarcity.
Pet-friendly accommodation and businesses in Guara
The list of dog-friendly establishments in the Sierra de Guara is growing every day. In the links section at the very end of this article, you can take a look at the places where your dog is sure to be made very welcome, but bear in mind that there are more and more of them all the time.
If you have any questions about a place to visit, somewhere to eat or stay, or an activity, don’t hesitate to ask. You might be in for a surprise.
Tips for travelling with pets in the Sierra de Guara
I hope you’ll be full of ‘wow’ moments of surprise and joy during your visit to the Sierra de Guara, and don’t forget, you can share your experiences on social media using the hashtag #viveguara.
Walks through uninhabited areas with a dip in the river:
Negocios pet friendly en Guara:
https://turismosomontano.es/es/organiza-tu-viaje/viajar-con-mascota
Association dedicated to activities involving dogs:
Mountain Activities with Dogs – AAAC Aragonese Association of Canine Activities CanyonCan
Park Regulations:
