Recommended Accommodation

Hostería de Guara – The gateway to the Guara's Sierra and canyons

Sierra de Guara: West Itinerary
Montearagón and Vadiello

Starting point: East of Huesca city, at the junction with the turning for Quicena.
Time: about half a day.

Turn off to Quicena where indicated and on entering the village follow the signs which indicate Montearagón to the right. It is usually not long before Red and Black Kites and Griffon Vultures appear. On the approach there may also be Fan-tailed Warbler and Quail near the greener fields, as well as Bee-eater.

Stop in the vicinity of the first sharp bend at the foot of the castle slope. In this exposed, rather barren-looking area  it is possible to find Rock Sparrow, Thekla Lark and Black Wheatear. On the sparsely vegetated slopes higher up there may be Spectacled Warbler and Dartford Warbler.

Park in the “castle” car park and take a short stroll around the half-renovated building to look for Blue Rock Thrush and Crag Martin. In late autumn and early spring the walls of the castle are sometimes visited by the dazzling Wallcreeper, while in the summer months the Black-eared Wheatear is rarely far away.

Head back to the N-340 by the same route and turn left in the direction of Barbastro and Lleida. After the first rise take a slip road on the right to cross over the main road and take the road to Loporzano. If interested it is possible to approach the area of influence of the River Flumen via a track which appears shortly on the left. This passes some farm buildings and then descends to an area by the river where one can see Golden Oriole and Wryneck .

Continue on to Loporzano (Rock Sparrow and Spotless Starling breed in the village) and beyond, towards Vadiello. The route between here and the river offers an interesting variety of birds including Woodlark, Cirl Bunting, Rock Bunting, Bee-eater, Hobby, Hoopoe, Quail, Bonelli's Warbler, Firecrest, Subalpine Warbler, Dartford Warbler and Tawny Pipit. In the rockier areas look for Blue Rock Thrush and Crag Martin. Park at the dam car park and, if you haven't seen them already, look for while some of the raptors that can usually be seen here including Lammergeier, Egyptian Vulture, Peregrine Falcon and Griffon Vulture. The dam itself is a regular wintering spot for Wallcreeper.