Canyoning in the Sierra de Guara: 8+1 heart-stopping descents

The Sierra de Guara, a wonder of nature sculpted by time, is a labyrinth of ravines, canyons and caves of impossible shapes through which water flows at will. Not only her, but also man moves through this enclave of Huesca like a fish in its element, as canyoning is the star adventure of the place.

Sunset in the Sierra de Guara from Salto del Roldán

The English and Dutch were the first to discover its possibilities. It's been a while since seeing them walking around in swimsuits caused surprise. Today, the hundreds of ravines in the Natural Park of the Sierra and the Canyons of Guara (as it is actually called) are no longer a secret to anyone and have made this place one of the best in the world for the practice of Adventure activities. Among which canyoning stands out.

Snow lovers in Huesca travel to the Aragonese Pyrenees. If you are a river lover, you cannot rule out a visit to the Sierra de Guara. Put on your wetsuit and take note of the descents that I present below.

1. Vero Canyon: origin of canyoning

Probably, the most popular ravine in the Sierra de Guara.

Already in the 60s, a multitude of adventurers from all over Europe performed this descent, giving rise to the beginning of this sporting practice in Spain. It is a long route (it can take up to 6 hours), with a lot of flow at certain times of the year and without rappelling. It can be done by inexperienced canyoners, although it is advisable to be in good physical shape.

The approach is from Alquézar, a town dedicated almost entirely to active tourism. It is usually advisable to take two cars to leave one in the parking lot of this town (end of the descent) and take the other to Colungo. The second car is left in the parking lot 13 kilometers after Colungo, from where the track leaves to the start.

Alquézar and its surroundings

The first part is quite open. You will pass to the right of the Tozal de Mallata, a set of open cavities in the cliffs that house a good number of cave paintings. If you have the opportunity, don't hesitate to spend another day in the area to see them up close.

Now continue forward, as the narrowest part of the ravine begins, where you will find 4 different rock chaos. In canyoning, chaos is known as the accumulations of rocks from landslides that give rise to caves, jumps, waterfalls and natural slides.

If you have a camera, you will not be able to avoid taking it out during this part of the descent to obtain images of the spectacular formations. Sometimes, you will find yourself immersed in a real labyrinth; which leads me to give you one last piece of advice: do not venture into this canyon without the company of a guide who knows it well.

2. Mascún Ravine: the pretty girl

If you have ever seen a photo of canyoning in Guara, possibly from this canyon. Well, when it carries water, its images are incomparable.

Beautiful views from the Mascún ravine © Oriol Closas Sallent

However, this ravine is not one of the busiest, as it is one of the most demanding and technical in the place. The approach is also long. It takes 2 and a half hours to travel through the Rodellar valley to reach the start.

To access it, you have to descend towards the Virgen ravine and cross the Mascún river. Then, continue along the Andrebot ravine and, at the height of the characteristic formation of La Ciudadela, take the path to the left that leads to the abandoned town of Otín. After a few more steps, you must take a path to the right that reaches the starting point.

The Citadel © Neus

The descent itself can take you about 6 hours and is spectacular. During it you will find jumps, rappels (the highest being 20 meters) and an impressive landscape. When passing through the Otín area, the games of light and shadow will make you feel like you are passing through a dream space. To enjoy it at its peak, the ideal is to do the descent in spring or early summer.

In short, one of the best descents in Europe, although advisable only if you have experience.

Enjoying the canyon

3. Formiga Ravine: the perfect example

The Formiga is one of the busiest canyons in Huesca. A true canyoning classic in Guara which is also perfect if you want to get started. It brings together all the possible components of a descent, such as jumps, rappels, natural slides and siphons. And all of this is very accessible.

The approach is also easy. About 2 kilometers from the town of Panzano, in the direction of Bierge, you will find a curve to the left that crosses the Formiga river. There is a parking lot right there where you can leave your car. Then you just have to continue walking along the path on the left bank of the river until you reach the final handrail that takes you directly to the first rappel, just 4 meters long.

Guaranteed fun

The descent is short but very fun. After passing that first rappel, you have to put on your wetsuits, since the rest of the route is mainly aquatic. You will pass jumps, slides and some rappelling, the largest of which does not reach 8 meters. But if you don't dare to do everything, it also has some escapes.

This place is a perfect summary of canyoning and a safe bet to spend a good day.

4. La Peonera Canyon: fun in the water

It is the water park of the Sierra de Guara. It is a spectacular descent that ends at the Bierge dam, in the municipality of the same name.

Although access is complicated, the ravine is undoubtedly worth it. Almost 4 hours of continuous games await you, jumps into emerald pools, impressive slides and beautiful galleries. Since there are no rappels, the rope is not even necessary.

One of the pools of La Peonera

The descent can be divided into two well-differentiated sections: the Fornazos Straits and the Puntillo Straits. The first part is, perhaps, the most beautiful, with many highlights that will make you bring out the child inside you.

Halfway there, after passing the Tamara Fountain, you must leave the river and walk along the shore for a while until you reach the second part. Here you will find some of the highest jumps in the ravine, although they are not mandatory. The final surprise is an 8-meter jump over the Bierge dam, a unique way to say goodbye to the river.

The Bierge Dam

This descent is essential for summer, due to how aquatic it is. Be well informed before you go, because depending on the flow it can be dangerous.

If you want to complete your adventure with a different activity, in Bierge you can rent a via ferrata kit to take one of the many routes around.

5. Palomeras Ravine: short but intense

A good perfumer knows that small bottles hold the best essences. In the same way, a good canyoner never disdains a ravine just because it is short.

Having made this statement, it should not surprise you that the Palomeras canyon, the little brother of the Guara ravines, deserves a place on our list.

In accordance with the duration of the descent (approximately one hour) the approach is also short. It runs along the road that connects Arcusa to Colungo. You have to get to the bridge where Barranco de la Palomera is announced (kilometer 26) and leave the vehicle on the esplanade. From the same point there is a path that gives access to the canyon in 5 minutes.

The narrow canyon of Palomeras

The descent is relatively narrow and especially beautiful if it has enough flow. Therefore, it is advisable to do it in spring or after rain. You have to do 3 rappels, between 5 and 7 meters, interspersed with flooded areas. None of them involve too much difficulty, so it is a good descent to start with.

The adventure ends at the point where this ravine joins the Fornocal canyon, again under a bridge.

6. Portiacha Ravine: high-altitude rappels

Spectacular is an adjective that is too small to describe the Portiacha ravine.

The absence of water does not deter rappelling lovers, who here seek challenges at their height due to the two 30-meter-high vaults that must be descended in this canyon.

Access, once again, is via the road that connects Colungo with Arcusa. About 10 kilometers from Colungo you will find the parking lot that indicates the Portiacha ravine (not to be confused with the Vero ravine, located 3 kilometers ahead). From there you will only have to walk 5 minutes to reach the start.

Impressive fireplace

You will come across a spectacular crack that goes deep into the Earth. The first rappel, 30 meters, warns you of what is coming next. A descent between narrow corridors and small projections to reach the apotheosic finale: the great fissure that is lost in the immensity of the Vero River and that you must overcome by rappelling no less than 35 meters.

Who said fear?

7. Dark of Balcés: short, easy and splendid

This is how the Oscuros de Balcés ravine could be defined.

If you are one of those who puts the environment before the challenge, this is your descent. Both the nearby places and the ravine itself are places of spectacular beauty. A narrow valley where nature takes center stage.

Access is via the road that connects Bierge with Rodellar. After passing the Fondo ravine you will find a track on the right that you must follow for 2 kilometers and park before the fence.

Spectacular landscape around Rodellar

Then you have to continue on foot. After 5 minutes you will see a path that goes out to the right. You will walk along it for 10 minutes until you reach the Isuala River valley and, then, you will only have to go down. The spectacular scenery and the chance to see vultures fly nearby make the walk worth it.

The descent begins with a great chaos of stones that gives rise to the first rappel. If there is not much water, it can be avoided with a slide to the left. Then, a rappel over a 7-meter waterfall takes you to the narrow corridor and, to finish, a set of small jumps.

Narrow rock corridor

In total, 2 hours of fun in a magnificent environment.

8. Basender Ravine: among rock remains

The Basender ravine, a tributary of the Vero canyon, is possibly one of the best places to learn the rappelling technique.

It is a completely dry canyon whose route is made up of a succession of different rappels, none of which exceeds 15 meters. As it does not carry water, it can be done all year round and is a perfect alternative for the coldest days or when the other ravines have too much flow.

The approach is made from Lecina. In the town square, you have to take the route that leads to the rock paintings of Barfaluy and that passes through the medieval fountain of Fuendiós. After about 15 minutes of walking, the path descends to a dry riverbed, where you must continue until you reach the first rappel.

Exploring a different world © Oriol Closas Sallent

Going down the multitude of slides in this ravine and exploring its curious nooks, you can get an idea of the force with which the water flowed down there in the past.

To return, I propose a luxury alternative: the Las Escaleretas path.

Once you reach the Vero canyon you have to take the path that goes along its bank but, instead of crossing it, head towards the wall on the right. Las Escaleretas begins there, an old path that the people of the area used to abandon the orchards they had on the banks of the Vero when the flow grew. You will pass natural cornices, stone windows and even cave paintings until you reach the path that goes from Lecina to Barfaluy.

Cave paintings of the Sierra de Guara

The finishing touch to an unparalleled day.

Extra. Gorgas Negras: Guara's tough guy

If you've never done a downhill ride, you can stop reading here.

On the other hand, if you consider yourself an expert in the world of canyoning, the Gorgas Negras canyon is your opportunity to show what you are capable of.

The length of the route, the irregular terrain, the cold water... Everything makes it a really tough canyon, only suitable for people with very good physical condition.

The environment, however, is magnificent. Already on the approach (which can take about 3 hours) you will pass through emblematic places of the Sierra de Guara. Like the abandoned town of Nasarre with its beautiful Romanesque church or the Losa Mora dolmen.

Gorgas Negras: simply impressive © Oriol Closas Sallent

The descent is also spectacular, very aquatic, with numerous rappels and jumps into pools of cold water (make sure you wear a good wetsuit). In total, the route is about 5 kilometers, although you can lengthen it if you decide to combine it with the Barrasil ravine.

Prudence is always necessary, but in this case it becomes even more essential. You must be very aware of your physical capacity before deciding to do this descent. Furthermore, hiring a professional guide, who knows the terrain and will accompany you on the descent, is always a plus.

Ready for adventure?

If you want to continue discovering the rest of the ravines that await you in Huesca, don't miss this canyoning trip through the Aragonese Pyrenees. Four days enjoying your authentic passion.

[hr type=»line»]

Upload is an overrated verb. Nobody wants to be a lifelong intern, but it remains to be seen whether the director sleeps better than the warehouse boy. It also remains to be seen whether climbing is better than descending. Especially if the descent is carried out through the rivers of this mountain system of Huesca. Descending through them is both an experience and a life lesson, as it teaches that sometimes the peaks are not at the top.

[hr type=»line»]