The small enchanting village of Sallent de Gállego is one of the Pyrenees picture postcards that you do not get tired of looking at. The group of houses with slate roofs is silhouetted against the mountain with timidity but also with determination. If you think that this village is attractive in the spring, you should see it covered in snow and with the chimneys emitting the smell of burning wood dearly loved by city dwellers. If you love winter sports, you probably know it already since it is very close to the Aramón Formigal-Panticosa ski resort, the largest ski area in Spain.
We will now show you what you can do in Sallent de Gállego, its best restaurants and some recommended activities in the surrounding area. Are you ready? We are going to Huesca!
- Entorno natural de Sallent de Gállego
- Qué puedes ver en Sallent de Gállego
- Estación de esquí de Aramón Formigal-Panticosa
- Restaurantes de Sallent de Gállego
- Qué ver en los alrededores del pueblo
The natural landscape around Sallent de Gállego
Sallent de Gállego is located on the highest part of the Alto Gállego district, a beautiful high mountain valley where there are summits of up to 3,000 metres. In this land shaped by torrents and brooks, the forests, lakes and pastures combine harmoniously to provide travellers with a gratifying nature experience.
If you love the countryside, you will find lots of routes to take from Sallent de Gállego. For the time being, remember that you can visit the Ordesa-Viñamala biosphere reserve, where there are two natural monuments from the Pyrenees glaciers. If you love birdwatching, there is a special protection area for birds (ZEPA) in Viñamala. Lastly, if you travel in autumn, the colour spectacle is assured since the interior sierras of Partacua and Tendeñera have numerous beech trees.
Puerto de Portalet
Continuando por la carretera A-136 y una vez superada la estación de Formigal, el último hito es el Puerto de Portalet, el paso fronterizo entre España a Francia. Un puerto de montaña a 1.794 metros de altitud que une los valles de Tena y Ossau. Las viejas aduanas fronterizas todavía resisten allí, junto con varios negocios. Aquí termina la subida que comenzaba en Biescas, configurando uno de los puertos de montaña más largos de España, con 27 kilómetros de recorrido hasta la cima. Un enclave que en invierno se cubre de una profunda capa de nieve, pero que en verano nos sirve para emprender magníficas rutas de senderismo.
Respomuso
A espaldas de Sallent de Gállego, en la zona alta, se abre el ibón de Respomuso, a más de 2.100 metros de altitud. Si bien el ibón fue modificado artificialmente para convertirlo en embalse, la ruta hasta aquí no ha perdido su singular belleza. Los picos que lo rodean, algunos de más de 3.000 metros de altitud como el Balaitous (3.144 m) marcan un paisaje formidable. Respomuso cuenta con un refugio a 2.200 metros de altitud. Un lugar mágico donde pasar la noche en una ruta de montaña. La ruta a pie hasta Respomuso comienza en el embalse de La Sarra, donde se puede aparcar.
Collado de Pondiellos
También en las espaldas de Sallent se encuentra el Collado de Pondiellos, destino de una de las principales y más espectaculares rutas que se pueden emprender en el valle de Tena. Del balneario de Panticosa parte esta la ruta circular de 10 kilómetros ida y vuelta con desniveles superiores a los 1.000 metros, hasta alcanzar las afiladas cimas del collado, desde donde se divisan los ibones de Pondiellos.
Things to see in Sallent de Gállego
Imagine travelling by car and gradually approaching Sallent de Gállego, which appears in the distance guarded by the watchful eye of the Foratata mountain. You will realise that it is a small village, where the houses are mainly stone constructions and their gable and hip roofs are covered by slate. You will also make out a bell tower silhouetted against the mountain. However, that cold postcard image comes to life once you leave the car parked and start walking through its streets. Remember that you are in the Pyrenees, so do not forget your jacket before wandering around the streets.
A good place to start your walk and where you can experience village life is in the Sallent de Gállego square, between the pelota court and the river Aguas Limpias. It is a pedestrian area where older people seek the sun’s rays and children run about. Around the square you will see some homes with coats of arms which remind us of the past when lineage was proudly exhibited. You will also want to take a photo of the ‘Sallent Giant’, a life-size sculpture of a beloved neighbour, Fermí Arrudi, who measured 2.29 metres.
While wandering around, you will notice the Martón tower (14th or 15th century) and the Socotor and Menín houses, which are subsequent, from the 19th century.
One of the monuments you must visit is the Our Lady of the Assumption church, which is on the highest part of the village and was built in the 16th century by desire of Juan de Lanuza on top of the remains of the former Romanesque chapel. Its tower was used as a prison for some time.
However, the most photogenic place is probably ‘Paco’s Bridge’, which joins both banks of the river Aguas Limpias, and through which the former ‘Royal road’ used to pass. It was built in the 16th century with stonemasonry and has a single arch. If you are travelling with children, you must remember that they may want to play a while in the park next to it. If you bring snacks, you can even improvise a picnic since there are tables in the area.
And if you think you need to relax after all that walking, visit the spa in Sallent de Gállego called Aguas Limpias, which provides different relaxation options.
Estación de esquí de Aramón Formigal-Panticosa
Sallent de Gállego es una de las principales localidades cercanas a la estación de esquí de Formigal-Panticosa, una de las más grandes de España. Un dominio esquiable con 182 kilómetros y 147 pistas repartidas en dos sectores, Formigal y Panticosa. El sector Formigal, con cuatro valles y 143 kilómetros esquiables, es el principal y dista a apenas seis kilómetros de Sallent, continuando la carretera que conduce al Puerto de Portalet y a Francia.
Formigal es, sin duda, una de las mecas del esquí en España. Su amplitud, la calidad de su nieve y su famoso après-ski, la han convertido en toda una referencia para los amantes del mundo de la nieve.
Por su parte, el sector Panticosa está en la misma carretera pero en sentido contrario, en descenso del valle de Tena. Esta tradicional estación, con 39 kilómetros esquiables repartidos en dos valles, es un hermoso paraje de montaña mucho más tranquilo, con ibones y la posibilidad de bajar esquiando al mismo pueblo de Panticosa.
Restaurants in Sallent de Gállego
Although it barely exceeds 1,000 inhabitants, Sallent de Gállego has excellent bars and restaurants to meet the travellers’ needs. Remember that it is very near the ski resort, so there are always people there.
We will recommend some restaurants in Sallent de Gállego although the others will also serve you a good wild boar or rabbit stew, vegetables, mushrooms or freshwater fish.
One of our favourites is Casa Martón (address: Plaza del Valle de Tena, 6), a restaurant which is now spectacular after its recent renovation. It is a great place to savour meat or a delicious scrambled egg stir-fry with penny bun mushrooms and truffles. Another good restaurant is Tres Quiñones (address: Puente Gllego ﷽﷽﷽﷽ante Tres Quiñones, e tambiy trufa siempre aciertas tambie en cualquiera de los de la poblaicpicnic en las mesas de laáállego állego, 11), whose lamb roast is memorable but remember to leave some room for the homemade desserts. If you want a set menu, they have an affordable and generous one. Lastly, Asador Casa Jaimico (address: Espadilla, 22) provides homemade cooking, excellent meat and a risotto with duck and penny bun mushrooms that are finger-licking good. An extra restaurant is Garmo Blanco (address: Plaza Valle de Tena), which also has excellent quality.
Things to see near the village
Sallent de Gállego is a good starting point for some visits and outings. The most obvious ones are those leading to the nearest summits and lakes. If you like walking, you can follow the GR11 trail that goes to the Panticosa Spa and, while you are there, you can relax for a while at this famous resort. You can also hike to Pacino hill. It takes around 2 hours to reach the summit and slightly less to return.
Another option, which the locals adore, is the Lanuza reservoir nature trail, which is 3 kilometres long and reaches the top of the reservoir. It starts on the A-136 road entering Sallent de Gállego, before crossing the river, and then just follow the signs. From the end point you will see Lanuza, where every summer the main stage of the South Pyrenees Music Festival is located. You can return the same way or go around the reservoir, so the walk will take slightly longer.
