Moncayo

  • Moncayo
  • 2313 m
  • Prominence 1297 m
  • Aragon, Spain
  • Location: North 41.78704, West 1.839574 (GPS)
  • Difficulty: YDS 1
  • Climbed June 6. 2024.

Information:


How to get there:
This mountain can be reached from the city of Zaragoza. One can drive to the highest parking lot located at N41.79557, W001.82293, elevation near 1590 meter.
Route description:
The best way to enjoy a climb of this mountain is to do a loop hike. This should be done counter-clock wise, you will then be able to buy a cold drink, well deserved, before a 5 minute return to your car.
At the upper end of the parking area, a small staircase climbs right. Follow this trail. This route initially climbs in a few switch-backs, then makes a long traverse to enter the valley that comes up from the north, culminating in the col just west of the peak. When reaching the trail junction in this valley, turn left and ascend a very nice trail to reach this col. Turn left again in the col and ascend directly to the summit. The trail is pretty rocky here, but very clear as it zig-zags up the slope.
Descending, just continue across the summit plateau, then descend on an easy slope, to the minor col south-east of the summit, cross over the next, very minor summit and follow the clear and big trail as it descends from here back down to the restaurant at the end of the road. You deserve a cold drink here. Next, follow the road about 5 minutes back down to the highest public parking.
Comments:
A summary of climbs june 2024 in Spain is here.
I stayed in Zaragoza with Heidi and left after a nice breakfast. Arriving at the parking around 1045, but a few things needed sorting out before I could start hiking. I visited the restaurant at the end of the road and bought a cold coke.
Thus, the time was 1115 when I started uphill. Arrival on the top of the main crest by 1210 and the main summit at 1235. I had a 10 minute break. The weather was nice, with a slight breeze. Nobody else around, however I had seen a few persons on the trail. I left, descending west to the col there. Turning north (right) at the col, then a bit down this nice valley before the next fork where one turns right and starts a pretty long traverse. This trail is very pleasant and a nice walk. Back at the car by 1410, so roughly a 3 hour round trip total time.
I certainly realized that this hike should be done in the reverse direction. My drive back to Zaragoza was uneventful, arriving at hotel at 1600.

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