An Autumn Visit to the Alto Alfambra and Sierra del Pobo

ESP – ENG

Our summer trip to Cabañas & Estacas was a reconnection with a form of travelling we had deeply missed. In fact, it was a reconnection with a part of ourselves that we had been forced to put aside for a while. This whirlwind of emotions created a strong desire to repeat the experience as soon as possible.

After making some room in our schedules, the choice was clear: we would tackle one of the hidden gems in Montañas Vacías’ collection of routes: the Alto Alfambra and Sierra del Pobo Route. This is probably the route that I have put the most care into designing, not only because of the variety of landscapes it crosses, but also because of the rich history it interweaves. It remains one of my favourite routes and, paradoxically, one of the least known.

By mid-October, the cold was knocking at the door and we knew we had to make the most of the last few days of true autumn before the harsh pre-winter of Teruel set in. The cold didn’t just knock, it entered and became a special guest during our days on the route. Added to this were the shorter days, the northern wind and the occasional showers, all the perfect ingredients to enhance the character of this spectacular journey. It is a route rich in history, full of stories and the perfect canvas to write your own.

In this brief photo essay, I share our days along the Alto Alfambra and Sierra del Pobo Route through our perspective. I hope you enjoy it and find a little inspiration to explore these landscapes, even out of season.

«From lush pine forests to high altitude desert moorlands, we will witness the most traditional use of wood in the river valleys, and we will ride alongside the remains of a centuries-old wool transport route. It’s a different route, highly varied, highly intense in both form and substance, but it won’t leave anyone indifferent.».

«Traversing the highland moors of El Pobo takes you to remote places on the planet, but above all to remote places in yourself: It’s a unique experience to ride solo in a place where you see nothing for kilometres and kilometres around, a huge treasure in our days.».