San Blas Canyon

A beautiful family hike, not technical and well maintained. Located 15 minutes from Teruel on the outskirts of the village of San Blas. This hike allows you to enjoy the coolness of the Rio Guadialaviar, where you can refresh your feet in several places. Avoid the reeds, as I saw some snakes that were very happy to be there. Superb scenery all along the canyon, where you can navigate from one side of the river to the other thanks to a network of small bridges. Lots of coolness along the river, beautiful views.

Technical sheet

72374936
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.96 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 189 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 188 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,007 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 918 m

Photos

Description of the walk

After passing through San-Blas coming from Teruel, just at the entrance to a left-hand bend and the river crossing, you will find an access road on the right, which you should take slowly. There are houses here, so please respect the people who live there. Park in a small space overlooking the river.

(S/E) The very quiet path runs alongside an irrigation canal on the right and the river on the left. Footbridges span this small, very turbulent stream (early April). The walk is easy and very pleasant, with several places to dip your feet. The water is quite turbulent, with several rapids: it's cool and the atmosphere is very pleasant. I came across a few snakes that seemed to be enjoying the cool water.

(1) The path starts to get a little more complicated, with a few steps. You have a choice: to the right along the canyon, in the cool shade, or to the left, a quick climb up to the plateau, in the sun with views. Either way, it's a loop. If you take the lower route, you will have a beautiful staircase to climb, about 200 steps if I remember correctly; if you take the upper route, you will just have to go down it. The route takes the lower path.

(2) In this area, after alternating between the right and left banks of the river, the footbridge trail leads to a small via ferrata (equipment required). It's not too difficult, but high enough to break the bones of the reckless. There are also some climbing routes a little further on the same side of the canyon. Continue to the end of the canyon: in front of you, you'll see a small dam and hear the deafening sound of the waterfall.

(3) Now it's time to warm up your quadriceps. This is a beautiful spot to challenge yourself on a well-maintained but fairly long staircase: almost 200 steps. Once at the top, you will find yourself at the end of a long lake, the Embalse del Arquillo de San Blas. It is possible to walk around it. In summer, there are water sports such as paddleboarding and nice spots to spend some time.

The return journey is via the top of the canyon, a path that is not very clear but easy to find. To do this, you have to cross the dam, go around a building that is accessible by car, then follow the wide track.

(4) At a right-hand bend, leave the track and take a wide path on the left. At the end of this path, turn right onto a narrow trail that runs along the top of the canyon, offering beautiful views. A series of tight hairpin bends then leads back to the path you took on the way up and to the fork where you can choose between the lower or upper route.

(1) Continue to the right. At one point, you will have a view of the red canyon in the distance on your right. On the left, on the other side of the ravine, it is less pleasant: a huge gravel pit and its hills of waste completely disfigure the north face at the end of this magnificent hike. Continue along the same path in the opposite direction to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 920 m - Parking
  2. 1 : km 1.07 - alt. 941 m - Crossroads at the end of the loop, choice of route to follow
  3. 2 : km 1.99 - alt. 954 m - Via ferrata and climbing routes
  4. 3 : km 2.73 - alt. 959 m - End of the canyon, staircase
  5. 4 : km 3.75 - alt. 999 m - Leave the track, take the path on the left.
  6. S/E : km 5.96 - alt. 920 m - Parking

Practical information

It's very cool, with plenty of shade and lots of places to sit. Obviously, you won't be alone, as it's close to Teruel and well known to locals.

In the nearby area

Teruel is a very pretty little town with a beautiful, lively centre.

Albarracín is an hour's drive away and not to be missed.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.