Gamueta Forest - loop trail

November 1, 2020: If we look at the Pyrenees, there is no doubt, we are in the middle of autumn. Despite the fact that the first snows have arrived and some trees have lost their leaves, the beauty of the forests cannot be disputed. One of the best places in the entire Aragonese Pyrenees to enjoy this time of year is the Gamueta Forest, in the Ansó Valley.
During the fall, the forests are transformed and beautiful dresses in shades of brown and orange dress the mountain trees. Within the Natural Park of the Western Valleys is Linza, one of the wildest corners of our mountain range. And here lies the Forest of Gamueta, a beech-fir forest considered one of the best preserved in the southern Pyrenees.
In addition, Gamueta keeps the largest group of monumental trees in Aragon. Among them, a large number of beech (faus), fir (abets), pine and yew trees, large in size that can exceed 300 years of age.
The route begins next to the Linza refuge, at the end of the Ansó Valley and after crossing Zuriza. We leave the car in the shelter's parking lot and take the path that starts at the bottom of it. We observe some indicative sign that leads us to cross a footbridge where we will start the route.
We cross the Petrechema ravine and turn right (if we continue straight we will reach the Foya del Ingeniero). Little by little we enter the forest and walk through a sea of ​​leaves. The fall colors still throb.
In a few minutes we reach the Achar del Caballo, a limestone rock hill with beautiful views that contains some sport climbing routes. Here some beautiful views open before us and we contemplate some of the highest peaks in the valley.
We continue the path, quite flat and always oriented by green and yellow markings. We cross several large beech forests and observe some centenary yew (magic tree for the Celtic tradition). We also alternate a meadow, a place of abundant grass that cattle enjoy during the summer months.
After a little over an hour walking we reached the furthest point on the route. We turn right and enter an impressive beech forest again. The path now descends quite steeply next to the Gamueta ravine.
A footbridge will allow us to cross the ravine and will leave us on a track. If we continue along it, we will come out again to the access road to the Linza refuge. Along the way we see some white fir, considered the largest living being on the entire European continent.
In total, the circular lasts 2h 45 ′ and is highly recommended for children, although we did it with our dog, Orion. It allows us to enjoy a tremendously beautiful and wild high mountain environment, where the purity of the place is breathed at every step. Enjoy it!