La Bardena Blanca
La Bardena Blanca is a unique region located in the Bardenas Desert in Spain, composed of spectacular canyons, hills, and peaks that can reach 467 meters in altitude with Punta de Cornialto.
Hiking enthusiasts, panoramic view lovers, and history buffs will be delighted by the many activities available in the region. The medieval villages of Aibar to the north, Sos del Rey Católico to the west, and Olite to the west offer a rich cultural and historical experience for visitors.
Hikers, explorers, and adventurers can immerse themselves in these incredible western landscapes. We’ll be happy to guide you through the most beautiful peaks of the Bardenas Blanca, such as Castildetierra, a majestic fairy chimney bordered by the Grand Canyon and the Cortinas Canyon, “The Curtain,” given its appearance.
El Rallón is a very well-known rock formation of the Bardenas Reales, table-shaped and square, dominating the firing range. The top of its “cabezo” offers an elevated plateau with a flat summit and steep slopes, one of the most impressive in the region.
A long hiking trail leads there, the Arista Bonita, which begins at the base of Piskerra, another emblematic relief of the region. It is very distinctive and its shape stands out from the others thanks to its fairy chimney “El Niño.”
This trail can also lead you to the staircase; to do so, you’ll need to descend into a ravine carved by rainwater leading to a cabin offering a spectacular view of the Bardenas Desert. At its base is the labyrinth—a word of advice: follow the guide!
La Bardena Blanca is crossed by the transhumance route, Cañada Real, which has been used
for centuries by shepherds to drive their flocks from the Pyrenees to the Bardenas to spend the winter.
It begins in the north and winds its way into the Bardena Negra. The Bardenas have been an important grazing and transhumance area for centuries and still are today!
La Bardena Blanca is home to many animals in the bushes, scrubland, salt marshes, and esparto grass fields, including bustards, foxes, wildcats, genets, amphibians, badgers, and other reptiles. Eagles, vultures, and owls such as eagle owls prefer the heights of canyons and other reliefs or the tops of trees.
The hike to El Rallón is approximately 11 km round trip and takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
From the summit, hikers can admire a unique and spectacular landscape with steep slopes cut sheer.
However, it’s important to note that people suffering from vertigo should refrain from climbing to the summit of El Rallón.
La Bardena Negra
Places to visit in the region include El Rallón–Piskerra, Vedado de Eguaras Nature Reserve, Castildetierra, Rincón del Bú, Tripa Azul, and the Badlands. Visitors can take trails to discover the history and natural beauty of the Bardenas region, including historical remains and desert landscapes.
La Bardena Negra is a desert region located in southern Navarre, Spain.
It is known for its wooded landscapes of Aleppo pine, with red clay canyons, hills, and unique limestone rock formations.
Places to visit in the region include:
Tripa Azul, Peña del Fraile, Puntas del Aguilar, Aguda, Negra, La Majada del Juego Pelota, and the Santuario de Sancho Abarca.
Visitors can also enjoy the wild nature of the region by hiking on the surrounding trails.
The Bardenas Desert consists of three distinct zones: El Plano, La Bardena Negra, and La Bardena Blanca.
Between the last two lies the Rincón del Bú Nature Reserve, which is home to a variety of birds, including the eagle owl, the largest nocturnal bird of prey in Europe.
For nature lovers, the Balcón de Pilatos is a viewpoint located south of La Bardena Blanca, offering a panoramic view of the Rincón del Bú Nature Reserve, renowned for its birdlife.
Tripa Azul, meanwhile, is a distinctive and solitary peak located between La Bardena Blanca and La Bardena Negra, offering stunning views of the Bardenas Desert.