The Sierra de Guara is a world of possibilities. Deciding what to do here is no easy task: there’s such a wide range of experiences on offer that you’d need more than one lifetime to explore them all. So let’s make things a bit simpler. Ready to choose your own Easter adventure?
Does Holy Week mean contemplation, tradition and silence to you? Or… do you prefer to hang from a rope in the middle of a canyon and feel that rush of adrenaline with every descent? If the latter is your thing, you’re in the perfect place. The Sierra de Guara is a canyoning paradise, and the Basender Gorge is your natural training ground: a dry descent circuit ideal for honing your technique without the pressure of water. There’s no room for distractions here, just rock, rope and a fluid progression that will make you feel like a true expert. But if you’re more into exploration with a touch of mystery, the Barranco de la Virgen awaits you with its polished ledges and natural passages sculpted by time. A descent that combines canyoning and caving in a fascinating setting. And if, upon reaching the end, you feel you still have rope to spare (literally), you can continue on the Vía Ferrata del Espolón de la Virgen, which shares the return route with the canyon and adds an extra dose of adrenaline.
If your adventurous spirit prefers to defy gravity, there are countless endless options including via ferrata routes via ferrata routes and climbing. To get started without your legs making you shake too much, the Via Ferrata de Peñas Together in Bierge is the ideal starting point. But if the rock is your second home and you’re looking for challenges, climbing in Rodellar will put your endurance stamina with overhangs that induce vertigo, whilst Alquézar offers routes that are more accessible, particularly in the beginner’s introductory section of Castibián, and the added attraction of climbing in a setting close to its iconic medieval town centre.
You might prefer to explore the Sierra de Guara on two wheels. Mountain biking here is as varied as the landscape itself. If you’re the sort who devours the miles and wants to make the most of every bend, the Rally Routes are just the thing for you. Does the adrenaline of technical descents get you going? Then the Enduro Routes will make you feel like a real rider. And if you’re looking for a physical challenge, the Challenge Routes will put your stamina to the test. For those who prefer to cycle at a more leisurely pace, there are gentler options: Family Routes, Road Routes and Cycle Tourism, ideal for enjoying at a leisurely pace.
If you enjoy walking and exploring at a leisurely pace, hiking in the Sierra de Guara offers routes for all levels, always accompanied by history, culture and unforgettable scenery. You can follow routes featuring rock art such as the Río Vero II Route – Lecina, where you’ll visit prehistoric rock shelters such as those at Mallata and Barfaluy, cross the river via traditional crossings like the ‘escaleretas’, and pass by the chapel of San Martín right in the heart of the Vero Canyon. If you prefer villages steeped in history and tradition, the Stone Villages – Las Bellostas route takes you through almost abandoned hamlets such as Bagüeste, Letosa and San Hipólito, revealing the harshness of rural life and a heritage that has withstood the test of time. And if you’re looking for a more challenging hike, the ascent to Tozal de Guara from Santa Cilia de Panzano is the classic route par excellence: 23 kilometres of pure mountain terrain until you reach the summit at 2,077 metres, with panoramic views and natural stops such as the Fondarrés ponds or the Vallemona snow well.
If your compass points towards sensory pleasure, wine tourism in the Sierra de Guara is an experience that goes beyond wine. In the wineries of Somontano, every glass tells a story of vineyards and barrels. And if you’re travelling with children, don’t panic: there are sensory workshops designed just for them, where they can play with aromas and flavours in a fun way. On this bespoke wine route, you can visit Bodega Enate, Bodega Lalanne, Bodega Laus, Bodega Sommos, Bodegas Fábregas, Cabecita Loca Slow Drinks, Bodega Pirineos, Idrias and Viñas del Vero, each with its own personality and wine tourism offerings.
For those seeking peace and tranquillity, the Sierra de Guara is a natural sanctuary. In Santa Cilia de Panzano, you can enjoy one of the best spots for birdwatching, with the chance to see the majestic bearded vulture up close. And if you’re looking to travel back in time, the Colungo Rock Art Centre takes you 22,000 years back with its tours of prehistoric rock shelters and interactive workshops. But the story doesn’t end there: the Bierge Interpretation Centre will reveal the secrets of the Natural Park, whilst the Somontano Interpretation Centre in Barbastro is the best gateway to exploring the region.
If you’re looking for tradition during Holy Week, the Sierra de Guara offers processions steeped in history and with a character all of their own. In Barbastro, Holy Week is a Festival of National Tourist Interest and features eleven processions from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. The most impressive is the Holy Burial on Good Friday, when all the brotherhoods parade together to the sound of drums, bass drums and bugles.
In Adahuesca, the Way of the Cross to the Hermitage of Treviño brings the Passion to life with living tableaux, and in the evening, the Holy Burial procession winds its way through the village. In Alquézar, the procession of the Holy Burial begins with drums and Roman soldiers accompanying the Holy Sepulchre from the Parish Church of San Miguel to the Collegiate Church of Santa María. The brotherhoods of Radiquero, Colungo and Almazorre join this procession.
Holy Week in the Somontano region begins on Good Friday with the pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of La Carrodilla in Estadilla, where participants make the ascent on foot or by car and share a dish of beans with rice and cod. From Palm Sunday onwards, processions take centre stage in various towns. Following the processions, Easter Monday is a day for pilgrimages. In Barbastro, Berbegal and Azlor, the locals walk to the Monastery of the Virgin of Pueyo to attend mass and share a glass of Spanish wine. In Castejón del Puente and Torres de Alcanadre, pilgrimages are also held to their respective chapels.
Whatever your travel style – whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, with your family or with friends – the Sierra de Guara has the perfect adventure for you. Now all you have to do is decide: adrenaline, culture, nature, or a bit of everything? The choice is yours.
