Moderate
Aragon · Spain
- Distance
- 5.0 km / 3.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 673 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 3 min
- Waterfall
- Canyon and gorge
- Castle and ruins
Sant Joan - Sant Joan por Monte Bovalar
ModerateAragon · Spain
- Distance
- 10.4 km (6.4 mi)
- Elevation gain
- 484 m (1,588 ft)
- Typical time
- 2 hr 53 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- Loop
- Highest point
- 1,619 m (5,312 ft)
About Sant Joan - Sant Joan por Monte Bovalar
Sant Joan - Sant Joan por Monte Bovalar is a 10.4 km hiking route in Aragon, Spain. It climbs roughly 484 m (1,588 ft) along the way, topping out at 1,619 m (5,312 ft). Most people take around 2 hr 53 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. Expect a steady effort with a few sustained climbs, well within reach if you walk regularly.
This is mountain terrain, and the scale of the surroundings is the reason to come.
The circuit closes on itself, which makes logistics simple: one car park, one round of 6.4 mi. The route is waymarked and marked on the ground with its own symbol, so navigation is straightforward in good visibility.
The route usually comes into condition in June and stays good until the first serious autumn weather. The nearest town of any size is Castelló de la Plana, about 41.3 km away, which is where most people base themselves.
In short, Sant Joan - Sant Joan por Monte Bovalar 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
Moderate10.4 km484 m
Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation
Elevation
Elevation profile
- Ascent
- +484 m
- Descent
- −484 m
- High
- 1,619 m (5,312 ft)
- Low
- 1,287 m (4,222 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 45 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 1,619 m (5,312 ft)
- Mountain
- Waymarked route
- Circular route, no backtracking
- Waymarked and signposted
Know before you go
- Best season
- June 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
- Patchy on the upper sections
- 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
- 74/100
- Adventure
- 44/100
- Difficulty
- 37/100
- Accessibility
- 50/100
- Family
- 38/100
- 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 june to october for the most reliable conditions.
- 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.
- 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 in the upper sections is patchy at best, so do not count on being able to call for help from the summit. 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
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
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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Trails near Sant Joan - Sant Joan por Monte Bovalar
Other routes within a short drive, ranked by distance from this trailhead.
Easy
Aragon · Spain
- Distance
- 6.1 km / 3.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 134 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 28 min
Expert
Aragon · Spain
- Distance
- 31.5 km / 19.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,054 m
- Typical duration
- 8 hr 38 min
- Mountain
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- Waymarked route
Hard
Aragon · Spain
- Distance
- 20.4 km / 12.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 966 m
- Typical duration
- 5 hr 52 min
- Pilgrimage route
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- Long-distance path
Expert
Aragon · Spain
- Distance
- 50.3 km / 31.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,106 m
- Typical duration
- 13 hr
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Moderate
Aragon · Spain
- Distance
- 8.6 km / 5.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 167 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 2 min
- Waymarked route