a0336 - Alquézar River Vero and Pasarelas metal Walkways

This day activity is to explore the village of Alquézar and hike the famous Pasarelas del Vero 13km circular hiking route along the River Vero.

The Arabic name al-Qasr from which the modern spanish Alquézar derives means a castle, palace, or fortress. The town is named because it was founded around the hilltop Arabic fortress seen from Mirador Sonrisa al Viento overlooking Alquézar village and Iglesia parroquial de San Miguel Arcángel Church.

The route passes the historic streets of Calle Medio and Calle Pedro Arnal Cavero passing medieval houses with pedestrian cobbled streets through the town to the beautiful medieval village square to start the Pasarelas del Vero route.

A total of seven stretches of footbridge make up the descent to the River Vero. As you venture deeper, the splendour of the Barranco de la Payuala, characterised by its many small caves and a vegetation adapted to the damp and fresh conditions of the gorge. At the bottom you reach the River Vero. follow the river bank path right about 100 metres and you will find an ox bow bend in the river and Picamartillo cave. This is an incredible natural beuty spot, one of many along this route.

Follow the route along metal walkways on the right wall of the canyon passing an old dam and waterfall to the ancient hydroelectric station of Alquézar. Here also is pool of deep turquoise water that is an irresistible spot for a rest and a dip in warmer weather.

At Mirador de Vero is a metal platform suspended partially over the side of a cliff and gives excelent views of the landscape. Follow the path inland passing Molino d'Arriba abandoned stone water mill before getting to Puente de Fuendebañoso de Asque. The next third of the route is olive groves and will not be by the river so make sure you have aenough water for the arid section.

Follow the path to the right of the river upwards through dry arid shrubland. Along the way there are several natural viewpoint that give views of Alquézar. Follow this path called Camino de Puente de Fuendebanoso and continue along as it trnsitions into a rural farm track through olive groves. This path will take you to the village of Asque and the Iglesia de Santa Columba de Asque dating from 1885.

Leave Asque via the Camí a Asque road and follow Cami de Puente de Villacantal which snakes its way through the mountains untill Barranco de Lumos. This as another gorge that follows a mountain stream back down the the River Vero from a magnificant stone bridge, Puente de Villacantal, crossing the river. Behind the bridge is a natural stone beach and a great place to take a pause and swim in the river's natural pools.

Contine along the canyon top path as it gently ascends back to Alquézar. Along this path are wild mountain flowers and several natural viewpoints of the village.

Read about where to stay overnight, and my safety tips for completing this route on the Barcelona Travel Hacks website.

This route is day ONE of my recommended summer Weekend Getaway in Aragon Rivers I