Environment and Activities
Alquézar and the Sierra de Guara are, without a doubt, a unique environment where you can enjoy nature. You can do many and varied activities.
We list you some of them!
Its strategic location, in the eastern part of the Pre-Pyrenees means that we have a unique micro-climate that guarantees smooth temperatures and long sunny days, which will allow you to enjoy fantastic excursions.
The offer of activities is very varied, ranging from easy walking routes or quiet walks through the medieval village to large limestone walls and spectacular ravines for lovers of climbing or adventure sports. Without forgetting the ornithological tourism with a great presence of rupicolous birds or ethnological tourism, since we are in the middle of the Somontano Denomination of Origin
Activities
HIKING
In Alquézar and its surroundings there are numerous mountain trails, very well identified and well maintained, which will allow you to know a good part of the Sierra de Guara.
There are routes for all levels and undoubtedly the most popular is the Ruta de las Pasarelas, which descends through the spectacular baroque of the Fountain to the bed of the Vero River. Where some walkways have been enabled to see the ravine in all its splendor and that make it has become one of the main tourist attractions of Alquézar
But from Alquézar you can make another series of excursions, no less spectacular such as the Route of Asque where you can see the Romanesque bridges of Villacantal or Fuentebaños, the route of the basas of Basacol and San Pelegrin, the exclusion to the ancient snow wells...or the excursions to the numerous caves of rock art.
Of all these and many more you will find information in the Tourist Office of Alquézar, however, here you will find more detailed information and you can download some interesting tracks
Canyoning and climbing
Thanks to its geology, the Sierra de Guara is a perfect place to practice canyoning and climbing. From beginners (Barrasil, Cañón de la Peonera, Oscuros de Balces, Formiga, Basender, Cañón del río Vero, ...) to the most expert ones to discover the wild nature (Mascún Superior, Gorgas Negras, Barranco Fondo and Gorgonchón...)
Guara has numerous very attractive rock formations for climbing, both in the area of Rodellar and Alquézar itself, where the Escuala de Montaña de Alquézar is located, where training courses for professionals and fans of this sport are offered
The sport climbing is a highly valued activity in this area. There are routes for all levels, from beginners to grade 9 routes that attract the most important climbers from all over the world
Another much more accessible way to get started are the vías ferratas of Bierge or Rodellar
For the practice of these sports it is advisable to contact the numerous guide companies in town:
TRAIL RUNNING AND MTB
The trails of the Sierra de Guara and Somontano are an incomparable place where you can practice trail running or btt in its multiple variables (trail, downhill, enduro...)
For 10 years, the first weekend of October is celebrated in Alquézar the Ultra Trail Guara-Somontano, http://utgs.es/ one of the most important races on the national scene, included in the circuit of the Spain Ultra Cup, and that has made many of the lovers of this sport come here to train in its spectacular routes
Undoubtedly its celebration has become one of the most important days of the year in our town
Its trails are also part of the Prepirenaica trail, which runs throughout the Aragonese pre-Pyrenees. Since as we say all the Sierra de Guara is marked with countless trails, which allows you to enjoy both trail running and mountain biking
Although most trails can be used to practice both sports, here we leave you a website for bike lovers, where you have routes of different levels, and where you will find both mountain bike and road bike routes that go through small mountain passes little traveled that will bring you closer to dream landscapes
For the practice of these sports it is advisable to contact the numerous guide companies in town:
ROCK ART
In the area of the Sierra de Guara, the environment of the Vero River hosts an extraordinary set of more than 60 shelters with cave paintings, of which Arpán, Mallata and Barfaluy can be visited with a guided tour and those of Chimiachas and Regacens can be visited on a self-guided tour
All the classic styles of European prehistory can be found: Paleolithic Art, Levantine Art and Schematic Art. In 1998 this universal cultural legacy was recognized by UNESCO with its inclusion in the World Heritage List and is part of the European Itinerary "Prehistoric Rock Art Trails"
We recommend that you do not miss the excursion to the shelter of Chimiachas, as it is one of the most beautiful excursions you can do from Alquézar. In it you will pass by the Basas de Basacol, see the coat of Quizans and descend through the spectacular baroque of Chimiachas, as well as enjoy magnificent views of the Vero river canyon, the Pyrenees and the Somontanos. Finally you will see the famous Chimiachas deer
In the nearby town of Colungo is the interpretation center where you can get more information about rock art and where children can get close and learn what life was like thousands of years ago
WINE TOURISM
Lovers of wine tourism are in luck because Alquézar is located in the heart of the Somontano D.O. The micro climate of Somontano with adequate sunshine and just enough rain is ideal for the cultivation of the vineyard. And this means that its vines produce grapes with a unique personality that will surprise you
Since its creation 30 years ago, the winery has been trying to capture the millenary tradition of the wine culture in this area, but always giving it a young and dynamic character, marked by the modernity of its wines and differentiation
This has achieved the recognition of its wines by consumers and the most prestigious wine guides in Spain. You can enjoy wine tourism through guided tours to many of its wineries, from the most renowned Enate, Viñas del Vero, Montesierra, to other more familiar ones such as the Alodia Winery, located in Adahuesca just 7km from Alquézar
We provide you with a guide where you can see the many visits and activities you can do:
ORNITHOLOGY
The Sierra de Guarra National Park is home to a great variety of birds, which makes it an extraordinary place for Ornithology lovers
The limestone walls of the Sierra de Guara, are used by many rock birds to nest, for this reason in 1989 was included in the network of Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPAs), being recognized as one of the main rocky reserves in Europe. Among all the birds, the majestic Quebrantahuesos, stands out, since Guara is one of the few places in Europe where this species still nests
Also, we must mention the presence of eagles, Egyptian vultures, kites, wallcreepers, and especially highlight one of the largest colonies of Crowned Vultures in Europe
Declared a Historic Site in 1992 and more recently named one of the most beautiful villages in Spain
http://www.lospueblosmasbonitosdeespana.org/aragon/alquezar )
It is located in a unique enclave on the Vero River Canyon, its Collegiate Castle sits on an imposing limestone rock and at its feet extends the crescent-shaped village symbol of its Arab origin
It is recommended to walk its narrow streets to see that they still maintain their medieval physiognomy, where you will find semicircular portals, eaves, balconies, coats of arms and the typical callizos (covered passageways that connect some things with others on the street)
You should not miss the most emblematic corners: the Gothic Portalón that gives entrance to the town, its irregular Porticada Square, the Ethnological Museum Casa Fabián or the Mirador O'Vicon from where you can see the Vero River. Strolling through its streets you will reach the spectacular Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor, which houses many treasures
It has its origin in the ancient Arab fortress of the ninth century and which today are preserved its walls and towers ... and later passed into Christian hands to be conquered by Sancho Ramirez in 1064
Since then, the passing of the centuries and the different artistic currents have left their mark, of the primitive Romanesque temple only the atrium decorated with original historiated capitals and the imposing carving of a Holy Christ of the XIII century are preserved. Later, in the 14th century, the Gothic cloister was built, taking advantage of and integrating the Romanesque arcades. The present church was built in Gothic-Renaissance style in the 16th century
Virtual tours:
Dates and events of interest:
- Patron saint festivities from August 11 to 15
alquezarferiadeartesania.wordpress.com
-Crafts fair and food and agriculture fair: