Moderate
Aragon · Spain
- Distance
- 10.4 km / 6.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 484 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 53 min
- Mountain
- Castle and ruins
- Waymarked route
Barranco y cascada del Arquero
ModerateAragon · Spain
- Distance
- 5.0 km (3.1 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 673 m (2,208 ft)
- Typical time
- 2 hr 3 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- Point to point
- Highest point
- 1,454 m (4,770 ft)
About Barranco y cascada del Arquero
Barranco y cascada del Arquero is a 5.0 km hiking route in Aragon, Spain. It climbs roughly 673 m (2,208 ft) along the way, topping out at 1,454 m (4,770 ft). Most people take around 2 hr 3 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. It sits firmly in moderate territory: enough climbing to feel like a proper day out, never enough to become a slog.
The gorge section is the highlight, with rock walls close on both sides and the light changing by the hour. The waterfall is the centrepiece, and it runs hardest in the weeks after snowmelt or heavy rain.
Start and finish are in different places, which means public transport or a second car is part of the planning. The route is waymarked and marked on the ground with its own symbol, so navigation is straightforward in good visibility.
It walks well across three seasons, with spring and autumn offering the best combination of light, temperature and quiet paths. The nearest town of any size is Castelló de la Plana, about 47.7 km away, which is where most people base themselves.
In short, Barranco y cascada del Arquero suits regular walkers who want a full day without technical ground. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Moderate5.0 km673 m
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
Elevation
Elevation profile
- Ascent
- +673 m
- Descent
- −779 m
- High
- 1,454 m (4,770 ft)
- Low
- 918 m (3,012 ft)
The route in detail
The route is normally walked in the direction described below. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. The steepest pitch runs at roughly 45 percent, short but enough to slow most people to a crawl. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.
Highlights
- High point of 1,454 m (4,770 ft)
- Waterfall
- Canyon and gorge
- Waymarked route
- Waymarked and signposted
Know before you go
- Best season
- April to October
- Waymarked
- Yes, signed on the ground
- Surface
- Mixed natural surface
- Dogs
- Not recorded, check locally
- Wheelchair access
- Not accessible
- Entrance fee
- No fee recorded
- Camping
- Not recorded
- Drinking water
- Carry your own
- Toilets
- Not recorded
- Mobile coverage
- Generally usable
- Parking
- Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
- Emergency
- 112 in Europe, 911 in North America
How this trail scores
Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.
- Scenery
- 86/100
- Adventure
- 46/100
- Difficulty
- 28/100
- Accessibility
- 53/100
- Family
- 39/100
- Dogs
- 62/100
Terrain features, relief and photographic interest
Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is
Effort index from distance and climbing
Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it
Suitability for children who already walk
Access rules, terrain and water along the way
Tips from the trail
- Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and the quietest paths.
- Aim for april to october for the most reliable conditions.
- Go within a day or two of rain if you want the falls at full volume.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- Some sections are steep enough to be awkward in the wet, particularly on the way down.
- Narrow gorges flood quickly. Check the forecast upstream, not just where you are standing.
- Outside the main season expect snow, ice or closed access on the higher sections.
Safety
Emergency services in Spain are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.
What to bring
- Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
- Weatherproof jacket
- At least 1.5 litres of water
- Trekking poles for the descent
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
Photography
Bring a small tripod and a neutral density filter if you want the classic silky water, and shoot on an overcast day to avoid blown highlights. Take the shot on the way out. Conditions rarely improve by the time you come back past. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
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Trails near Barranco y cascada del Arquero
Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.
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- Distance
- 20.4 km / 12.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 966 m
- Typical duration
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- Elevation gain
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Hard
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- Distance
- 18.4 km / 11.4 mi
- Elevation gain
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- Typical duration
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