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Ascent to the Peña Oroel This summit towers over the crooked landscape of the Jacetania and Serrablo. The conglomerate scarpments that make up the mountain are covered by a rich vegetation, which develops easily thanks to the diversity of grounds and to the different directions that the slopes are facing.
The trip to the summit is entertaining and offers the added attraction of visiting the cave chapel of la Virgen de la Cueva.
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Peña Oroel
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USEFUL INFORMATION
Maps: Prames: Along the valley of the river Aragón. I.G.N. Geográfico
Ejército N. 176.
Recommended season: From May to November.
Total time: Ascendt 1h 45'. Descent: 2h 05'.
Difficulty: Very Low (apart from the steep slope).
Access: From Jaca we follow the curved road A-1.205 heading for Bernués and San Juan de la Peña. After 6,7 kilometers, take an asphalted trail branching off Eastwards and go on for 2,5 kilometers until you reach the viewpoint of Oroel.
ROUTE:
0¨00 Picnic area at the viewpoint of Oroel, at 1.186 meters of altitude. In front of the restaurant, next to a water tank and to a sign for fire prevention in the forest, we follow a path that suddenly increases its slope and which goes south through a cozy pine wood.
0´40 We continue the ascent along the steep northern slope of the mountain. Nevertheless, the wood changes its image, as now it is fir trees that surround the distinct path. Once we leave behind the forest we will head West, until we cross a small conglomerate wall.
1´25 This pass lends access to the mountain's slope (1.727 m). Once we reach this point, known as las Neveras, we should proceed along the crest towards the western summit.
1´32 There are arrows and paint marks showing the way to the Virgen de la Cueva. We will take that route on our way back and we will continue through the pasturelands that that make up the slope of the mountain, maintaining the same direction.
1´45 After leaving behind the gentle final slopes we reach the cross of Oroel, 1769 meters. Before our eyes the most important summits in the Pyrenees appear: Peña Forca, Bisaurín, Aspe, Collarada, Telera, Tendeñera, … and Jaca at the foot of those mountains, while in the South we can discover the mountains of San Juan de la Peña, Oturia and Guara. In order to go to the Virgen de la Cueva return along the mountain slope heading East.
2´00 The turn toward the chapel branches off there. Follow the path that goes down the southern slope of the mountain. The route goes through some pasturelands and into a thick pine wood.
2´20 Cavity which shelters the chapel, 1.460 meters. There is a fountain nearby. A masonry wall closes part of the cave making a picturesque temple, which is visited during the processions of the last Sunday of May. From the chapel, a narrower path allows us to go down to the road which runs along the South of the mountain. In case you do not have a vehicle to meet you at this point, you will have to take a long detour to reach the parking lot, situated at the north of the mountain. Due to this, it is advisable to go back up the slope of the mountain and return using the same route as in the ascension.
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