The Castle of Samitier (11th century)
The Castle of Samitier is a medieval military complex where we will find a church with tower, a small courtyard that was walled and a watchtower to the south, right on the edge of the cliff.
This castle is strategically located on top of a ridge and on the edge of a steep cliff. We will enjoy magnificent views of the central Pyrenees, the Mediano reservoir with the Mediano Church Tower rising out of the water and the Grado reservoir.
From the Samitier Tower we can visualize a whole system of towers that were built to defend this territory, such as the tower of Abizanda, Olsón, Torreciudad, Muro de Roda, Monclús or Escanilla.
This route is accessible to almost everyone and is ideal to complement your visit to Ainsa with a small family hiking route discovering one of the most spectacular viewpoints of Sobrarbe.
Sendero señalizado Castillo de Samitier
Senda totalmente balizada sin opción de pérdida que sube agradablemente al Castillo de Samitier
Ermita camino al Castillo de Samitier
La Ermita de Waldesca se construyó en el s.XVI en honor a la protectora de los cultivos y enemiga de las tormentas
Pantano de Mediano
Magníficas vistas al Pantano de Mediano donde podemos ver aflorar del agua la torre de Mediano
Colores otoñales en Samitier
Casi llegando al tramo final de la excursión con magníficas vistas de Mediano
The ascent to Samitier Castle
We will park in the village of Samitier where the village fountain is. From here we climb straight up a cemented slope that leads to the water tank of the village and we will find the beginning of the path.
Short and easy hiking route, with a difference in altitude of almost 300 meters, where we will go up a very comfortable and pleasant marked path. The path runs parallel to the track that goes up to Samitier Castle, where it goes through the forest and crosses several times with the track.
This excursion is open to families with children, couples or groups of friends, and will take 2 hours to go up and down.
We will find a typical Mediterranean vegetation where we can find aromatic and medicinal plants such as thyme, rosemary, lavender and savory. Variety of trees such as Scots pine, olive trees, almond trees and holm oaks. Endemic plants such as Corona de Rey and Oreja de Oso.
At a geological level, the Anticline of Mediano and the Congosto de Entremón stand out. It is easy to find fossils in the upper part of the hiking route numolites type (dineretes or stone coins), but remember, you should not take them.
Pantano de Mediano
Magníficas vistas al Pantano de Mediano donde podemos ver aflorar del agua la torre de Mediano
Patio Interior Castillo Samitier
Pequeño patio interior donde posiblemente antaño estuvo amurallado
Iglesia de Samitier
Primero se construyó la torre hexagonal y posteriormente se hizo la iglesia
Congosto de Entremon
Un congosto es una garganta kárstica, producida por el encajamiento de un río por el efecto de disolución de este sobre dichos materiales
Details of the Samitier Castle hiking route
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
- Difficulty : Easy
- Elevation : +/- 280 meters
- Route : 4.4 km
- Duration : About 2 hours (up and down)
- Type of route : Roundtrip by the same road
- Physical demand : Low
- Group : Tour open to all (families and adults)
WHAT SHOULD WE BRING?
- Sneakers or hiking boots
- Food (nuts, bars,…)
- Water (we will not find water along the entire route).
- Sunscreen
- Comfortable mountain or sports clothing. Warm clothes and raincoat
- Small backpack to put things in
HOW TO GET TO THE BEGINNING OF THE ROUTE?
From Ainsa take the A-138 towards Barbastro. After 15 km we will reach the village of Mediano and a few meters from the exit of the village, we find the detour to the left of the village of Samitier. We will arrive by a narrow road to the village fountain, where we will park the car.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
From the Samitier Fountain, we go straight up an enclosed street that goes to the water tank of the village and a small well marked path comes out. The path will go up more or less parallel to the track that also goes up to Samitier Castle, crossing it several times.
After a long half hour, we will reach the Ermita Waldesca and in 15 minutes more we will arrive at an esplanade with magnificent views of the Mediano reservoir. Now we only have the final rapa and more slope, which in 10 minutes we will reach our goal.
WHAT TO VISIT IN THE SAMITIER AREA?
- The Medieval Village of Ainsa
- Abizanda and its spectacular defensive tower
- Naval with its salty waters and its pottery
- Abizanda water canyon
- Basender dry gully and the equipped Escaleretas pathway
- Climbing on the walls of Ligüerre or Entremon.
- Visit to the beautiful reconstructed village of Ligüerre de Cinca
