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Experience the untouched beauty of the Pyrenees Mountains

Discover the unique natural setting of Aragon

The Pyrenees Mountains offer a superb opportunity to pass through green countryside, climbing snow peaks and valleys of untouched natural beauty.

This area of high mountains is home to some of Spain's most beautiful landscapes.

Stretching from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees form a natural border between Spain and France. They separate the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of continental Europe, and extend for about 267 miles. These mountains are located in the north of the regions of Catalonia, Aragon and Navarre.

Whether your interest is hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, skiing or simply the desire for adventure, the Pyrenees are said to be "a wonderland to the holiday-maker". And if you really love mountains, castles and stone villages, then Aragon is the place to visit.
 

For centuries, the Pyrenees have been a natural and cultural watershed, and the history of the region is as complex and intricate as its topography. While great empires, kingdoms and cultural movements lapped at the base of the mountains, small pockets remain unaffected. The border as we see it today did not become fixed until 1659, with the signing of the Treaty of the Pyrenees.

During the Second World War, the Pyrenees Mountains were a natural escape route for allies. Escape routes were operated by Spanish farmers and shepherds, who had fled from their homes during the Spanish civil war.

The Pyrenees include the highest summits of this range:
 
 - Pico d'Aneto 11,168 ft,
 - Posets peak 11,073 ft,
 - Mont Perdu, or Monte Perdido, 11,007 ft.

There is something to do in the Pyrenees at all times of the year. Here you will find countless opportunities for outdoor pursuits. Snowfall permitting, the downhill/cross-country ski season gets serious under way in January, while spring sees high-level ski touring.

With the spring thaw, rafting and canoeing become practicable, and then long summer walking season begins in early June (also a good time for riding, cycling, and the more extreme pursuits of canyoning, hand-gliding and parachuting.

In the summer and the autumn, the Pyrenees are usually featured in two of cycling's epic grand tours, the Tour de France held annually in July and the Vuelta a España held in September. The stages held in the Pyrenees are often crucial legs of both tours, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to the region, too.

In autumn the crowds depart and the mountain trails are left to solitary walkers not afraid of the odd snow flurry.

 

The Pyrenees offer all that's best in walking: fantastic scenery, great places to stay, good weather and, above all, variety. Serious trekkers will relish the chance to seek out the unexplored valleys of the high mountains.

Those who prefer an easier pace can stay closer to civilization, enjoying the culture and history of the area through which they are walking. The Pyrenees can provide the best of both worlds.

If you like to break the day's trek for an hour or two, there are literally hundreds of perfect lakes in which to cool your feet or to swim. The ancient Romanesque churches are worth a visit in their own rights. The Pyrenees is a place where there is still scope to explore an area of untouched natural beauty.

In terms of Food & Wine, the Pyrenees is a voyage of discovery through distinctive languages and cultural zones in which unique products thrive. Over the years, the influence of surrounding areas has given the Pyrenees an exceptionally rich and varied cuisine. You will discover wine-makers cellars, educational trails, specialty restaurants, gourmet temples and excursion destinations.

ARAGON - DISCOVER THE UNIQUE AND NATURAL SETTING OF THIS REGION

Aragon Pyrenees forms the central region of Spanish Pyrenees in Huesca, in the northern Aragon province. Being so close to the mountains, it is ideal for Pyrenees summer trekking and winter skiing.

Covering an area of 18,424 sq mi and located in the northeaster Spain, the region's terrain ranges diversely from permanent glaciers to verdant valleys, rich pasture lands and orchards, through to the arid steppe plains of the central lowlands.

The Region of Aragon is an ancient land composed of three provinces: Zaragoza (Saragossa in English), remote Teruel, which is farther south, and Huesca.

Most of Aragon constitutes terra incognita for the average tourist, which gives you an exceptional opportunity to visit unique and untouched places. The old kingdom of Aragon, which is one of the most historic regions of Spain, prides itself on exceptional Mudejar and its Romanic architecture and traditions.




In folklore, Aragon is known for the "Jota", a bounding, leaping dance performed by men and women since at least the 1700s. Saragossa is the Aragon capital, and one of the most visited destinations in the region.

Aragon is home to many rivers—most notably, the river Ebro—Spain's largest river in volume.

Aragon's Pyrenees include splendid and varied landscapes with soaring peaks, deep canyons, dense forests and spectacular waterfalls. Its rugged peaks include the Aneto and Monte Perdido.

Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park, near the border with France, boast some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe with its canyons, frozen lake caverns, numerous waterfalls and varied wildlife, many species of which are endemic to the Pyrenees.

The park is also one of the last sanctuaries of birds of prey in the range. Many beautiful mountain butterflies and flowers can be seen in the summer, while during winter the region is a paradise for skiers.

The green valleys hide pretty villages with nice Romanesque churches and typical Pyrenean houses with flowers on the balconies. The oldest Romanesque cathedral in Spain is located in the medieval town of Jaca in the very northern part of Huesca Province.
 

Aragon provides exceptional conditions for practicing ski and snow sports. The snow in Aragon is a strong attraction: seven alpine ski resorts and nine areas for cross country skiing, with more than 170 miles of ski slopes.

Among the ski resorts in the Pyrenees in the Jaca-Huesca area is Candanchu, the most veteran of the Aragon Pyrenees. Next to the Somport pass, we find Astun, surrounded by mountains and protected from the wind.

Formigal, with its extensive hotel infraestructure, has the largest skiable area in all of the Spanish Pyrenees with four valleys linked together and a total skiable area of 90 miles and hosts several international competitions each year.

Panticosa is a family oriented ski resort that preserves the typical mountain traditions. The gentle climate, excellent snow and modern facilities make Panticosa a unique resort.

The most rugged is Cerler with its privileged natural surroundings. The resorts in the Iberian Mountains are close to Teruel, including Valdelinares, a beautiful landscape in the Sierra de Gudar for intermediate skiers. The newest member among the Aragon ski resorts is Javalambre.
 

This natural paradise is also ideal for all kinds of adventurous people.

Some suggestions:
Water sports in the mountains. The rivers, lakes and reservoirs in Aragon are perfect for windsurfing, sailing and kayaking in the heart of the Pyrenees surrounded by its high peaks.

   - Water skiing or canyoning in major gorges.
   - Swing from tree to tree at a tree-top adventure park.
   - Tyrolean traverse over canyons.
   - Enjoy the countryside surroundings by 4x4, quad bike or mountain bike.
   - Go paintballing or put your orienteering skills to the test in the forest.
   - Go paragliding over the valleys or take a panoramic helicopter flight.

In addition, there are powerful reasons why you should discover Aragon with your family.

-  The Pirenarium is a superb family attraction 16 miles away in Sabiñanigo. Explore the entire region of Aragon in just a few hours - 120 models of its best-known buildings and nature areas, all of them genuine works of art.

- Theme Park in Zaragoza, with 37 rides in all. Climb onto the roller coaster, venture into the house of horrors or hurtle your way down the rapids.

- Dinopolis, in Teruel, is the only place of its kind in Europe, recreates when the dinosaurs ruled the earth. Find out how these gigantic reptiles lived through a series of projections, virtual recreations, simulators, 3D images and games.

- The Escucha Mining Museum is another experience your children cannot miss. Your kids will travel in an old mine cart 656 feet below the ground, through a tunnel that leads to a real-life mine. Inside you will find a natural coal seam, the only one open to visitors in Spain.

In the region of Aragon you will discover an incredible setting that will excite you and your family in the years to come.