A stay in Valareña can be shaped around two highlights: the planned settlement with its church, and a hike along the Sendero de la Negra. The village layout offers a tangible insight into the history of the colonisation village; the circular trail leads into the Bardenas landscape.
Colonisation Village and Church Architecture
Valareña is one of six colonisation villages founded in the municipal area of Ejea de los Caballeros between 1958 and 1970. The colonisation plan follows a longitudinal axis, arranging the village around a central east–west street. Separate squares were planned for the church and civic facilities.
Paseo de Aragón connects Plaza Mayor to the east with Plaza de la Iglesia to the west. The church tower provides a visual endpoint to Paseo de Aragón and Calle de Medio Mundo. Together, the main axis, separate squares and tower make the village’s spatial layout easy to understand.
The church itself also features several clearly described architectural details. Inside, semicircular brick arches support a roof covered with Arabic roof tiles. The lower friezes of the apse and the rear of the church are decorated with ceramics from Teruel; alabaster windows let in daylight. Brick, ceramics and alabaster thus shape different parts of the building.
There is also a geological detail in the building’s history: some of the stones used in Valareña contain fossils of Tertiary origin.
Walking Routes and Landscape
The Sendero de la Negra is a circular walking trail about ten kilometres long. It climbs to Punta de la Negra, the highest point in the Bardenas, and leads to a geodetic survey marker in a small wooded area overlooking the Cinco Villas plain. Access by car is via the A-125 towards Tudela, then on to Valareña and the Acequia de Cinco Villas. As access details can change, check current conditions before setting out on the hike.
Another route, the “Vuelta al Rincón del Bu”, ends in Valareña. If you plan to cycle it, check the current route conditions in advance.
In the wider regional context, the Bardena Aragonesa is an ecological reserve covering about 10,000 hectares. Its landscape includes dense vegetation and a diverse range of wildlife, particularly bird species. This regional context complements, but does not replace, the specific details about the village and routes.
Hermitage, Pilgrimage and Festivities
The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Bardena stands on a hill at the foot of the Bardena Negra, halfway between Valareña and El Sabinar and west of the CHE-1501 road. A pilgrimage to the hermitage takes place in early June, with residents of the six colonisation villages taking part. Confirm the date for your chosen year before making plans.
Valareña also holds the Fiestas de San Miguel Arcángel in honour of Saint Michael the Archangel. The exact dates may vary from year to year, so check the dates for your chosen year.
Visitor Information and Rice Fields
The Bardena Aragonesa visitor centre is housed in Valareña’s former school building at Calle Enseñanza 2. It is intended as a starting point before entering this natural area. Information on fauna, flora, geology, settlement, traditions and history, as well as possible routes and walking trails, is expected to be available there. Check public access and the availability of information before setting off.
Another possible experience connects the rice fields with the production of Valareña rice: it includes a visit to the fields and associated facilities. Check whether this experience is available before making plans.
Discover more destinations: Gotor, Lumpiaque, Las Cuerlas, Borja, Boquiñeni, Sos Del Rey Católico, Cetina, Purujosa.
For the wider travel overview: Zaragoza.
