Through the Sierra de Loarre

East of the Rio Gàllego, the Sierra de Loarre mountain range rises to a height of around 1,500 metres. It is covered by dense mixed forests, as well as evergreen maquis and barren plateaus. The Sierra de Loarre is sparsely populated, with a handful of more or less deserted hamlets. A paradise for off-road fans, then? You could say. The route that crosses the Sierra is very varied in terms of driving and offers a cultural treat with the Castillo de Marcuello and the Castillo Loarre, as well as a visual treat with the view of the Mallos de Riglios.

The approach is via the A 1206 from the town of Loarre. After around three kilometres, turn right and continue to Sarsamarcuello. Behind the town, a wide, harmless gravel track begins, which we follow. After five kilometres, the tower of the Castillo de Marcuello can already be seen, which can be reached via a short side road. The military facility was probably built around 1070 by Sancho Ramirez de Aragòn to secure the border on a prominent hill. The location up there is wonderful, the panoramic view is fantastic.

Shortly after the castle, we turn left at a junction and after one and a half kilometers we reach a lookout point just over 1,000 meters high with a fantastic view of the rock towers of the Mallos de Riglos.

Back at the junction, we continue on the main track, which is now gradually showing its harsh side - over the next few kilometers it is constantly uphill and downhill, rough scree and stone steps are the norm. The downhill sections in particular, with their narrow serpentines covered in coarse gravel, are no joke. You shouldn't venture up here without some off-road experience.

When the ruins of Castello Loarre appear in the distance, your pulse calms down again. On an impeccable track, we approach the magnificent complex with its ring wall and eight round towers. From up here you can see the entire Huesca plain. The gravel road ends at the car park in front of the castle and we reach the town of Loarre four kilometres below on asphalt.