Around Saravillo, you can combine hikes in the Cotiella Massif with local history and cheesemaking. The GR 15 leads from the village to Refugio de Labasar and on to Ibón de Plan, also known as Basa de la Mora; the return follows the same route. In addition to this hiking route, an audio-guide route to the Labasar stone circles starts in Saravillo. In the village itself, the Mosén Bruno Fierro Interpretation Centre, the compact village centre, and Quesería de Saravillo offer different points of interest.
Hiking and access to Ibón de Plan
If you want to reach the lake on foot, you can follow the GR 15 from Saravillo to Refugio de Labasar and on to Ibón de Plan. Return along the same route. Another described hike goes from Refugio de Lavasar to Basa de la Mora: this easy out-and-back walk is 3.5 kilometres long, takes about two hours, and involves an ascent and descent of 80 metres each. Part of the GR 15, which comes from Saravillo, follows the same route.
The conditions at altitude are relevant for this hike and can vary seasonally. Check conditions before setting out. A toll forest track suitable for passenger cars also leads from Saravillo to Ibón de Plan. Fees and access conditions may change, so it is advisable to check before driving. The options therefore differ mainly in their starting point and mode of travel: the hiking trail from Saravillo, the indicated loop from Refugio de Lavasar, or the forest track by car.
Limestone scenery and glacial traces
Ibón de Plan, also known as Basa de la Mora, lies in the Cotiella Massif and is surrounded by striking limestone cliffs. The landscape also bears traces of its former glaciation: four glacier tongues once converged at Ibón de Plan. At the site of today’s lake, the ice was then about 300 metres thick. This figure describes the former ice cover at this location and adds a specific detail about the landscape’s geological history.
Stone circles and local history
The audio-guide route to the Labasar stone circles starts in Saravillo and can be completed by car or on foot. It offers another way to explore a specific destination in the surrounding area, rather than focusing the visit solely on the route to the lake.
The village itself offers another cultural highlight: its closely built-up centre preserves buildings characteristic of the Pyrenees. The Mosén Bruno Fierro Interpretation Centre in Saravillo is dedicated to the priest who lived there in the 19th century. Mosén Bruno Fierro lived from 1803 to 1889. In Saravillo, the village’s architecture and the story of a specific individual thus offer distinct ways to explore local culture.
Cheesemaking in Saravillo
For generations, Quesería de Saravillo has made goat’s and cow’s cheese from the milk of its own livestock. During a visit, guests can learn about the artisanal production process, observe the goats in their natural surroundings, and taste different cheeses. This combines an insight into cheesemaking with a tasting, adding a specific local activity to the hiking and cultural highlights.
For the wider travel overview: Plan.
