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ROUTES BY THE SOMONTANO
Other routes:
Between Mountains and Rivers
The north-eastern area of the District of Somontano is framed by the gentle contours of the Salinas and the Carrodilla Mountain Ranges, with maximum heights between 900 and 1000 m, they are populated with forests and criss-crossed with ancestral paths.

The ravines that rip down their hillsides pour their waters into the river Cinca, the great spine of the territory. To the north its rough waters come to rest in the El Grado Reservoir, to be opened into a thousand channels across the great alluvial plain.

The river Ésera enters Somontano opening a spectacular, deep cut in the Olvena Canyon.

Routes associated to this:

1.- Camino de la Sal
2.- Santuario de Torreciudad
3.- Puente de la Sierra
4.- Puente del Diablo
The River Cinca is going to be our guide along this route, in which we will visit little known places in the northeast of the Somontano region.

From Barbastro take the N-123 road towards Graus. After the turning to Costean, take the A-138 road towards France. After passing by the village of Enate, situated on an old fluvial terrace of the River Cinca, we arrive at El Grado, and the turning towards Naval. Eleven kilometres further on, we stop off at the noble town of Naval with its historic old quarter, one of the most beautiful in Somontano. The collegiate church of Santa María ( historic monument ) is well worth a visit, as is of course, the pottery visitors´ centre, and the potters´ workshops.

Naval´s potters supplied a good part of Somontano and the central Pyrenees. Salt production has been an important economic cornerstone for Naval. To find out more about this ancient industry, follow the signed path
Camino de la Sal.

(Salt route), which takes about one hour. The Rolda saltworks has fourteen signs which help to understand an element as common as salt.

Returning to El Grado, we find that different corners of the village retain the defensive structures which remind us of past times. From here you can take the interesting " Ruta de los árboles monumentales " ( Route of the giant trees ), from which you can appreciate how these giants dominate the village.

Returning to the village we take the turning towards Torreciudad, our next destination, passing by the huge El Grado dam. Rising above the rocky shore of the intensely blue waters , the unmistakable complex of the
Sanctuary of Torreciudad is located.

After visiting this first-rate religious centre, we again return to the road, passing Artasona to arrive at the surprising village of Olvena. The houses are huddled together in a privileged spot from which you can appreciate the magnificent Olvena canyon, formed by the Ésera River. The best viewpoints are by the cemetery, from which you can also gaze at the El Grado dam, the Pyrenees and the densely forested banks of the River Cinca.

Going back to the car, take the local road towards the A-139, which links Barbastro with Graus. Stopping off at the bridge over the River Ésera, we find that beneath our feet lies the medieval
"Puente del Diablo" (Devil´s bridge). Staying in the magnificent Olvena canyon, we find another surprise further on towards Graus. After passing through various tunnels, there is a small car-park on the left from which a five minute walk takes us to the spectacular bridge "Puente de la Sierra".

Our route of mountains and rivers finishes by visiting the old villages of Estada and Estadilla. From Estadilla you have access to the Carrodilla Sanctuary and the Neolithic Forau del Cocho cave paintings.
Naval
Foto: Ignacio Pardinilla

Presa de El Grado
Foto: Mariano Olivera - Comarca del Somontano

Congosto de Olvena
Foto: Mariano Olivera - Comarca del Somontano
 
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