Castillo de Peñaflor

Situated in the Bardenas Reales desert, this castle is said to have served, according to legend, as a prison for Doña Blanca of Navarre, who is said to have refused the husband chosen for her by her father, Juan II of Aragon.

Details

29040747
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.60 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 289 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 315 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,198 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 928 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is at the Cabaña de Emilio Aguirre, on the north-western edge of the army firing range. There is space to park several vehicles off the track.

(S/E) Take the track heading west from a stone building. It follows the Barranco Grande and crosses it before heading north.

(1) Cross the Barranco del Vedado and continue to a T-junction.

(2) Turn left, heading west, then take the first track on the right heading north until you reach a triangular junction near a stone barn.

(3) Follow the track to the left towards the west; it then turns north towards Peñaflor. You will reach a Y-junction.

(4) Keep left and continue northwards to join a wide track.

(5) Turn right onto the path that climbs up to the Castillo.

(6) Turn back towards the track.

(5) Turn right onto the track, which makes a circular loop around the Peñaflor hillock and returns to the Y-junction you passed on the way out.

(4) Continue left until you reach the T-junction.

(3) Leave the route you have already taken and head left, towards the east, until you come to a track.

(7) Turn right towards the south, then ignore a track coming from the left and head back to the junction you passed at the start.

(2) Turn left and return to the car park via the same route you took on the way there (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 961 ft - Emilio Aguirre’s Cabin
  2. 1 : mi 1.27 - alt. 951 ft - Barranco del Vedado
  3. 2 : mi 2.42 - alt. 1,010 ft - T-junction
  4. 3 : mi 2.82 - alt. 1,053 ft - Triangular junction
  5. 4 : mi 3.21 - alt. 1,129 ft - Y-junction
  6. 5 : mi 3.38 - alt. 1,122 ft - Foot of the Castillo
  7. 6 : mi 3.49 - alt. 1,198 ft - Castillo de Peñaflor
  8. 7 : mi 4.77 - alt. 1,056 ft - T-junction with a track
  9. S/E : mi 7.6 - alt. 961 ft - Return to the car park

Notes

Magnificent in fine weather, this route is not passable in wet weather.

November 2022: please note that the OpenStreetMap places the castle on the hill further south, which is incorrect.

Occasionally, military aircraft firing exercises may provide a background noise that is not conducive to appreciating the site.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Bja
Bja

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A walk offering stunning scenery in this part of the Bardenas. The path is wide and suitable for bikes.
The climb up to the tower is short but steep and narrow; a bit of a let-down as the view is only 180°.
Make sure you follow the path carefully after the tower, as there are ravines and if you end up on the wrong side, you won’t be able to cross them.

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BenoitFranc
BenoitFranc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk in stunning surroundings.

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alpha40
alpha40
• Edited:

Thank you for your reply, that's very kind of you.

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tibouli
tibouli

Certain areas are off-limits to protect vulture nesting sites, but this hike was not affected when I did it. You can check on the park's website.

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alpha40
alpha40

Hello,
Has this hike been banned between June and September 2025?
I am going to Bardenas in May, and I would like to know if this hike is prohibited or not.
Thank you in advance.

1 September 2025 at 6:48 p.m.
This hike cannot be done because it is in a protected area and therefore prohibited in the Bardenas Natural Park.

2 June 2025 at 9:03 a.m.
Route tracked with GPS. Lots of different landscapes, very pleasant.

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jojo-telemark
jojo-telemark

This hike cannot take place because it is in a protected area and therefore prohibited in the Bardenas Natural Park

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Myriam031972
Myriam031972

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route tracked using GPS. Lots of varied scenery; very pleasant.

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tibouli
tibouli

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful hike in the sunshine, surrounded by nature in full bloom!!!

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valbis
valbis

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike, with magnificent scenery
A bit steep towards the summit, but you don’t have to climb it
It’s a bit of a shame about the last few kilometres along the track, but there’s no alternative!
I’d still recommend it!

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