The surroundings

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9The surroundings of a natural park

A natural park

SIERRA DE GUARA

The Castle of Montearagón is located at the foothills of the pre-Pyrenean Sierra de Guara, along the course of the Flumen River, 6 km from the city of Huesca.

The Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Park, located in the province of Huesca, encompasses various areas in the regions of Alto Gállego, Hoya de Huesca, Sobrarbe, and Somontano de Barbastro.

This park, the largest of its kind in the region, covers an area of 47,453 hectares, with an additional protection zone of 33,286 hectares. Its geographical features range from altitudes of 430 meters at the Alcanadre River to 2,077 meters at the peak of Guara.

Due to its unique geology, the park is a popular spot for activities such as canyoning and climbing. The impressive gorges of the Balcés River, stretching over 20 kilometers with drops exceeding 800 meters, stand out, as does the Grallera Alta de Guara sinkhole, with a vertical drop of 277 meters.

The Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Park was designated as such on December 27, 1990, by the Government of Aragón under law 14/1990. Additionally, it is recognized as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) and a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA).

The landscape

geology and climate

The park’s geology is characterized by karst formations, with numerous features such as sinkholes, caves, hills, pits, and canyons, as well as vertical rock formations and underground galleries. The soils are primarily composed of limestone, contributing to the formation of river- and stream-eroded canyons and other karst structures.

The park’s climate is a blend of Atlantic and Mediterranean influences, due to its location between the Pyrenees and the Ebro Valley. This is reflected in the vegetation, which varies between the northern and southern slopes. The diverse soils and rugged terrain provide a wide range of ecological and biological resources, with plant species such as oak, pine, holm oak, and shrubs like boxwood and kermes oak. At higher altitudes, herbaceous species and endemic plants known as “rupicolous” can be found.

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Pre-Pyrenees

VIEWS FROM THE CASTLE

The landscape visible from the castle is immense. To the south, the Hoya de Huesca stretches out at the foot of the hill where the fortress stands, making it visible from many kilometers around. To the north, the castle is watched over by the peaks of the Sierra de Guara or the so-called Salto de Roldán: a rocky structure in the Pre-Pyrenees composed of two large rock masses marking the entrance to the Sierra de Guara and standing out like prows over the Hoya de Huesca.

The crags

San Miguel and Amán

These masses are the San Miguel crag, standing at 1123 meters, and the Amán crag, at 1124 meters, between which the Flumen River flows. This site is located at the western end of the Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Park.

Regarding its origin, during the middle of the Tertiary period, rivers transported gravel and pebbles from the Pyrenees to the Ebro basin. These deposits consolidated into conglomerates and were later sculpted by the rivers, creating columnar formations known as “mallos”. This process has resulted in a distinctive and robust relief in a predominantly limestone environment, as is the case with the Sierra de Guara.