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).

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.20 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 303 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 300 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,256 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 952 m

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)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 956 m - Tourist office - Cueva de la Güixas
  2. 1 : km 1.15 - alt. 1,064 m - Right-hand trail
  3. 2 : km 3.31 - alt. 1,256 m - Road on the left and bridge
  4. 3 : km 4.68 - alt. 1,214 m - La Trapa route
  5. 4 : km 5.8 - alt. 1,150 m - Senda de la Trapa
  6. 5 : km 6.2 - alt. 1,070 m - Towards the viewpoint
  7. S/E : km 7.2 - alt. 956 m - Tourist office - Cueva de la Güixas

Notes

  • 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.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
bobca
bobca

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
Murielle Biez

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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

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bobca
bobca

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
alex 1964

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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
bobca

Thank you!

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jjd64290
jjd64290

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

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
bobca

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
Lannemi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

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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