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- Camino Natural de Loreto
Loreto and the Canfranero Nature Trail
Description
A Sanctuary next to Alberca de Loreto
This walk around the city of Huesca tours the most interesting places in its immediate environment, with a main circuit measuring 9.8 km and two branches that lead to the town of Alerre and to the pool of Loreto, respectively. It is a route that is very popular with the inhabitants of Huesca throughout the year, which begins following the old railway track between Huesca and Alerre and allows travellers to discover the Sanctuary of Loreto and the nearby pool of Loreto, a beautiful natural spot filled with water birds.
The Nature Trail begins by covering 4.6 km of the old Huesca-Canfranc railway track, known as “Canfranero”. This section of track was no longer used when the Huesca railway line was built in 2007 and its surface has been prepared so it can be used as a nature trail by pedestrians and cyclists. Surrounded by fields and almond trees, the residents of Huesca use it for their daily walks.
A rest area has been outfitted where the old station of Alerre, which has now disappeared, once stood. It is here that a branch of the route begins that allows you to walk to the village of Alerre, with the addition of a second loop measuring 2.1 km altogether. The town of Alerre is a possible starting-place for the Nature Trail thanks to the branch that begins at its old railway station. In the past, Alerre had a notable agricultural tradition and, in recent years, its population has increased thanks to its proximity to the city of Huesca.
Surrounded by agricultural fields, the route reaches the small village of Huerrios, which has 67 inhabitants; it is a good place to have a rest and drink water in its fountain before continuing along the asphalted path that leads to Loreto. The Sanctuary of Loreto has a dominant position over a large expanse of land to the west of the capital city of Huesca. From there, you can return to Huesca or take a second branch of the Nature Trail, which is 2.7 km long and takes you along a track to the pool of Loreto.
The “Alberca” or pool of Loreto is a wetland of unquestionable scenic interest, which forms a special natural ecosystem very close to the city of Huesca. The route borders the pool via a beautiful path that is worth covering to enjoy the beauty of the landscape, the panoramic views and the countless water birds, which find a place where they can feed and nest there. From the Sanctuary of Loreto, you return to Huesca along the traditional path of Loreto, passing by the Monument to Santa Paciencia, a place that is dear to the inhabitants of Huesca. In keeping with tradition, this was the site where Santa Paciencia kept her children, San Lorenzo and San Orencio, when they returned from school.
Profile
MIDE (Method for the Information of Excursions)
Harshness of natural environment- 1. The environment is not risk-free
- 2. There are more than one risk factors
- 3. There are various risk factors
- 4. There are quite a lot of risk factors
- 5. There are many risk factors
Guidance along the route- 1. Well defined trails and crossings
- 2. There is a clearly marked trail and signage
- 3. Requires the identification of geographic features and cardinal points
- 4. Requires off-path navigation
- 5. The trail is interrupted by obstacles that have to be gone around
Route difficulty- 1. Walking on a flat surface
- 2. Trails with different types of path
- 3. Walking on stepped paths or irregular terrain
- 4. The use of hands or jumping over the terrain is necessary
- 5. The use of hands is required to progress
Amount of effort needed- 1. Up to 1 hour of continuous walking
- 2. Between 1 and 3 hours of continuous walking
- 3. Between 3 and 6 hours of continuous walking
- 4. Between 6 and 10 hours of actual walking
- 5. More than 10 hours of continuous walking
Featured
Further information
The Sanctuary of Loreto
Tradition believes that where the Sanctuary of Loreto currently stands, the patron saint of the city of Huesca, San Lorenzo, was born and raised in an important Christian family. Already cited in the 12th century, the current building was built in the 18th century and the residents of Huesca and the surrounding towns still visit it every year on pilgrimages.
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