3 days in Hoya de Huesca, a captivating and diverse region
Monumental, historical and diverse, all this is Hoya de Huesca. One of the most valued regions of the beautiful community of Aragón, which has little by little managed to establish itself as one of the most attractive and loved destinations in the Spanish geography.
With Huesca capital as the center of the region, Hoya de Huesca occupies a space of 2,525 square kilometers and has more than 65,000 inhabitants. It also has very different landscapes that leave one breathless, as it is located between the pre-Pyrenean mountain ranges and the Ebro valley, and a great cultural offer. So this three-day trip suggested here has a captivating character and promises an exciting experience. Besides, it is made for all ages.
Cathedral of Huesca. | Shutterstock
It is a good idea to start discovering the region through its capital: Huesca. With 50,000 inhabitants, it is a peaceful city full of attractions. For example, its cathedral. It took three centuries to be built, but today it is the greatest example of Gothic style in the area. One cannot leave without discovering its main altarpiece, a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture.
From Gothic and Renaissance it is time to move on to Modernism. The Casino of Huesca, built in 1901, is the best example of it, a building that attracts locals and tourists. There is also place for Aragonese Romanesque, which has its perfect example in the Church of San Pedro el Viejo, one of the most visited monuments in the city. Its beautiful cloister, which also hosts a pantheon of Aragonese kings, was declared a National Monument in 1885. It is located in an old town that should be discovered slowly before leaving the city to discover the rest of the region.
Attention also to the walls of the 9th century, evidence that the Arabs passed through the place. Hoya de Huesca is, as you may have noticed, a historical region in which it is possible to discover the path left by the different cultures that have populated it. Throughout the length and breadth of it can be found prehistoric remains and also Roman traces, especially in the typical roads of the Empire.
La Sotonera reservoir at sunset. | Shutterstock
You have to travel a much more modern road to reach the next destination: the Alberca de Alboré, a lagoon that is part of La Sotonera reservoir. One of the main attractions of the Hoya de Huesca are its wetlands, ponds and reservoirs, which leave beautiful landscapes and have a great ecological value. It is worth to deviate and stop to admire it.
The next stop could lead to the Church of Santiago de Agüero, a Romanesque temple that was declared a National Monument even though it is unfinished. It is backed by centuries of history and covered by a monumental nature that feels even greater when you discover one of the natural treasures of the region: the Mallos de Agüero. A little more than half an hour by car, the visitor is surprised again when stopping in front of the Mallos de Riglos, surely the most popular. It is also home to a big colony of griffon vultures. This whim of erosion impresses travelers and is a delight for the dozens of climbers who dare to climb its vertical walls.
Agüero and its rocks. | Shutterstock
This first day can end with a visit to the castle of Loarre, a Romanesque dream. It is considered the best preserved in Europe and located in a privileged position. In fact, from the so-called viewpoint of the queen you have amazing views of the mountains and the plains, typical of the region. But the castle is not only about views. This jewel of the Romanesque built in the 11th century has several beautiful buildings in fantastic condition. So much so that Ridley Scott chose it to shoot his acclaimed film Kingdom of Heaven (2005). Once the traveler stops to spend the night in Bolea, it is not a bad idea to discover this place also through the director’s camera.
Interior of the Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor in Bolea. | Shutterstock
Spending the night in Bolea is a nice idea for two reasons. First, because you will discover, the next day and without hurry, this village with a rich history that stands on a hill, dominating the plain that extends around. The second reason has to do with its magnificent collegiate church. The collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor de Bolea is the most emblematic monument of the Aragonese Renaissance. Its main altarpiece, an impressive work that combines sculpture and painting, is worth mentioning. The latter were made by the so-called ‘Maestro de Bolea’ and have impressed the curious for centuries.
After leaving Bolea, it is time to discover the silence. This is the name given to the different routes that bring the traveler closer to the rock hermitages of La Hoya de Huesca. The Ruta del Silencio allows you to visit different temples that were built in medieval times along the pre-Pyrenean mountain ranges of the region, taking advantage of the particularities of the soil.
Precisely from Bolea starts one of the busiest: the one that, in three hours and a half of journey, leads to the San Cristóbal del Barranco Hermitage. This place is also an impressive viewpoint from which the details typical of the region can be appreciated very well. Near Bolea, in Aniés, hangs from one of the crags another important rock sanctuary: the Virgen de la Peña Hermitage. It is located in an idyllic enclave with incredible views over the Hoya.
Virgen de la Peña Hermitage. | Turismo Hoya de Huesca
This second day can be focused, therefore, on walking through the most attractive routes for the traveler. A total of six routes that run through different points help understanding the value of these hermitages and also of its surrounding nature. To mention another of the spectacular hikes, we can mention the one that starts from the Vadiello reservoir to the San Cosme y San Damián Hermitage, already in the Sierra and Canyons de Guara Natural Park. It is an alternative for all ages and reveals the Mallos de Ligüerri in a different way. The truth is that, it does not matter which one you choose, the experience will be positive, because the hermitages of the Ruta del Silencio join heritage, tradition and culture.
Moreover, it is necessary to be aware to other type of traces that remember the history of the place. For example, the ice and snow wells, where rainfall was stored for later use, or the underground cellars. Of ancient origin, they were excavated in the hills of population centers. Because, as it has already been said: speaking of Hoya de Huesca is speaking of history.
Impressive landscape of the Sierra and Canyons de Guara Natural Park. | Shutterstock
The third day in Hoya de Huesca can and must be saved for discovering every possible spot of the Sierra and Canyons de Guara Natural Park. This place is full of contrasts. That is why it is possible to climb the 2,077 meters that has the Tozal de Guara, and also discover deep abysses, such as the Grallera Alta, which descends to 280 meters deep.
In this natural park there are ravines, canyons and gorges. It is worth mentioning that there are four rivers that affect the ground: Flumen, Calcón, Formiga or Guatizalema. Thanks to it, it is possible to practice different sports activities, from canyoning to climbing. It is also one of the few places on the continent where you can watch the bearded vulture, a bird of prey, now endangered. Another special spot, almost hidden, is the Vadiello reservoir, with rocks overflown by birds of prey and with many routes to enjoy the silence and peace. On the way to Vadiello, the medieval watchtower of Santa Eulalia la Mayor is a spectacular viewpoint over the whole Sierra and the plain.
It is always a good idea to visit the church of San Miguel de Foces, a temple famous for the mural paintings that has inside. Ximeno de Foces ordered its construction in the middle of the 13th century as a family pantheon. It is located to the south of this awesome natural park and is part of the network of fantastic churches in Hoya de Huesca.
Loarre Castle, another of the great attractions of Hoya de Huesca. | Shutterstock
For its wide variety, its long history and the many cultural and natural attractions that has, Hoya de Huesca is the perfect region for all types of travelers. Ideal to explore it with the family, friends, as a couple or alone. The Aragonese kindness will make the trip more enriching and surely there is no need to remember the excellent gastronomy of the region. In spring, summer, autumn and also in winter, because the extreme temperatures respect the area, Hoya de Huesca is a great destination to disconnect, relax and enjoy.
