Situation
Sobrarbe
Station
All year round. Without snow
Duration (approx.)
45h
Difficulty rating (M.I.D.E.)
M: 2. I:2. D:2. E:3.
Type of route
Lineal
Elevation gain
+800 -800 m
BTT
95% ciclable
Car combination
No
History and Culture
Once Aínsa had been taken by the Christians, they expanded their borders southwards, establishing a defensive line of castles and watchtowers to protect the area and pre-empt a possible reconquest by the Muslims. Samitier Castle and Abizanda Fortress defended the Cinca Valley; Espluguiello Castle protected the area of the Asbe mountain range and the River Susia; Azaba Castle guarded the Vero basin; and, high above Sevil, Los Santos Castle covered the Balcés area. Today, many of these sites lie in ruins.
Tranquillity and relaxation are the hallmarks of this route, for although it lies within the Guara Natural Park, these landscapes have not yet been overrun by mass tourism.
In Paules de Sarsa we find the first of our treasures: the 16th-century church and its 18th-century paintings. A little further on is the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de la Nuez, a place of pilgrimage for thirteen neighbouring villages. Its miracles and legends are deeply rooted in the local culture. It is worth noting, on a negative note, that almost all its furnishings were burnt during the Civil War.
Almazorre is one of the few villages that has preserved almost all its urban heritage: a flour mill, an oil mill, a tile workshop, a scourge-making workshop, a 12th-century Romanesque church and a town centre that has remained almost intact for decades.
Next to Almazorre, we will also find an old lime kiln and the remains of charcoal pits.
On the way back, during the final stretch of the route, three Neolithic dolmens come into view: Dolmen de las Balanzas, Pueyoril and La Capilleta. Near the latter two stands the Hermitage of San Isidro, built in 1768.
Description
1- Paúles de Sarsa
2- Sta María de la Nuez
3- Las Cornalizas
4- Almazorre
5- Castillo de Azaba
6- Dolmen Basta de las Balarzas
7- Dolmen de Pueyoril
8- Dolmen de la Capilleta – San Isidro
1 – We’ll set off from Paules de Sarsa, following the road towards Santa María de la Nuez. The roads in this area are quiet, and it’s possible to walk along them provided you take reasonable care.
2 – We’ll soon reach the sanctuary of Santa María de la Nuez, and from there we’ll be able to see the village houses. We’ll continue towards them and, when we reach the last house, we’ll take a path that branches off to the left towards Almazorre.
3 – During this part of the route, we’ll walk alongside the River Vero the whole time. Halfway along this stretch, we’ll come to a junction; we’ll take the left-hand fork. We will gradually descend until we reach the riverbed, cross it, and continue uphill until we reach the top of the village, where the church of Almazorre stands.
4 – After visiting the village, we will take the path that descends on the side of the church, walk along a flat stretch above a ravine, and then descend to the riverbed to cross it.
5 – Once on the other side, we will pass an old lime kiln and, without leaving the path, we will reach the ruins of Azaba Castle.
6 – Following the path, which at times seems to turn into a track, we will reach the ‘Caseta de las Balanzas’ dolmen
7 – We will walk past the dolmen and continue without turning off until we reach a junction. To the right, we’ll head to the “Pueyoril” dolmen; to the left, to the “Capilleta” dolmen.
8 – If we continue straight on towards the road, we’ll come to the “El Coscollar” junction. Here stands the chapel of San Isidro. Continuing along the road, we’ll reach Paules de Sarsa.
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