Easy
Aragon · Spain
- Distance
- 3.9 km / 2.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 86 m
- Typical duration
- 57 min
- Mountain
- Waymarked route
Desierto de Calanda
HardAragon · Spain
- Distance
- 26.4 km (16.4 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 1,098 m (3,602 ft)
- Typical time
- 7 hr 29 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Route type
- Point to point
- Highest point
- 836 m (2,743 ft)
About Desierto de Calanda
Desierto de Calanda is a 26.4 km hiking route in Aragon, Spain. It climbs roughly 1,098 m (3,602 ft) along the way, topping out at 836 m (2,743 ft). Most people take around 7 hr 29 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. Treat it as a full day out: the ascent is relentless in places and there are few easy escape points.
The terrain is arid and open, with almost no shade between start and finish.
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.
Plan this one outside the summer months: cooler air makes the exposed sections far more pleasant.
In short, Desierto de Calanda suits fit hikers with a habit of long days and an eye on the forecast. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Hard26.4 km1,098 m
Numbered marks every 5 km
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
Elevation
Elevation profile
- Ascent
- +1,098 m
- Descent
- −806 m
- High
- 836 m (2,743 ft)
- Low
- 386 m (1,266 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 67 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 836 m (2,743 ft)
- Desert
- Waymarked route
- Waymarked and signposted
- Over 1,000 m (3,281 ft) of ascent
Know before you go
- Best season
- October to May
- 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
- 64/100
- Adventure
- 63/100
- Difficulty
- 90/100
- Accessibility
- 19/100
- Family
- 10/100
- 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
- Start at first light. A long day is far more pleasant when you are not racing the sunset on the descent.
- Aim for october to may for the most reliable conditions.
- Carry at least one litre of water per two hours and avoid the middle of the day entirely.
- Break the route into stages and decide your turnaround time before you set off.
- Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.
Warnings
- This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.
- Some sections are steep enough to be awkward in the wet, particularly on the way down.
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
- Offline map and compass
- Head torch and spare battery
- Extra warm layer
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Real food, not just snacks
Photography
Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. 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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- Elevation gain
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