D3 : AINSA/CANYON D'AÑISCLO/SAINT-LARY

World Heritage Site

Head back towards Ainsa, just before going through Escalona, and follow the road on the right that goes back up through the Anisclo Canyon, towards Fanlo. The road goes deep into the canyon. Do not let the narrow road worry you, as it is one way only. After about 10k, a parking spot situated on a hairpin bend demarcates a trailhead, which with only 30 minutes walking leads to the Ermita de San Urbez (one of the most emblematic Saints of High Aragon), nestled in the cliffs.

Then back on the road until the next junction; head left towards Buerba. Stop for a moment at the mountain pass, to take in the fantastic view of the Anisclo canyon fault and Monte Perdido. Back to the road, and finish the loop at Puyarruego, where you can bathe in the natural river pools. Return then to the main itinerary at Escalona.

The Hermitage of San Urbez

From the parking follow the footpath, cross the superb Roman bridge over the Rio Bellos to reach the troglodyte hermitage of San Urbez. Return by the same route  • Length : 30 mins return.

A different return route (circuit): Keep going on the trail after the hermitage to the next junction (close to a spring). Leave the main path to descend to the left towards the Rio Bellos, cross the bridge and follow the trail which climbs opposite. Pass two viewpoints then descend towards the Rio Aso. Cross the footbridge and climb back to your departure point • Height gain : 100 metres •  Length : 1 hour return.

A walk into the Anisclo canyon: After the hermitage and at the first junction in the trail, close to the spring, follow the wide path opposite, which penetrates into the canyon, follow to the Sangons bridge. Return by the same route • Length : 1 extra hour return.

Waymarked trails.

Tella

7k after Escalona, aftre passing through Hospital, turn immediately left and follow the road which leads to the village of Tella, an ancient watchpoint over the valley, with one of the best panoramas in the Pyrenees: to the west, Ordesa and the Monte Perdido, to the east, the Pena Montanesa and the Cinca valley.

The Aragnouet Bielsa tunnel

Just 3 kilometres of tunnel separates you from returning to France and the high Aure valley, it is the valley of Saint Lary. You might not realise just how much altitude you have gained. The entry to the tunnel is at 1664m and you leave at 1821m. Look out for the many marmots in the roadside fields.

Evening and night in Saint-Lary

The Hautes-Pyrenees holiday shop proposes you a small selection of very favorite accommodations in Saint-Lary and surroundings. For more choices, contact directly the Shop to 05 62 56 70 00.

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Worth the detour

The Cap de Long dam

It is a monumental construction totalling over 100 metres in height, this dam is one of the largest water reservoirs of the Pyrénées. It is like a real fjord and is surrounded by the cliffs of the Pic de Néouvielle. There are 40 k of galleries dug into the mountain which allow the waters to be used by the hydroelectric power plant in Pragnère in the neighbouring Gavarnie valley. It took 7 years (1946 to 1953) and over 6000 workers to build this exceptional construction.

On the road down from the tunnel, after traversing Aragnouet, just before the Fabian hamlet, follow the D929 to the left, towards Cap-De-Long.

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