Borau: Hiking Trails and Romanesque Heritage

In Borau, hiking trails, the river landscape, and the town’s architectural history come together. The GR 15 Senda Prepirenaica long-distance trail passes through Borau. The Río Lubierre also flows through the town; it is a tributary of the Aragón. This brings several different themes into focus when planning a visit: routes through the surrounding area, the river landscape, and the Romanesque heritage of San Adrián de Sasabe.

Hikes on Circular Trails and the GR 15

The Ruta del Cajicar de Borau is a circular route from Borau to the Pista de las Blancas and back via O Caxicar. It climbs through shady woodland to the Quejigar oak grove. The route also passes former fields where two traditional huts with false domes can be seen. The changing landscape features give this loop its own character. As trail conditions can vary, it is advisable to check them before setting out.

Another option is the approximately 9-kilometer route through the Valle de Arnás, which starts and ends in Borau. It begins at the bridge over the Río Lubierre near Borau and follows the GR 15 toward Esposa. Along the way, it offers views of Borau and the Collarada massif. Its approximate length, starting and ending point, and views give this route a different profile from the loop to the Pista de las Blancas.

The Ruta de los Pajares «espaldaos» runs along the watersheds between the valleys of Borau, Aísa, and Esposa, before leading to Borau. Numerous stone walls, mallatas, bordas, and «espedregales» can be seen along the route. Those interested in rural landscapes and their traditional features will find different highlights here from those on trails known especially for woodland or views.

A route to San Adrián de Sasabe crosses the Río Lubierre via an access road and reaches the chapel along the final paved stretch of road. The return route follows shady slopes and former fields to the church in Borau. Visits to the monastery of San Adrián de Sásave can be arranged through Borau Town Hall. Arrange your visit with the town hall in advance.

River Landscape and Townscape

The gorges of Borau are among the valley’s most remarkable landscape features. A mineral spring with healing properties also emerges alongside the Río Lubierre. Together with the views of Borau and Collarada from the route through the Valle de Arnás, the river and mountain landscape are among the area’s defining features.

The town itself is also worth looking at for its architectural features: Borau has narrow, cobbled streets, roofs made of slate and stone slabs, and Pyrenean chimneys. The former school building at the entrance to the town was built in 1928. Alongside the hiking trails, these features offer their own reason to explore Borau’s built environment.

San Adrián de Sasabe and Romanesque Architecture

The monastery of San Adrián de Sásave was built in the Romanesque style in the 11th century on the site of an older Visigothic structure. It is believed that San Adrián de Sasabe was a bishop’s seat in Aragón until the Diocese of Jaca was founded in 1077. This remains a theory. The west portal shows influences of Jaca’s Romanesque art, similar to those at Santa María de Iguácel.

San Adrián de Sasabe has a rectangular single-nave church and a semicircular apse with a quarter-sphere vault. The nave is the main space of the church; the apse is its semicircular section. These architectural forms add specific structural details to the monastery’s historical context.

Festivals and Recurring Events

Borau celebrates its patron saint festivals on the first weekend of September. Check that year’s program when planning your trip. La Isolé is an annual cycling event in Borau: it takes place on the first Saturday in June and lasts a full weekend. For future editions, confirm the dates for the relevant year.

Discover more destinations: Morillo De Monclús, Martillué, Oncins, Bolea, Torre La Ribera, Labuerda, Lecina, Villanova.

For the main travel overview: Huesca.