Situation
Sobrarbe
Station
All year round. Without snow
Duration (approx.)
3h
Difficulty rating (M.I.D.E.)
M: 5. I: 3. D: 5. E: 3
Type of route
Lineal
Elevation gain
+450 -450 m
BTT
No
Car combination
No
History and culture
The Escaleretas de Gallinero, carved by hand into the rock, were built as an escape route in the event of sudden flooding of the River Vero; as in the 1950s the entire river basin, right up to the narrows at Los Oscuros, was used for farming and grazing; and since it was impossible to travel upriver to return home, this daring alternative was devised.
At times, local farmers found it extremely difficult to tend their fields or look after their livestock, as some of the floods lasted for several days. Climbing up and down the Escaleretas every day meant putting their lives in constant danger; some of them even stayed overnight in the rocky shelters on the banks of the Vero to avoid having to make such a long journey every day. These shelters were also used to store beehives, as their exposed position meant that animals could not reach them to steal the honey. Other locals also set snares in this area, mainly to catch martens; at that time, their fur was highly prized, and the scarcity of resources and post-war hunger sharpened their ingenuity.
In terms of the cultural aspects of the proposed route, it is worth highlighting the Mallata and Barfaluy rock shelters with their schematic art, the Romanesque rock-cut chapel of San Martín de Lecina, the viewpoint over the River Vero from La Portiacha, and the town of Lecina with its 16th-century church dedicated to St John the Baptist and its impressive thousand-year-old holm oak. All these elements will make the route a constant discovery of history, culture and nature – provided, of course, that you are accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide.
ITINERARY
1- Lecina
2- Río Vero
3- Barranco Portiacha
4- Abrigos de Mallata
5- Río Vero (ermita de San Martin)
6- Escaleretas
7- Abrigos de Barfaluy
8- Lecina
1- In the small village of Lecina, known for its millennia-old holm oak (holm oak in Aragonese) begins our route. From the very car park at the entrance to the village, a path runs between stone walls which winds down a19> stone walls which descends to the Vero River.
2- We will cross the river via the bridge, and we will take to the right the path which climbs up the steep slope and without leaving it, we will skirt the ravine of Argantín until we can cross it. Right at this point the path begins to climb, ending up on a clearing.
3- To the right there is a birdwatching point for birds, but our route continues along a track which leads to the side of the road (signposted); it is the only track visible from the clearing.
4- First uphill and then on a false flat, we will reach the junction of the slopes of Mallata. The path branches off to our right. Once we have visited them, we will return to the junction and continue straight on along a path which turns to the right and descends to the Vero river.
5- Upon arriving at river we will have to go upstream and cross it three times to reach near the Chapel of San Martin. Here the path is visible. We can head towards the chapel or continue along the path that runs parallel to the river.
6- Just before reaching the river, a marker on the left shows us the exact point where to start the ascent up the gully, first along a fairly vertical slab, and then the path becomes visible again, turning to the left. Climb up to some hollows which are bypassed on the right, climb up again and turn left; a natural window with a rope will give us the right clue. Once through the window, the path becomes clearer, leading us to the top of the hill.
7- A few metres further on, this path joins another much more marked one. If you wish to go to the Barfaluy rock shelters, take the path on the left; if you choose to return to Lecina, turn right. To return to Barfaluy, simply retrace your steps and follow the path to Lecina (signposted).
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