Camping in Aragon: the Pyrenees, desert landscapes and charming villages
Aragon is one of the largest autonomous communities in Spain and, at the same time, one of the least densely populated. That combination of space and few crowds makes it a prime destination for outdoor tourism. From Pyrenean peaks that rise above 3,400 metres to the almost desert plains of Los Monegros, by way of river canyons, foothill ranges and valleys of understated beauty, Aragon packs radically different landscapes into just a few hours' drive.
The Aragonese Pyrenees are the great draw for campers, walkers, skiers and climbers. Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, a World Heritage Site, unfolds a maze of glacial cirques, waterfalls and vertical limestone walls that are among the most photographed landscapes in Europe. The Benasque valley, at the foot of Aneto, the highest peak in the Pyrenees at 3,404 metres, has an exceptional choice of campsites and accommodation surrounded by high mountains, with direct access to hiking trails, glaciers and ski resorts such as Cerler. Further west, the valleys of Hecho, Ansó and Zuriza preserve stone and slate architecture, mountain cuisine and a tranquillity that is hard to find in other Pyrenean destinations.
The Pre-Pyrenees of Huesca add another dimension to what Aragon has to offer. The Sierra de Guara is a European benchmark for canyoning: gorges such as Mascún, Formiga and Vero are explored among turquoise pools, natural slides and jumps in a landscape of limestone sculpted by centuries of erosion. South of the Pyrenees, the Somontano spreads out in fields of cereals and vineyards, with towns steeped in history such as Barbastro, and further east the Bajo Cinca and La Litera already blend into the Ebro plain.
Teruel and Zaragoza complete a trio of provinces of great diversity. The Maestrazgo and the Sierra de Albarracín, in the province of Teruel, offer practically intact medieval villages (Albarracín, Cantavieja, Mirambel, Valderrobres) and landscapes of rocky crags and pine forests where silence is the norm. Los Monegros, shared between Zaragoza and Huesca, is a continental steppe unique in western Europe, with a surprising biodiversity of flora and fauna adapted to aridity. And the province of Zaragoza adds the Monasterio de Piedra, the Cinco Villas and the banks of the Ebro as complementary inland destinations.
Aragonese campsites cater for every kind of stay: tents, caravans, motorhomes, bungalows and, in the most modern establishments, glamping options with yurts or raised cabins. The high season is concentrated in July and August in the Pyrenees, while the rest of the region has a longer season, with spring and autumn especially pleasant. Aragonese cuisine (ternasco a la pastora, migas with chorizo, sautéed borage, Calanda peaches, Sarrión truffle and wines from Somontano, Cariñena or Campo de Borja) puts the finishing touch to every day spent outdoors.
