Herrera de los Navarros: Nature, Trails and Cultural Heritage

The main attractions for a trip to Herrera de los Navarros fall into clear categories: routes through the landscape, designated natural areas, and the history of its churches and town. Recurring festivals add dates to the calendar. If you’re looking for a hotel, these themes can help you plan your trip around a route, a festival or the cultural heritage.

Trails, cycling route and outdoor events

The PR-Z 25 is a circular hiking trail from Herrera de los Navarros via Pico Herrera to the Santuario de la Virgen de Herrera and back to town. Check current trail conditions before setting off. A signposted variant of the PR-Z 25 follows the Camino del Reguero and allows you to return from the Santuario to Herrera de los Navarros. This return route is fully accessible by bicycle and is primarily intended for cyclists. The cycling information applies specifically to this variant, while the PR-Z 25 is designed as a circular hiking trail.

The Desafío Herrerino is a separate event on the calendar from the individual routes. It has been held annually in early May since 2015, with pandemic-related exceptions in 2020 and 2021. Dates may shift within the early-May period. The competition includes several races over different distances on mountain trails with steep climbs; distances may vary from one edition to the next. The event takes place in the landscape around the Ermita de la Virgen de la Sierra de Herrera de los Navarros and the Huerva. If you’re planning your trip around the Desafío, check the specific date of the relevant edition.

Natural areas and viewpoints

Herrera de los Navarros is part of the European ecological network Natura 2000. Bajo Huerva – Plana de María is designated as a Special Protection Area for birds; Alto Huerva – Sierra de Herrera is designated as a Site of Community Importance. Species that can be observed in nature include golden eagles, Dupont’s larks and woodchat shrikes. Sightings are not guaranteed. The Santuario de la Virgen de Herrera also has a viewpoint overlooking areas of several comarcas.

Buildings and cultural heritage

The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista is protected as a BIC (Bien de Interés Cultural) in the “Monumento” category. Together with its Mudéjar tower, the ensemble was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on 14 December 2001 as part of the monumental Mudéjar heritage found throughout Aragón. The present church complex was built in four phases from the mid-14th to the late 17th century; the first two phases belong to the Mudéjar structure. The church’s lasting protection status and the ensemble’s UNESCO designation therefore represent distinct, clearly identifiable aspects of the building.

The history of the Santuario de la Virgen de Herrera also has its own timeline: the building is Baroque, was constructed in the 17th century and completed in the 18th century. The remains of a Celtiberian settlement from the Second Iron Age lie on Cerro de los Castellares near Herrera de los Navarros. Another cultural tradition is the Dance of Herrera de los Navarros, considered one of Aragón’s oldest traditional dances.

Festivals throughout the year

Bonfires are lit for the San Antón celebrations on 17 January. Neighbors gather around the fire and eat together; the blessing of pets is also part of the celebrations. In early February, the town’s Quintos carry the saint San Blas in a procession. The tradition also includes handing out the Rollo de San Blas.

Every year on 23 April, a pilgrimage to the Santuario de la Virgen de Herrera is held to celebrate San Jorge Day and Aragón Day. Together with the San Antón and San Blas customs, this makes for a festival calendar with different dates and traditions: bonfires and a communal meal in January, a procession and traditional pastry in early February, and the pilgrimage in April.

Discover more destinations: Villanueva De Gállego, Pedrola, Mesones De Isuela, Murillo De Gállego, Codo, Villalba de Perejil, La Muela, Lumpiaque

For the broader travel overview: Zaragoza.