La Fuente del Paco in Villanúa

Version 2 updated on 30/04/2023

When the weather is bad in the Aspe Valley, it may be wise to go through the Somport tunnel and look for routes a little further south, where the sun may be shining. Here we present a fairly short, unpretentious but very accessible and frankly pretty (in our opinion) loop.
El Paco is the cooler, wooded northern slope of a mountain, covered here with a protected pine forest, and La Fuente is a spring (fountain).

Fiche technique

n°17088145

Creation:
13 Nov 2021

Last update:
02 Sep 2026

Last review:
06 Aug 2026

Activité: trace_mode_pedestrian
label_distance: 4.48 mi
Durée calculée: 2h 55
Difficulte: Facile
Retour point de depart: Oui
label_elevation_gain: + 994 ft
label_elevation_loss: - 984 ft
label_highest_point: 4,121 ft
label_lowest_point: 3,123 ft

Pays: Spain
Area: Pyrenees
Commune: Villanúa
Départ/Arrivée: N 42.682457° / O 0.532331°
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Photos

Description of the walk

Leave the main road (N-330) towards the village of Villanúa, cross the bridge over the Aragon, pass the entrance to the Cueva de las Güixas cave and park in the corner. The route is described from this entrance (or tourist office). Yellow and green signposts (rather sporadic).

(S/E) Take the street leading to the centre of the village (Camino de la Fuente), then Calle Mayor alongside the church. At the end, turn left onto Calle Santa Orosia. Signs indicate the destination: "Fuente del Paco". At the end of the street, take the path on the right, which is paved for about 50 metres before entering the woods.

(1) Take the well-marked path on the right, which climbs through a beautiful pine forest in a series of regular zigzags, gradually widening and becoming less steep. Enter a small valley in a wood with a variety of trees, where the pine gradually gives way to fir as the path becomes a stony track. Continue until you reach a small forest refuge overlooking a spring, which is the Fuente del Paco.

(2) Take the road on the left, cross a bridge and continue slightly downhill to reach a larger road.

(3) Turn left. Following this road is a bit tedious, but it allows you to better admire the panorama, especially the high mountains of the Aspe group and the Peña Collarada.

When you see a meadow on both sides, look for a clearly visible dolmen at the top of the meadow on the right. Leave the Trapa road and head for the Letranz dolmen. Just on the other side of the dolmen is a path (senda de la Trapa); follow it to the left.

(4) The path quickly leads to a fork in a small forest road. Look for the wooden sign indicating the way back to Villanúa. Follow this path, which crosses the same forest road several times. The vegetation is very typical and varied (boxwood and service trees).

(5) It is pleasant to follow the forest road at a hairpin bend, where there is an excellent viewpoint over the entire valley (Mirador de las Espeñetas). Simply return to the original path a little further down, still heading towards Villanúa.
Another dolmen is signposted on the left, shortly before reaching the bottom (dolmen de la Guïxas). (S/E)

Points de passages

D/A : mi 0 - alt. 3,136 ft - Tourist Information Office - Cueva de la Güixas
1 : mi 0.72 - alt. 3,491 ft - Path on the right
2 : mi 2.06 - alt. 4,121 ft - Turn left onto the road and cross the bridge
3 : mi 2.91 - alt. 3,983 ft - La Trapa Route
4 : mi 3.6 - alt. 3,773 ft - Senda de la Trapa
5 : mi 3.85 - alt. 3,510 ft - Towards the viewpoint
D/A : mi 4.48 - alt. 3,136 ft - Tourist Information Office - Cueva de la Güixas

Informations pratiques

Season: avoid this route in summer, as the dirt road can get very hot despite the altitude.
Equipment: trainers may be sufficient, but walking shoes will be more comfortable for the "shortcuts" on the descent.
Drinking water and basic shelter (forest refuge) at Fuente del Paco.
All shops in Villanúa.

A proximite

Take the time to admire the sculptures carved from fir tree trunks from this forest and enjoy the cool atmosphere of the place. A few information boards explain the history and significance of this site.
- Village of Villanúa
- La Cueva de las Güixas, a cave open to visitors.
- Ecopark, El Juncaral, in Villanúa – a recreational site for all ages.
- Explore the exceptional botanical environment of the Fuente del Paco.
- Several dolmens to see.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5

Based on 5 reviews

Fiabilité de la description
4.6 / 5

Facilité à suivre l'itinéraire
4.6 / 5

Intérêt du circuit de randonnée
4.2 / 5

Gisèle 94

06 Aug 2026 at 11:20 7200

Note globale : 4 / 5

Date de la randonnée : Jul 17, 2026
Fiabilité de la description : ★★★★☆ Bien
Facilité à suivre l'itinéraire : ★★★★☆ Bien
Intérêt du circuit de randonnée : ★★★★☆ Bien
Circuit très fréquenté : Non

Pleasant circular walk.

The climb is a bit steep to start with, but nicely shaded. It’s then very flat all the way to the fountain.
The area around the fountain is very nicely laid out for a picnic, with some interesting sculptures.

We came back via the other bank, but it’s certainly very sunny there and a bit of a slog (during a heatwave).

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bobca

08 Sep 2025 at 09:30 7200

In Spain, only GR® routes are well marked. Elsewhere, it depends on the municipalities. In Canfranc, there are numbered markers and signs, but not in Villanúa.

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Murielle Biez

08 Sep 2025 at 08:29 7200

Note globale : 5 / 5

Date de la randonnée : Sep 08, 2025
Fiabilité de la description : ★★★★★ Tres bien
Facilité à suivre l'itinéraire : ★★★★★ Tres bien
Intérêt du circuit de randonnée : ★★★★★ Tres bien
Circuit très fréquenté : Non

A lovely hike with beautiful scenery. Thankfully I had Visorando, as the signposting is practically non-existent.

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bobca

30 Jul 2025 at 18:25 7200

Thank you. Actually, with the heat, the road is a bit tough, and the path through the woods is easier!

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alex 1964

30 Jul 2025 at 18:16 7200

Note globale : 4.3 / 5

Date de la randonnée : Jul 22, 2025
Fiabilité de la description : ★★★★★ Tres bien
Facilité à suivre l'itinéraire : ★★★★☆ Bien
Intérêt du circuit de randonnée : ★★★★☆ Bien
Circuit très fréquenté : Oui

Before point 4, a dolmen appears on the right but there is no meadow on the left. Admittedly, there was roadworks, which may explain it...You can nevertheless descend via the forest road to the Mirador de las Espenetas. The highlight remains the climb to point 2 due to the intense heat (the climb is in the shade of the forest) and then at the bridge, where there are lots of small pools to cool off in!

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bobca

16 Jun 2025 at 17:30 7200

Thank you!

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jjd64290

16 Jun 2025 at 15:41 7200

Note globale : 4.3 / 5

Date de la randonnée : Jun 16, 2025
Fiabilité de la description : ★★★★☆ Bien
Facilité à suivre l'itinéraire : ★★★★★ Tres bien
Intérêt du circuit de randonnée : ★★★★☆ Bien
Circuit très fréquenté : Non

A very pleasant walk, mostly through the forest, with no difficulty. The village where the walk starts is also very nice and worth a visit.

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bobca

27 May 2024 at 18:57 7200

Thank you for your kind feedback!
For the Peña de Oroel, you have various routes of different lengths. Enjoy your hike!

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Lannemi

27 May 2024 at 16:50 7200

Note globale : 4.7 / 5

Date de la randonnée : May 21, 2024
Fiabilité de la description : ★★★★★ Tres bien
Facilité à suivre l'itinéraire : ★★★★★ Tres bien
Intérêt du circuit de randonnée : ★★★★☆ Bien
Circuit très fréquenté : Non

A short hike to warm up before tackling the Pena de Oroel loop the next day. A pleasant, easy walk with beautiful views of the snow-capped peaks and the recently built village of Villanùa below. The fountain, its 'totem', the information board and the dolmen are the highlights of this route. On the way back, be careful not to stay on the wide track but follow the recommendations on Visorando.

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