13 Activities
Towards the Bardenas Reales, Natural Park of Contrasts
Starts from
Zaragoza
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
13
Duration
9 hrs 10 min
Length
75 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Zaragoza
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
9 hrs 10 min
Length
75 mi
- Natural Attractions
- History and Culture
- Gastronomy
Flor Vallejo
Travel Expert
- Appreciate the out of this world landscape in Bardenas Reales.
- Contemplate the beauty of one of the most beautiful villages in Zaragoza.
- Visit the Monastery of Veruela and its wine museum.
During the route, landscape will change abruptly. The first stops are surrounded by a green colour that blends in with the rocks of the sierras. The monastery of Veruela and the curious well bear witness to this.
The surprise begins when you reach the Bardenas Reales. Its yellowish colour and the dryness of the soil, the result of the little rainfall throughout the year, transform the surroundings and create a landscape that has nothing to do with what has gone before. Steep ravines, curious rock formations and viewpoints mark the way along the circular route through this natural park. Are you ready to get to know it?
The surprise begins when you reach the Bardenas Reales. Its yellowish colour and the dryness of the soil, the result of the little rainfall throughout the year, transform the surroundings and create a landscape that has nothing to do with what has gone before. Steep ravines, curious rock formations and viewpoints mark the way along the circular route through this natural park. Are you ready to get to know it?
Categories
- Natural Attractions
- History and Culture
- Gastronomy
During the route, landscape will change abruptly. The first stops are surrounded by a green colour that blends in with the rocks of the sierras. The monastery of Veruela and the curious well bear witness to this.
The surprise begins when you reach the Bardenas Reales. Its yellowish colour and the dryness of the soil, the result of the little rainfall throughout the year, transform the surroundings and create a landscape that has nothing to do with what has gone before. Steep ravines, curious rock formations and viewpoints mark the way along the circular route through this natural park. Are you ready to get to know it?
The surprise begins when you reach the Bardenas Reales. Its yellowish colour and the dryness of the soil, the result of the little rainfall throughout the year, transform the surroundings and create a landscape that has nothing to do with what has gone before. Steep ravines, curious rock formations and viewpoints mark the way along the circular route through this natural park. Are you ready to get to know it?
Flor Vallejo
Travel Expert
- Appreciate the out of this world landscape in Bardenas Reales.
- Contemplate the beauty of one of the most beautiful villages in Zaragoza.
- Visit the Monastery of Veruela and its wine museum.
Day Itinerary
13 Activities
Day 1
75 mi0.9 mi
In the Footsteps of the Semi-desert Landscape With Ravines
Although the main purpose of the route is to visit the Bardenas Reales, there are places that serve as an apéritif to this landscape and that mix nature with history.
The first stop on the trip is the impressive Monastery of Veruela. Then, it continues to the vicinity of the Moncayo Natural Park to visit the Pozo de los Aines. One of the most beautiful villages in the province of Zaragoza, Tarazona, awaits you before you reach the star of this route, the Bardenas Reales. This park has a rugged, deserted and yellowish-coloured landscape that captivates everyone who visits it.
Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, a hat, and a sun cream because there is no shade along the route through the Bardenas Reales park.
The first stop on the trip is the impressive Monastery of Veruela. Then, it continues to the vicinity of the Moncayo Natural Park to visit the Pozo de los Aines. One of the most beautiful villages in the province of Zaragoza, Tarazona, awaits you before you reach the star of this route, the Bardenas Reales. This park has a rugged, deserted and yellowish-coloured landscape that captivates everyone who visits it.
Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, a hat, and a sun cream because there is no shade along the route through the Bardenas Reales park.
10:3045 min
Monastery of Veruela
An architectural marvel that holds a lot of history. Surrounded by walls, inside you can visit the church and the cloister.
For a time, the poet Gustavo Adolfo Becquer, his brother and the writer Victor Hugo lived in this monastery. Their works and lives are summarized in two of the rooms with exhibitions of the artists. The monastery forms part of the Becquer Route, which extends to other nearby places.
In addition, there is a small wine museum, which shows the importance of the wine industry in the region, treasuring the Denomination of Origin Campo de Borja. Not to be missed is the centuries-old vine in the olive groves in the monastery garden.
For a time, the poet Gustavo Adolfo Becquer, his brother and the writer Victor Hugo lived in this monastery. Their works and lives are summarized in two of the rooms with exhibitions of the artists. The monastery forms part of the Becquer Route, which extends to other nearby places.
In addition, there is a small wine museum, which shows the importance of the wine industry in the region, treasuring the Denomination of Origin Campo de Borja. Not to be missed is the centuries-old vine in the olive groves in the monastery garden.
10.4 mi
20 min
11:355 min
Car Park
Leave your car in this car park, located just a few metres away from the Pozo de los Aines. Take a brief stroll towards the well, the path is well signposted.
0.2 mi
5 min
11:4530 min
Pozo de los Aines
Due to a natural phenomenon caused by the subterranean waters, the rocky ground has sunk, forming a large well more than 20 metres deep with vegetation that has nothing to do with the environment where it is located.
The colour green emerges from the well with the presence of ferns and lianas, thanks to the special microclimate that resists in its interior.
The colour green emerges from the well with the presence of ferns and lianas, thanks to the special microclimate that resists in its interior.
3.2 mi
10 min
12:255 min
Car Park
You're about to visit one of the most charming villages near Zaragoza. Leave your car in this free car park right at the entrance to Tarazona. The historic centre of the village is only a five-minute walk away.
0.4 mi
10 min
12:4510 min
Hanging Houses of Tarazona
Tarazona is a pleasant surprise for many visiting it, as this village is not as well known as others in Aragón.
The houses hanging over the old wall, in what was once the Jewish quarter, are one of the distinctive features of Tarazona. The facades seem to balance on the wall so as not to fall down.
The houses hanging over the old wall, in what was once the Jewish quarter, are one of the distinctive features of Tarazona. The facades seem to balance on the wall so as not to fall down.
0.2 mi
5 min
13:0015 min
Plaza de Toros Vieja
Don't miss a visit to the bullring, where the circular structure has been converted into residential houses. The courtyard of the houses is the square itself!
0.2 mi
5 min
13:301 hr
Saboya 21
At Saboya 21, you'll find an excellent presentation of the dishes, good service and a wide variety on the menu. If you want to try Aragonese food, there are many options.
Among the menu, the wild boar meatballs, grilled Tarazona asparagus and duck salad stand out. Are you going to order something sweet? The carrot cake with chocolate and spices is a real madness.
Among the menu, the wild boar meatballs, grilled Tarazona asparagus and duck salad stand out. Are you going to order something sweet? The carrot cake with chocolate and spices is a real madness.
30.4 mi
50 min
15:3015 min
Castildetierra
The first stop in the Bardenas Reales will give you the reason why you should visit this semidesert site in Navarra, with its rock formations and steep ravines.
The earth castle is the symbol of the natural park. It's a rock formation produced by the erosion of the wind over the land and towering above the rest. Its shape makes it look more like a small volcano than a castle.
It is easy to get there as there is a car park right next to it. There is a short hiking route along the ravine called Barranco de las Cortinas.
The earth castle is the symbol of the natural park. It's a rock formation produced by the erosion of the wind over the land and towering above the rest. Its shape makes it look more like a small volcano than a castle.
It is easy to get there as there is a car park right next to it. There is a short hiking route along the ravine called Barranco de las Cortinas.
6.1 mi
25 min
16:1515 min
Juan Obispo Lookout
On the top of a ravine, this viewpoint is one of the main viewpoints in the Bardenas Reales and allows you to appreciate the landscape from above with its plains and mountain peaks.
You can drive up to the top or leave your car at the base and walk for about five minutes.
Be careful and do not go near the edges because of the risk of landslides.
You can drive up to the top or leave your car at the base and walk for about five minutes.
Be careful and do not go near the edges because of the risk of landslides.
4.4 mi
15 min
16:4515 min
Corral y Balsa de Zapata
During the circular route through the Bardenas Reales, a corral used for livestock farming can be seen.
Although these corrals are private, their respective owners are obliged to lend them to anyone who needs them to house their livestock.
A few metres from the Corral is the Balsa de Zapata, a pond that is home to birds, although it is only visible from a distance as it is military property.
Although these corrals are private, their respective owners are obliged to lend them to anyone who needs them to house their livestock.
A few metres from the Corral is the Balsa de Zapata, a pond that is home to birds, although it is only visible from a distance as it is military property.
4.5 mi
20 min
17:3030 min
Cabezo de las Cortinillas
Another of the viewpoints of the Bardenas Reales, where the green of the sparse vegetation blends with the yellow and ochre of the hills.
In order to climb, there are some steps that are not in very good condition, so be careful.
From here you can walk and climb other hills, always respecting the perimeter of the military firing range that covers the interior area of the Bardenas Reales.
In order to climb, there are some steps that are not in very good condition, so be careful.
From here you can walk and climb other hills, always respecting the perimeter of the military firing range that covers the interior area of the Bardenas Reales.
4.2 mi
15 min
18:1515 min
Bardena Blanca Lookout
After travelling along the 35-kilometre circular route, it is time to say goodbye to this landscape, which is more like the moon than the earth. You will find a notable contrast to the rest of the Navarrese region, where green and rain are the protagonists.
This viewpoint can be reached by car and allows you to appreciate the highest peaks from a distance. It is an ideal place to enjoy the surroundings.
This viewpoint can be reached by car and allows you to appreciate the highest peaks from a distance. It is an ideal place to enjoy the surroundings.
11.8 mi
20 min
19:001 hr 30 min
Bar José Luis
The circular route through the Bardenas Reales has whetted your appetite. The solution is to delay your return back home and make a stop at Jose Luis' traditional bar in Tudela.
It offers traditional pinchos and tapas, but their preparation, presentation, and taste are finger-licking good. Highlights include the poached egg with truffle oil and mushrooms, the stewed onions and the vegetable brochette.
Having enjoyed your dinner, it's time to head back home. The only thing left is to wash the car the next day because of the dirt accumulated during the visit to the Bardenas Reales.
It offers traditional pinchos and tapas, but their preparation, presentation, and taste are finger-licking good. Highlights include the poached egg with truffle oil and mushrooms, the stewed onions and the vegetable brochette.
Having enjoyed your dinner, it's time to head back home. The only thing left is to wash the car the next day because of the dirt accumulated during the visit to the Bardenas Reales.