Between summits and villages – magical Pre-Pyrenees Trail (GR 15)
Hiking Collection by Claudia Aguilar González
14
days
2-7 h
/ day
155 mi
43,175 ft
41,750 ft
Imagine a narrow and winding trail that seems to disappear into the forest. The trees shield you from the sun, which tries to sneak through the small gaps in the leaves. You move steadily, with the breeze gently cooling you down. You breathe in the scent of moist earth and pine. The forest conceals the landscape beyond, but you know it's saving the best for last: summits, valleys, rivers and waterfalls.
In the Pyrenees, the landscape is spectacular throughout the year. Walking through these lands feels like the soundtrack of an epic movie in which you are the protagonist. You'll ascend to incredible viewpoints, bathe in the rivers, sweat, laugh, cry, and immerse yourself in the wonders of this captivating land.
This Collection guides you along the Pre-Pyrenees Trail (GR 15) in 14 stages. It covers approximately 155 miles (250 kilometres) from Pont de Suert to Mount Algaraieta on the border with Navarre. Each route offers panoramic views as they pass through emblematic places such as the Añisclo Canyon, the Ibón de Plan, or the Echo Valley. You pass through the Ordesa, Monte Perdido National Park and Valles Occidentales Natural Park. Lastly, the imposing summits of the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park greet you from afar.
This adventure is ideal for people accustomed to walking long distances with steep gradients. You’ll hike through the high mountains so, although not every day involves summit climbs, you’ll need some experience and insurance.
I’d recommend undertaking this route between spring and autumn. By late May, the snow has usually melted and the fields are filled with flowers – an ideal time to visit. It's not advisable to go in winter, as some sections would be impassable. In any case, check the weather forecast before setting off to avoid unforeseen circumstances. The conditions are different every year depending on rainfall and temperatures.
Almost all stages end in villages where you can stay overnight. However, some nights you’ll have to camp or sleep in an unguarded refuge, so bring a sleeping bag, mat and everything you may need for cooking. In the description for each day, I’ll provide more details. Plan all overnight stays in advance and make reservations whenever necessary, especially during peak season. Also, carry multiple thermal layers and a waterproof coat. Wear sturdy boots with good lugs and use hiking poles.
You can reach the starting point, Pont de Suert, by Alsa bus from Lleida: alsa.com/en/web/bus/home. Lleida also has a train station, so it's easily accessible from anywhere on the peninsula. At the end of the journey, catch the bus from Ansó to Jaca. Check the schedules (in Spanish) here: sienteanso.es/index.php/eventos/2-uncategorised/12-servicios-valle. Jaca has train and bus connections.
Enjoy the green valleys, crystal-clear waters, monumental mountains and picturesque villages of the Pre-Pyrenees Trail. Have an incredible journey!
On The Map
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Last updated: October 30, 2023
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Tours
- 03:007.31 mi2.4 mph2,325 ft375 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
This long journey through the pre-Pyrenees lands begins with a stage of moderate distance and considerable unevenness. Before leaving Pont de Suert, stock up on water and food to spend the day and night.
The route runs along trails and dirt roads almost at all times, but there is also a stretch of asphalt…
- 06:2815.6 mi2.4 mph2,225 ft3,900 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
To start this great day with joy, I suggest you get up very early to watch the sunrise at the Isábena viewpoint. It is a small platform with formidable views of the mountains starring the Tozal de la Font. To get there you must undo the steps of the previous day.
After enjoying this wonderful visual spectacle…
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- 07:3214.1 mi1.9 mph5,850 ft2,925 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On this journey, instead of connecting directly with the GR 15, I encourage you to take a detour along the PR-HU 50 path. This allows you to travel through one of the great natural wonders of this journey: the Ventamillo gorge. The road that runs through this magnificent ravine offers more impressive…
- 04:297.90 mi1.8 mph1,925 ft4,675 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The GR 15 gives you a break today. Less than 13 kilometers separate you from your destination, Saravillo, a town in the Gistaín Valley bounded by large limestone formations. The positive slope is also affordable, but I recommend using trekking poles to face the more than 1,400 meter descent.
The first…
- 04:188.94 mi2.1 mph3,525 ft2,350 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The fifth stage picks up a run again with a route that borders on 2000 meters of accumulated unevenness. The distance is not too long, which means that you face significant ascents and descents.
As soon as you leave Saravillo, you begin to gain altitude to ascend to a viewpoint located between the San…
- 04:188.90 mi2.1 mph3,000 ft3,375 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
This stage once again has a powerful accumulated unevenness. Since the distance is relatively short, both the climbs and the descents are concentrated in a few kilometers, and therefore, they are very demanding. The Route runs along trails, gravel tracks and some sections of road.
One of the jewels of…
- 04:398.57 mi1.8 mph3,725 ft3,575 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
This stage runs entirely through the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, one of the most beautiful and impressive places on the Iberian Peninsula.
The distance is shortened again but the unevenness does not let up. In the seventh stage, both ascents and descents exceed 1000 meters. They are more concentrated…
- 05:0613.0 mi2.5 mph1,900 ft2,775 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The eighth stage, although it is a little longer than the previous ones, has a smoother slope. In addition, you are going to visit civilization again, so you have the opportunity to buy and replenish food for the next days.
This Route includes as many kilometers of footpath as asphalt. These roads are…
- 07:2415.3 mi2.1 mph5,425 ft5,450 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
This is probably the hardest stage of the Collection. It is not the longest, since it does not reach 25 kilometers, but the accumulated difference in level exceeds 3000 meters. Before leaving Broto, I recommend that you get provisions for the next few days.
Begin to ascend the comfortable ridge of Tozal…
- 03:438.87 mi2.4 mph2,975 ft450 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The tenth stage is perhaps one of the easiest of the Collection, since both the distance and the unevenness will seem affordable after having overcome the previous days. Of course, access to services is very limited. For this reason, I suggest you rent a rural house well in advance or prepare to bivouac…
- 06:3515.5 mi2.4 mph2,400 ft5,325 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
This stage challenges you with almost 25 kilometers of distance and a negative slope that doubles the positive one. In fact, to start the day, you have to face a descent of 670 meters that lasts for five kilometres. You go to Acumuer, a small town located on the banks of the Aurín River, which you must…
- 04:5711.6 mi2.4 mph2,625 ft2,275 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
This journey is coming to an end crossing the most northwestern region of Aragon: La Jacetania. In fact, it borders France to the north and Navarre to the west.
In this stage you enter the natural park of the Western Valleys, where the unique valley of Aguas Tuertas is located. This trip does not include…
- 06:1213.6 mi2.2 mph3,375 ft3,700 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
This demanding stage challenges you with a sharp sawtooth profile. You have to overcome about 1000 meters of ascent and the same amount of descent. So, lace up and get ready to give it your all on your penultimate stage!
This Route runs along trails and tracks, and only in the towns will you step on some…
- 02:376.10 mi2.3 mph1,950 ft600 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
You reach the final stretch of this great adventure. Today is different from the others, because although first thing in the morning —looking at the figures— it seems like a deliciously short and feasible journey, you should know that this Route is linear. That is, once you reach the end, to Mount Algaraieta…
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Collection Stats
- Tours14
- Distance155 mi
- Duration71:19 h
- Elevation43,175 ft41,750 ft
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