Moderate
Aragon · Spain
- Distance
- 14.7 km / 9.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 322 m
- Typical duration
- 3 hr 32 min
- Waymarked route
Estels del Sud
ExpertAragon · Spain
- Distance
- 102 km (63.5 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 2,688 m (8,819 ft)
- Typical time
- 27 hr
- Difficulty
- Expert
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- 1,214 m (3,983 ft)
About Estels del Sud
Estels del Sud is a 102 km hiking route in Aragon, Spain. It climbs roughly 2,688 m (8,819 ft) along the way, topping out at 1,214 m (3,983 ft). Most people take around 5 days at a comfortable pace, plus stops. The combination of distance, ascent and exposure puts this at the top end of what a day hike can be.
It forms part of a long-distance path, so it links cleanly into multi-day itineraries. Tree cover shades most of the route, which makes it a sound choice on hot afternoons. The higher sections open out completely, with ridgelines stacking into the distance on clear days.
It is a 102 km loop, so you finish where you started and never repeat a section. The route is waymarked and marked on the ground with its own symbol, so navigation is straightforward in good visibility.
Spring through autumn is the natural window, and shoulder season means fewer people on the narrow sections. The nearest town of any size is Tortosa, about 19.9 km away, which is where most people base themselves.
In short, Estels del Sud suits experienced mountain walkers who are comfortable with exposure, navigation and long descents. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.
Route map
Expert102 km2,688 m1,214 m
Numbered marks every 10 km
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
Elevation
Elevation profile
- Ascent
- +2,688 m
- Descent
- −2,688 m
- High
- 1,214 m (3,983 ft)
- Low
- 298 m (978 ft)
The route in detail
The loop is usually walked clockwise from the main trailhead. 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 26 percent, short but enough to slow most people to a crawl. The upper section is where the route earns its reputation, and it is also where weather changes fastest. The return leg is the reverse of the outward journey, which makes it easy to judge remaining time.
Highlights
- High point of 1,214 m (3,983 ft)
- Forest
- Waymarked route
- Long-distance path
- Mountain
- Circular route, no backtracking
- Waymarked and signposted
- Part of a long-distance path
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
- 78/100
- Adventure
- 94/100
- Difficulty
- 100/100
- Accessibility
- 19/100
- Family
- 10/100
- Dogs
- 47/100
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 april to october for the most reliable conditions.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
Shoot the first hour after sunrise from the higher ground: the low angle picks out every ridge and the valleys still hold mist. Because it is a loop, the light changes direction as you go, so save some memory for the back half. 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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