Do your favourite family activities involve nature and mountains? Then don’t think twice: Huesca is the perfect destination to visit with little ones. Medieval fortresses, charming Romanesque villages, animal parks, impressive ski resorts with countless activities, idyllic nature reserves in the Pyrenees and a capital full of attractions are all waiting for you. Exploring Huesca with children is very straightforward so read on to find out about the best activities in the region to discover its culture, heritage and nature.
Family skiing
Huesca has several famous ski resorts – is there anything better than spending a day with the kids in the snow? This could be perfect moment to learn how to ski or to have fun in the sledging zone. Huesca’s ski resorts have fantastic facilities that are suitable for visitors of every age.
One of the best is Candanchú in Aísa. It has a large slope for children and a snow garden where they can play in a safe environment. There’s a play area for sledging and a conveyor belt to reach the top of the children’s slope. There’s also a specialist ski school for kids.
Cerler ski resort in Benasque is the highest in the Aragonese Pyrenees and one of the best in the south zone. It has a ski area of 76 km with slopes for every skill level and children can enjoy a snow garden, conveyor belt, slides, igloos, dog-pulled sleigh ride and activity circuit. Endless fun!
Formigal is one of the Formigal-Panticosa ski resorts and has some of the best slopes for learning to ski with a special area for beginners. How about building a snowman or igloo together after a great day of skiing?
Easy hiking trails in Huesca
Talking about Huesca means talking about nature. Here you’ll find some of the most beautiful nature reserves in Spain. If outdoor excursions are one of your favourite hobbies, you’re in the right place. There are countless trails so it’s easy to find one that is suitable for children of every age.
One of the most famous places is Ordesa y Monte Perdido Natural Park (internal link) where hiking is the order of the day and paths take you to its most spectacular spots. The Cola de Caballo [Horse’s Tail] is one of the most recommended trails to hike with children. It runs along Ordesa gorge amid staggered waterfalls and takes approximately three hours. The circular route to the Estrecho, Arripas and La Cueva waterfalls gives you the chance to appreciate the magic of water. Or you could head into Añisclo gorge, inside the park, and follow the trail that leads to the ancient hermitage of San Úrbez, crossing an exciting bridge along the way. The Revilla viewpoints trail is also a great route to hike with children and has impressive views of the valleys.
Moving away from Ordesa y Monte Perdido, another popular trail is the Pasarelas del Vero in Alquézar. This circular route takes about 90 minutes and is suitable for all ages. Children will love walking along the walkways above the river – and you might even spot vultures.
Valle de Tena (internal link) is a wonderful place to visit with little ones because it has a huge variety of activities for them to do. A day of hiking to Espelunciecha and Piedrafita lakes, formed by glaciers in the Pyrenees, are sure to make a huge impression on the kids. The valley also has plenty of fauna, and marmots and Pyrenean mountain goats may well join you along the way. If you’re tired of walking, take the Panticosa cable car, which runs in summer, for a panoramic journey across Valle de Tena at heights of up to 1,900 m. A real adventure!
El Parque Faunístico de Lacuniacha
This animal park (internal link) is a forest in the heart of Huesca’s Pyrenees near the small village of Piedrafita de Jaca. Flora and fauna are the stars of the show here and they make the park a fantastic experience for children. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to get up close to nature and discover its secrets. The park changes its scheduled activities depending on the season.
15 different species live in semi-freedom in the park and are contained in separate areas that you will find along your route around Lacuniacha; the trail is just over 4 km long. Deer, reindeer, European bison, mouflon, Eurasian lynx, bear and even Iberian wolves will appear before your children’s amazed eyes. There is also a botanical trail to enjoy along the route that features the most important plant species in the region so visitors can learn about the different ecosystems that co-exist in the bio park, part of the Ordesa-Viñamala Biosphere Reserve.
Unless they are special/all-terrain versions, buggies/pushchairs aren’t suitable for the paths in the park and it would be better to use a child carrier backpack.
The House of the Puppets in Abizanda
This special house in the Pyrenees, in Sobrarbe region, was refurbished by the Binéfar puppeteers so they could have their own theatre to put on their shows. They also created a museum with puppets from around the world and children can come and play with them.
The small theatre puts on shows that little ones will love. There’s also a large outdoor space with wonderful views and shows are performed here when the weather is fine so that visitors can admire the spectacular Pyrenean scenery. Make the most of your visit to discover this branch of the arts, local theatre culture and the fun of the puppet world with this theatre company that just wants to keep on entertaining.
Historic tours with children in Huesca
There’s always time for a little bit of tourism, which is particularly important when you’re travelling with children. It helps to open their minds to the cultural values of the places that you visit. In Huesca (internal link), you should start with the capital and its rich heritage: a visit to the imposing Gothic cathedral, colourful Plaza Luis López Allúe, beautiful monastery of San Pedro, Modernist architecture of the Casino and the green lung of Parque Miguel Servet makes the perfect day out. Make sure you stop along the way to try the wonderful confectionery at Pastelería Ascaso, a mecca for fans of sweet treats. You could also visit the planetarium at the Aragonese Astronomy Centre, just outside the city, to inspire your children with a love of science.
Of course, you mustn’t forget Huesca’s charming villages (internal link), which you’ll find on your travels. Aínsa (internal link) in Sobrarbe region is one of the most beautiful; its medieval historic centre, 11th century fortress, impressive Plaza Mayor and cobbled streets will transport you back in time. If you decide to do the Pasarelas del Vero route, make sure you visit Alquézar (internal link) too, the village where the route starts, especially its Plaza Mayor and collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor. Jaca (internal link) is one of the region’s most impressive villages and is known as the “pearl of the Pyrenees”. Its citadel is a 16th century military fortress with an unusual pentagonal floor plan and it also has a drawbridge, a moat with deer and lots of green spaces. The monastery of San Juan de la Peña is close to Jaca and was the burial place of many of the kings of Aragón. The outstanding castle of Loarre is the best conserved Romanesque fortress in Europe and sits at an altitude of 1,000 m. Ansó and Roda de Isábena, a Romanesque treasure, are also essential stops on your trip.
So many experiences are waiting for you! Ride the train that departs from Tramacastilla de Tena and crosses the whole valley while you hear about its legends and traditions; go paddle boarding or hire pedalos at Lanuza reservoir; visit the adventure park at Biescas and have fun on the flying foxes and doing other activities up in the Pyrenean trees.
Still not sure that Huesca is a great destination for children?!
