Biescas between the Gállego Valley, culture and hiking trails
Accommodation in Biescas
Biescas lies in an ancient glacial valley through which the Río Gállego now flows. The river divides the town into the two districts of San Pedro and El Salvador. In Biescas, a clearly structured town layout meets a distinctive valley setting.
File:19th Century Fort near Biescas Spain - panoramio.jpg
Photo: agracier - NO VIEWS via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Other destinations in the travel selection include Piedrafita De Jaca, Sahún, Aísa, Canfranc, Benasque, Castejón De Sos, Hoz De Jaca and Villanova.
Culture and history
The parish church of El Salvador has Romanesque origins. Another historical landmark is La Torraza, which now serves as an interpretation centre. It focuses on the region's traditional architecture, historic crafts and the materials used in construction and other work. The history and life of Biescas in the 16th century are also covered.
At the edge of the rock in the Barrio de la Peña stands a group of buildings known as the Casas colgantes of Biescas. Remains of Biescas's medieval town wall can also be found here. A contemporary cultural highlight is the annual national amateur theatre competition Villa de Biescas. It was established in 2010, takes place from January to March and welcomes groups from all over Spain.
At the end of October, the Feria de Otoño de Biescas takes place. The event combines livestock exhibitions and livestock auctions with arts and crafts, performances, exhibitions and product tastings.
Nature and trails
The named geological formations include the Señoritas de Arás, also known as the Chimeneas de las Hadas. They were formed from moraine deposits, lie near the Barranco de Arás and are of great scientific and landscape value. The Señoritas de Arás can be reached via an easy circular family trail that begins in Biescas.
The Ruta Pelaire is an 11-kilometre circular route with an elevation gain of approximately 250 metres. It begins and ends at the Biescas tourist information office. It is also considered a mostly shady, very easy hiking trail for all age groups and is particularly recommended for families.
The Vía Verde del Alto Gállego offers a different type of trail: the short paved section is intended for all age groups, is used for short family outings and runs from Biescas to the mouth of the Barranco del Sía parallel to the Río Gállego. The different trail lengths and elevation figures, as well as the route's walking time of approximately two hours, provide a clear basis for comparison when planning your own day.
A hiking trail leads from Biescas to the Ermita de Santa Elena; the route is listed as taking approximately two hours. Yellow metal plaques of the Sendero Turístico de Aragón mark this trail. Santa Elena also has a beginner-friendly via ferrata suitable for adults and children.
Getting there and other activities
When travelling by road from Zaragoza, take the A-23 towards Huesca, continue on the motorway towards Sabiñánigo and then take the N-260 to Biescas. By bus, the connection follows the Zaragoza–Jaca route as far as Sabiñánigo. There, you need to change to a Jaca–Formigal route bus that stops in Biescas.
A tourist road cycling tour passes through all the villages in the municipality, begins and ends in Biescas and includes three mountain passes.
To the main travel overview: Huesca.
