Free walking tours in Panticosa and what to see

Must-sees

Panticosa is a mountain village in the Tena valley, in the Pyrenees of Huesca. The old town has steep streets, stone houses with slate roofs and the church of La Asunción at the top. It is a peaceful place for an unhurried stroll, with the river Caldarés running beside the village and the peaks always in view.

A few kilometres up the road is the Balneario de Panticosa, surrounded by peaks over three thousand metres high. From there, routes lead to the Bachimaña lakes and other high-mountain tarns. In winter the village ski resort is the big draw. Before reaching the spa, the road passes through the Garganta del Escalar, a narrow gorge worth a stop.

Free tours and guided visits

In a village this size free walking tours are rare. Most people book guided visits and excursions in the area. The most common are hikes with a mountain guide to the lakes, snowshoe outings in winter and activities such as canyoning or climbing in summer. There are also trips to the rest of the Tena valley, for example to Sallent de Gállego or the Lanuza reservoir, and, with more time, to Ordesa National Park.

How long to spend

The village can be walked in one or two hours. What makes the visit worthwhile is the mountains, so it makes sense to stay at least two days. Spend a morning on the old town and the Garganta del Escalar and the afternoon at the spa. On the second day, hike to the lakes or, in season, spend a day skiing. If you stay longer, use the time to see other villages in the valley.

Where to stay

Staying in the village itself is the most practical choice. You have bars, shops and the ski resort close at hand, and the spa is a few minutes away by car. If you want total silence and early starts, the area around the spa is the other option, with trails at the door. Other villages in the valley, such as Sallent de Gállego or Biescas, also work as a base if you are travelling by car.