Overview
Length: 12.6km
Elevation: 436m
Type: Loop
Time: 1h 30m
Introduction
The whole idea behind this blog is to save you time so you can lace up your shoes and hit the trails, without spending hours searching for the perfect route. We’ve done the hard work for you: scouting out trails, testing them and making notes along the way. Honestly though…I love going back through our photos. It makes each trip feel even more meaningful. (Markus gets annoyed with me taking so many pictures because we’re supposed to be running…) It’s taking me a good few hours to write these up, so this weekend, I’m dedicating some time to catch up on a few recent adventures. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll add something like Amazon affiliates to make a little money, but for now, it’s all just for fun! Enjoy this amazing route!
About Albarracín
Albarracín is the kind of backdrop Disney would choose for a fairytale. It has stonking medieval walls that wind around the hills like something from a storybook…No wonder it’s been named one of the most beautiful towns in Spain again and again and again!
I fell completely under its spell. I pictured snowy winters there, huddled around a fire, roasting chestnuts while the (future) grandkids ran laughing through the narrow cobbled streets. I even wanted to buy a little place there! But, of course, Markus was quick to squash that dream. “How are we going to manage a rental that’s 3 hours away?” he said. “Will you seriously spend 6 hours in the car on a Sunday to deliver a fresh towel?”
In the end, Albarracín left us both a little melancholy. It was so magical, it almost hurt to leave.
We’ll be back! Not least because we chose a “beginner” trail that scored 10/10 for views…but was more of an all-purpose hiking trail than we’re used to.
The Trail Running Route
The trail we chose near Albarracín takes you right into Pinares de Rodeno. It’s a protected natural area famous for its red sandstone cliffs. Actually, the owner of our AirBnb, Pilar, told us that the Pinares de Rodeno is Aragón’s oldest protected natural area because of its cave paintings of bulls, deer, horses and hunters which date back as far as 6,000 B.C.
We didn’t actually know about these cave paintings. Originally we had planned a trail running route up to the Sierra Alta, which is the tallest mountain in the area. But we only had a day and I managed to convince Markus to change tack—excuse being, we’ll be back for the other trail!
The route itself is a simple and rewarding loop, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. You’ll pass by two stunning viewpoints:
- Mirador del Cabrerizo
- Mirador Pinares de Rodeno
Between the dramatic cliffs, the ancient paintings, the peaceful forest (and the interesting meal of “deer in escabeche” we had afterwards) it’s one of the most beautiful areas around Albarracín (and that’s saying something).
This trail may not be the longest or hardest, but it’s packed with beauty, history and charm at every turn.
Be warned: you’ll be sad you’re leaving!
The stunning medieval wall around Albarracín.
The Pinares de Rodeno viewpoint.
The Cabrerizo viewpoint.
Cave art featuring “toros”.