There can be no doubt that the main attraction of this impressive mountain range is the multitude of canyons - over 70 in total. These natural features have provided Guara with a high reputation in European sporting circles, and the area has become a recognised reference point for the sport of canyoning. However, there is more to the area than canyons and ravines. The area of Bierge for example has many cultural attractions that await discovery, such as its fiestas, monuments, chapels, villages, tales and legends.

The Sierra and Canyons of Guara Natural Park is one of the most important habitats in the country for those species of fauna and flora that thrive in a rocky environment. Due to this fact, the park is a true paradise for nature lovers. A stroll along one of the many paths may result in a glimpse of the majestic flight of the lammergeyer or the royal eagle. A visit to Guara also provides an opportunity to see some of its endemic botanical species and to discover a multitude of unique spots.

One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Guara is to head to the village of Bierge. Located between the pre-Pyrenean mountains and the extensive plains of Somontano, Bierge is worthy of a leisurely visit. Strolling in the direction of the parish church of Santiago, perched at the highest point of the village, you will notice many interesting examples of traditional architecture. Magnificent doorways and noble coats of arms adorn the buildings, hinting at the prosperous pasts of the families who once resided there.

Without a doubt, the most important architectural attraction of Bierge is the Chapel of San Fructuoso, which no visitor should miss.

Nature lovers should head towards the specially made hide, where it is possible to observe various species of birds, many of which come to eat at the “Feeding Zone for Birds of Prey.” Both the hide and the specially designed feeding area are the result of the hard work carried out by the Friends of the Vulture group and the Guara Park management.

Before leaving Bierge, you should also stop off at the Sierra and Canyons of Guara Natural Park Visitor Centre, where you will find a wealth of information regarding the most important natural and cultural features of the park.

Heading off from Bierge, there are two options that make up this route. The first of these takes you to the Salto de Bierge waterfall, via the A-1227, where you will find the start of the Tamara and Puntillo Springs Discovery Trail. This option also provides an opportunity to visit the interesting villages of San Román, Morrano and Yaso.

The second option takes you into the Sierra de Guara, by following the HU-341 minor road in the direction of the Valley of Rodellar. A well-signed footpath leads from the road to the shrine ofSan Martín de la Peonera, which is an ideal place to enjoy the wild beauty of the Guara. Take a moment or two to appreciate the isolation and mystery of this hidden beauty spot, and to imagine the history behind its tradition and legends.
Upon reaching the Rufas mountains, you will be rewarded with a splendid panoramic view of the Balcés canyon, one of the largest in Guara, and of the Sevil mountain range.
After passing through a dark and leafy forest of wild pine the first villages of the valley appear, being those of San Saturnino and Las Almunias de Rodellar. From the latter there is a gentle path known as the Camino de la Pedruel, which can be followed on foot or by bicycle. There are a number of informative panels along the way.
Continuing along the same road will bring you to the village of Rodellar, which gives its name to the valley. This beautiful mountain village takes great pride in its well-kept centre, perched above the deep and twisting Mascún gorge. Rodellar is the departure point for various thrilling descents into the nearby canyons, and for a number of gentler footpaths, such as the Route of the Virgen del Castillo. Another trail enters the Mascún canyon and heads towards the mysterious Losa Mora dolmen and the villages of Nasarre and Otín.

Routes associated to this:
 

- Route of the Virgen del Castillo
- Tamara and Puntillo springs discovery trail
- Route from Pedruel bridge to shrine of TrinidadRoute from Pedruel bridge to shrine of Trinidad
- Route over the Cresta de Balced
- The Real of Mascún: from Rodellar to Otín

The azure blue of the Somontano sky contributes towards the sense of tranquillity found in the southern villages of Somontano, and encourages a leisurely pace of exploration.  The land in this area is predominantly flat, which guarantees landscapes dominated by fields of grain.

This great plain is marked out by the Rivers Cinca and Alcanadre, and yet the villagers of the area have access to relatively few springs at ground level.  The great need for water, and an incredible ingenuity, gave the ancient people of this land the idea of constructing a unique system that would give access to springs deep underground.  This system of “pozos fuentes” translates as “spring wells.”  Each one consists of a series of galleries excavated from the rock of a deep well, which are reached by a covered flight of stairs.  Many of these are monumental underground constructions.

Perhaps the best-known well in the area is the Pozo Nuevo (New Well) in Laluenga, but there are many others such as those at Ponzano, Laperdiguera, Monesma and Lagunarrota.

The town of Ponzano is the starting point of this particular excursion, and is found on the N-240 main road not far from Lascelles. The spring well is found on the outskirts of the town. After this brief stop, the route continues towards Laluenga along the A-1225.  Just before you reach the town, it is possible to call at the San Roman de Ponzano chapel.  This was a place of great importance to the shepherds of the past, who would pray here during their travels.  

Laluenga centre is worthy of a lengthy visit as it is home to a number of attractions, including the Castro House, the spectacular New Well and the Visitor Centre of Somontano Spring Wells.

Leaving Laluenga, take the road that heads in the direction of Laperdiguera.  From the town square in the centre of the village, take the street that leads to the magnificent Casa Cavero.  By then following the same street to a point just out of the town centre, it is possible to visit another spring well with informative panels explaining its curiosities.

Moving on to Berbegal, a stroll around the old part of the village is recommended. The village affords magnificent views over the whole of Somontano and provides the visitor with a number of information boards with details of the more unusual elements of interest.  Berbegal is also the starting point of an interesting and historical route to the Santa Agueda Chapel and the Camino de Santiago.

Back in the car, take the road to Lagunarrota. This small village has a spring well similar to the one at Monesme de San Juan.

The final destination of the journey is the city of Barbastro, which is reached by following the A-1226.  

This adventure through the southern lands of Somontano will have provided you with just a glimpse of the attractions of the area.  Consider also visits to the towns of Barbuñales, Lacuadrada, Torres de Alcandre, Peralta de Alcofea, El Tormillo, Ilche, Morilla, Permisán and Fornillos.  For those people looking for undiscovered destinations and a taste of authenticity, these are a must for future visits.  

The north-eastern area of the Somontano region is framed by the gentle contours of the Salinas and Carrodillamountain ranges, with peaks reaching heights of up to 1000 metres. The slopes are populated with dense forests and criss-crossed with ancestral paths.

The ravines that rip down the hillsides hold waters that pour into the river Cinca, the great backbone of the territory. To the north, the rough waters of the Cinca come to rest in the El Grado Reservoir and then divide into a thousand channels that snake across the great alluvial plain.

The River Ésera arrives in Somontano here, sculpting a spectacular gorge in the Olvena canyon as it flows.

The powerful River Cinca will guide you throughout this excursion, as you visit little known places in the northeast of the Somontano region.

From Barbastro take the N-123 road towards Graus. After turning towards Costean, take the A-138 road towards France. Passing by the village of Enate, situated on an old fluvial terrace of the River Cinca, you will arrive at El Grado where you take the turning towards Naval. A drive of around eleven kilometres will bring you the noble village of Naval with its historic old quarter, said to be one of the most beautiful spots in Somontano. The collegiate church of Santa María (declared a historic monument) is well worth a visit, as is the Pottery Visitor Centre and the potter’s workshops.

Over the years Naval’s potters have supplied the people of Somontano and the central Pyrenees with their products. Salt production has also been an important economic cornerstone for Naval. To find out more about this ancient industry there is a simple and informative walk of around an hour in duration, known as the Camino de la Sal or Salt Route. The Rolda salt works alone has fourteen explanatory panels to help the visitor understand an element as common as salt.

Returning to El Grado, a stroll through the village streets will bring to light a number of defensive structures, which evoke images of ancient times. The village is also the starting point to the pleasant “ Ruta de los Árboles Monumentales” (Route of the Giant Trees) which highlights how these giants dominate the land surrounding the village.

Collect the car once more and rejoin the A-138, taking the turning towards our next destination of Torreciudad. Following this road you will soon arrive at the huge El Grado dam. The unmistakable silhouette of the Shrine of Torreciudad soon emerges, perched on top of rugged crags and overlooking the intense blue waters of the dam.

After a visit to this awe-inspiring centre of religion, it’s back to the road once again. Passing through Artasona, you will soon arrive in the attractive village of Olvena with its tightly packed centre and modest church. From this privileged place it is possible to take in wonderful views of the spectacular Olvena canyon, which was formed by the erosive waters of the Ésera river. The best viewpoint of the village is by the cemetery, a spot that overlooks the El Grado dam, the Pyrenees and the densely forested banks of the River Cinca.

Not far from Olvena lie two amazing bridges. Take the A-139, which links Barbastro with Graus, until the point where it crosses the River Ésera. Below the current bridge, the medieval Puente del Diablo or Devil’s Bridge spans the river. Within the same canyon and further on towards Graus, you will emerge from a series of tunnels to find a further surprise in store. Parking the car in a small area to the left of the road, a stroll of no more than five minutes along a marked trail will bring you to the spectacular Puente de la Sierra.

Our winding route between mountains and rivers finishes with visits to the old villages of Estada and Estadilla. From Estadilla you can access the Carrodilla Shrine and the Neolithic cave paintings of Forau del Cocho.
 

Routes associated to this:

• The Salt route
• Sierra de Estada route
• La Vida en el Carrizo route

Somontano produces wines of excellent quality due to an ideal combination of sunshine and rain; a plentiful land with centuries of tradition and the use of the latest technologies. The cultivation of vines originates in the Roman age and was of great importance to the monasteries throughout the medieval era. The region later became specialized to such an extent that wine production even determined the structure and distribution of the typical Somontano house. In the present day, it has become firmly established as an industry of importance.

Follow this route and imagine ancient landscapes; gaze at the mosaics of colour that change with the seasons and see how the natural environment has been tamed by the experienced hands of the local people.
 

It is not possible to define one single wine route in the Somontano region. The places worth visiting are numerous and are spread throughout the region, prime examples being the many excellent wineries and their vineyards. However, this simple itinerary can be followed easily by car and highlights the beauty of the Somontano landscape, where the vine is the main attraction.

The starting point is in Barbastro, the capital of Somontano, where visits to the Wine Zone and the Somontano Visitor Centre are both highly recommended. They are located side by side in the striking Complex of St. Julian, which is also the headquarters of the Regulatory Board of the Somontano Denomination of Origin (known as the D.O.) There is also a shop selling many excellent wines from the local wineries and a variety of handmade gourmet products.

Upon leaving Barbastro in the direction of Huesca, take the A-1232 road towards Alquézar and Salas Altas. As the road climbs slowly up the deep valley of the River Vero, the first vineyards appear, although vegetables and crops still dominate the landscape. Arriving at a crossroads, take the road towards Salas Bajas. This is the heart of the wine-growing area of Somontano as it was in this area that the first commercial production of Somontano wine took place. Some of the local wineries offerguided visits to their cellars and production areas.

The town of Salas Bajas will be your next destination. Here, the facades of the local houses display a number of architectural features, which highlight the age-old links with wine. The stone skirting on the facade of many houses for example, would have originally been designed to insulate the interior from any abrupt changes in temperature. This feature ensured an ideal place for the fermentation, storage and ageing of wines.

Next to the town centre of Salas Bajas, Enate winery can be found where guided visits can be made upon request.

The nearby town of Salas Altas also offers a number of points of interest, many of which are again associated with wine culture. As is typical of the region, a number of houses in the town were originally built with an opening in the stone skirting of the main facade. The recently harvested grapes were ‘posted’ through this small window and would hurtle down to the wine press in the basement of the house, in order to extract the grape juices. Once fermented, the wine was stored in the cool cellars.

Near here, two simple itineraries of around 12km each can be followed either on foot or on bicycle. They are called the Route of Candelera and the Route of the Vineyards, and are part of the GR45 network of paths within the Somontano area of Barbastro.Leaving Salas Altas behind, the route continues towards the settlement of Hoz de Barbastro, which promises an excellent panoramic view of the whole of the Somontano. The modern vineyards are undoubtedly the main feature of this extensive plain, and in addition, are the most important source of income for many families living in the surrounding villages.

Returning towards Barbastro vines continue to dominate the landscape, although oaks, almond trees and old olive groves also feature in this typically Mediterranean setting. In this area the towns ofMontesa, Cregenzán and Burceat can be found.

Of course the wine route does not end once back in Barbastro, as there are a number of wineries and vineyards to be visited throughout the region. The villages of Ponzano, Lascellas, Radiquero, Costean, Enate, Castejon del Puente, Monesma de San Juan and Estadilla, also have wineries of importance within the D.O. of Somontano. It is from places such as these that a variety of excellent wines are lovingly produced, which will be enjoyed by those with even the most demanding palate.