Family vacations in the Aragonese Pyrenees?
Here's an easy and kid-friendly route to dive into the Oza Forest.
Technical specifications
- Difficulty: easy.
- Length: 2.8 km (circular).
- Slope: 80 m.
- Travel time: 30 minutes (1.5 hours with small children).
- Start: Camping Selva de Oza.
- End: Selva de Oza Refuge.
- Date of completion (photographs): August, 2020.
Family trekking in the Oza Forest
Start of the route
If you arrive by car you can park in a huge parking lot next to the Refugio de Oza.
Heads-up: the building right next to the parking lot was closed and falling apart back in August 2023.
If you need to sleep in the area, you have a campsite a few steps further up, just from where this route starts 😉.
There is also some parking near the campsite (without entering it), so you can also leave your vehicle there.
In fact, the route starts from this point (you can see the exact location on the map at the bottom of the page).
First part of the trail
The first dirt and gravel path is so wide that even vehicles can drive on it (I wouldn't be surprised if the park rangers use it).
It climbs on a gentle slope protected from the sun thanks to the trees.
After about 1 km, the forest opens up to the right, allowing you to see the peaks of the Valles Occidentales Natural Park in the distance.
Intersection with the road to Acher Castle
About 200 meters further on you come to a crossroads:
- The gravel track continues in the center, but don't ask me where it goes because I haven't found its destination (nor was there any signage indicating it). Spoiler: this option is not the one you have to take, even if it seems the easiest way 😉.
- To the left a small trail climbs uphill towards Acher Castle (already on my bucket list for when I return to Selva de Oza).
- To the right, next to a photogenic wooden bench, descends the route that you must continue if you want to make this circular route.
Immersion in the pine forest
The trail enters the vegetation, dodging pine trees along a narrow and irregular path.
It is easy to walk through, but you will need to pay attention to where you step to avoid tripping over roots or slipping on the blanket of needles and pine cones.
GR-11 Intersection
500 meters later you return to a wide gravel and dirt road along which the GR-11 long distance trail from Oza to the Lizara refuge runs.
Here the choice is easy:
Return to Oza
Easily following the trail you will reach the zip line park integrated in the Oza forest and you can make a stop to cool your feet in the river before returning to your car.
Itinerary on Wikiloc
Do you want to follow this route on Wikiloc?
You can see the route on the map in this link.
What to bring
- Food: pack whatever you feel like eating during the excursion in your backpack. Some inspiration: fruit or nuts can be a good snack.
- Water: although the tour is short, carry at least half a liter of water per person.
- Sun protection: most of the trail is in the shade, but in the middle of summer it is always a good idea to wear sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.
- Clothing: light clothing and hiking shoes or sneakers.
- Travel insurance: if you are not a resident in Europe and if you want to travel without worries, book your IATI travel insurance through this link and get a 5% discount. They offer customizable coverage according to your needs and will pay all medical expenses in advance if you let them know in advance. I no longer travel outside Europe without them..
Where to eat
Next to the beginning of the trail you have the restaurant of the Camping de Oza where they offer a complete, abundant and tasty menu for 16-17 euros.
Be careful not to eat it just before the hike, because that amount of food will make you want to take a nap afterwards 😉.
You will also find the Costeros Bar a few steps from the campsite, where they serve midday meals.
Where to stay
In 2019 we made our first family trip to the Aragonese Pyrenees, so we needed a spacious house with 4 bedrooms.
We were looking for a quiet place with good views and enough outdoor space for our nephew to run around safely.
Do you know what I found? The rural house Borda Mateu, a few kilometers from Aragüés del Puerto.
I could fill a whole article telling you about how many hours we spent chatting and playing on their porch with a view, about the icy and crystalline pool with waterfall that we had just a few steps from our house, or about the kindness of Carmen, our hostess.
But I think it says much more the fact that the following year, when we needed to recharge our batteries, thirsty for nature and open spaces after a two-month confinement, the first thing we did was to return to Borda Mateu.
And it won't be the last time 🙂
Useful Links
- Accommodations near Hecho and the Oza Forest
- Camping de Oza
- Flights to Barcelona: Trabber, eDreams, Momondo and Vueling.
- Get 5% off when you purchase travel insurance with IATI.
Are you looking forward to more hiking? Take a look at these routes:
- Circular route through Montserrat: from the monastery to the top of Sant Jeroni.
- Montserrat route: funicular-Santa Magdalena-San Miquel-monastery.
- Salt del Salent circular route.
- Hiking route in the Alta Garrotxa: Beget-Rocabruna.
Map
Any suggestions to continue discovering the Selva de Oza and the Aragonese Pyrenees by hiking? I am all eyes for your comments 😉.