Accommodation in Monegros, Spain wanted

[Bolski]

A group of Tenere friends from the Netherlands Dutch Tenere Association is looking for accommodation in September in or near the Monegros desert in Spain, near Zaragoza. Campsite, simple hotel, Bed & Breakfast, a farmer's yard, everything will do.

[Bartosz]

Hi
One month ago we slept in Catalayud (not far from Zaragozza) in Hotel Miravella. Good place in very good price.

Bartosz

[Bolski]

Hm, you made it difficult for me
It is in Calatayud. Thanks, but I would prefer something in the middle of the off road tracks.

[Simon_100]

There's not much accommodation in Los Monegros - a great shame as it's an incredible place - one of the best destinations in Spain for off-road exploration!

I highly recommend Camping Alquezar - it's on the edge of Los Monegros somewhat to the north. Also handy for the Sierra de Guara, although that's not much use for off road as it's a Reserva Natural. The manager is a keen biker and full of advice!

The camp site at Alcure looks OK and is better situation, but it's really just a field next to the village social and sports club and it might be closed out of the peak season. I'm not sure that it's even open at all now, there's nothng in the home page of the Ajuntamiento - I'll be in Los Monegros early summer so I'll get an update.

The Camping Caspe is very good but really wierd - it's entirely given over to fishing - after a few drinks in the bar surrounded by numerous stuffed fish in cases gaping down at you from the walls can be quite trippy! Good central location though.

Otherwise check out the various local governments, ajuntamientos and comarcas*, for rural turism. My blog gives details in the Accommodation section for you to find places yourself, and also how to navigate the numerous tourist information sites.

In the meantime I've found this list of rural turism places, of which this one looks the most promising - but you'll have to book in Spanish! - just to get you going it has two double bedrooms and a 'spare' sitting room with a double sofa-bed.

Good luck!

Simon
* Note that Los Monegros the geographical region is much bigger than Los Monegros the comarca, or local government unit

[Simon_100]

Just a quick update: I happened to go riding in Los Monegros yesterday!

Firsty: access from Camping Caspe is much easier that I had thought, simply ride to Caspe and then along to Chiprana, where there is a little known bridge across the Ebro (here a full blown lake!) follow the road for about a kilometre away from the river and you're in Los Monegros - enjoy!

Secondly: I met a contact of mine who confirmed a hunch - it may seem wierd by try to stay in the 'albergure' attached to the Monastery at Leciñena! You'll eat very well indeed and have access to the northern part of Los Monegros via the Sierra de Alcure - brilliant! - I'm not sure why I get the icons every time I write Alcure but I can guess!

Thirdly: free camping is very easy, just pitch over the hill from the bigger tracks and you're on your own - the only problem you'll have is finding your camp again as the landscape is bewildering to say the least -true!

Fourthly: you'll always be needing to go to Bujaraloz on the N-II for fuel - there's not much availability eslewhere, but see below.

There are dumps, there are ****ing dumps, and then there's Bujaraloz! Opposite the gas station there is a restaiurant that does buffet - all you can eat for about €14. Well, I didn't do that an orderd a bacon and cheese bocadillo, something that's almost impossible to do badly - but they managed it! There's a conventional bar/restaurant on the same side heading east that I wished I'd gone to, even for a snack!

I'f you're interested I have an excellent guide book to Los Monegros, including a map with rural filling stations*, which is produced by the Aragon tourist borasd - a brilliant bargain for 5€. But as I'm on the road I won't see my copy until mid week. Reply to this post and I'll send you the details then as yo'll probablky need to get a copy on-line in advance unless you want to go to the city to find one.

Los Monegros is one of most fantastic places I know, but it's tough - enjoy!

Simon
*these filling stations are often closed, although some have 24/ card machines if you don't mind paying commision on foreign cards

[emattioni]

it may a bit out of your way, or it may be not, but anyway I have a farm in Bajo Aragon around Calaceite with plenty of space to camp,
of course for free,

for food/drink the near village is about 5 Km away.

I have an old R80GS and I do a bit of off road as well and around here the ports are fantastic with quite challenging pistes, for me anyway..........

if you are interested just let me know

[Bolski]

Originally Posted by emattioni

it may a bit out of your way, or it may be not, but anyway I have a farm in Bajo Aragon around Calaceite with plenty of space to camp,
of course for free,

for food/drink the near village is about 5 Km away.

I have an old R80GS and I do a bit of off road as well and around here the ports are fantastic with quite challenging pistes, for me anyway..........

if you are interested just let me know

It's a bit out of the way indeed, but thanks a lot for this generous offer! I'll keep it in mind.

[Bolski]

Originally Posted by TheSpanishBiker

Just a quick update: I happened to go riding in Los Monegros yesterday!

Firsty: access from Camping Caspe is much easier that I had thought, simply ride to Caspe and then along to Chiprana, where there is a little known bridge across the Ebro (here a full blown lake!) follow the road for about a kilometre away from the river and you're in Los Monegros - enjoy!

Secondly: I met a contact of mine who confirmed a hunch - it may seem wierd by try to stay in the 'albergure' attached to the Monastery at Leciñena! You'll eat very well indeed and have access to the northern part of Los Monegros via the Sierra de Alcure - brilliant! - I'm not sure why I get the icons every time I write Alcure but I can guess!

Thirdly: free camping is very easy, just pitch over the hill from the bigger tracks and you're on your own - the only problem you'll have is finding your camp again as the landscape is bewildering to say the least -true!

Fourthly: you'll always be needing to go to Bujaraloz on the N-II for fuel - there's not much availability eslewhere, but see below.

There are dumps, there are ****ing dumps, and then there's Bujaraloz! Opposite the gas station there is a restaiurant that does buffet - all you can eat for about €14. Well, I didn't do that an orderd a bacon and cheese bocadillo, something that's almost impossible to do badly - but they managed it! There's a conventional bar/restaurant on the same side heading east that I wished I'd gone to, even for a snack!

I'f you're interested I have an excellent guide book to Los Monegros, including a map with rural filling stations*, which is produced by the Aragon tourist borasd - a brilliant bargain for 5€. But as I'm on the road I won't see my copy until mid week. Reply to this post and I'll send you the details then as yo'll probablky need to get a copy on-line in advance unless you want to go to the city to find one.

Los Monegros is one of most fantastic places I know, but it's tough - enjoy!

Simon
*these filling stations are often closed, although some have 24/ card machines if you don't mind paying commision on foreign cards

Thank you for giving so much detailed information! And I am very interested in this guide book.

It looks like I will be the only one from the club that will be riding in the Monegros in September. This, and the fact that the campsite in Alcure does not respond to my emails, causes a little change of plans. I intend to take a room in this Casa Rural: Turismo rural en monegros, El Serral, a few kilometers from Alcure.

[Simon_100]

Hi Bolski,

Glad to know you're still keen on discovering Los Monegros. It looks like you've found a great place to stay - I'm jealous!

I'm home working on some guides and have the Los Monagros Guide book to hand: Red natural de Aragon Nº 2, Los Monegros. ISBN84-8321-802-X.

it's published by by an quango called PRAMES, which supports and developes mountain sports, especially climbing and hiking. Its web page lists all of their activities and publications, here's the link to the range of Red Aragon Guides for non-Spanish speakers. NB there are now 34 of these, and #2 is right down at the bottom of the page!

If you don't want to order online - delivery is very expensive and slow! - you can get the books locally at most tourist offices and good bookshops. It might be an idea to ask your accommodation to tell you where is the best place to find a copy. I bought mine at Librería Estillo in Huesca, which might suit you better than getting lost in Zaragoza. Estillo also had a good range of maps in stock. Huesca has a small university so there are lots of bookshops.

Meanwhile, your accommodfation helpfully links to a download booklet of excellent walks - which would make a good start - from thier 'More information' (Para Saber Mas) page: click on the 'Rutas Senderisticas'!

Have a brilliant time!

Simon

[Simon_100]

A sort of post-script:

• I'm not surprised Alcure didn't reply - it's run on a sort of concession from the town hall and is not really a serious business!
• If you don't read Spanish note that the Serral guesthouse doesn't take credit cards!

Enjoy

Simon