Calcena: Nature, Trails and Cultural Heritage

Calcena lies on the southern side of Moncayo Natural Park and combines a striking landscape with architectural and mining history, as well as activities for hikers, cyclists and climbing enthusiasts.

Landscape and Cave Geology

Calcena lies on the left bank of the Isuela River. The limestone outcrops around the village contain underground caves with remarkable geological formations. The Calcena Nature Interpretation Centre has an interactive exhibition about local geomorphology and the formation of karst caves. Check the visitor programme before your trip.

Access to Cueva Honda is restricted during the summer breeding season because of the bat colonies there. Observe this seasonal restriction and check visiting conditions in advance. Human burial remains from the Neolithic period, along with associated prehistoric materials, have been found in a cave near Calcena; access to this cave is regulated.

Village and History

The village centre is almost circular, with narrow lanes, passages, winding streets and covered walkways. These features are considered typical of labyrinthine, winding Islamic urban planning. Another chapter in the village’s history is reflected in the Iglesia de la Virgen de los Reyes: it is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category. The present-day church was built in the 16th century on the remains of an earlier Romanesque church and retains its portal.

The area’s mining history can also be traced in the landscape. The Valdeplata silver and copper mines were worked intermittently from Roman times until the 19th century. The SL-Z 71 hiking trail passes the remains of former workers’ settlements, furnaces, mine galleries and office buildings at Valdeplata. The former mining site can be visited with the help of information panels; mine entrances and shafts are not open to visitors.

Hiking, Cycling and Climbing

The SL-Z 71 links mining history with a route through the landscape: the trail crosses the Valdeplata ravine up to seven times via purpose-built wooden footbridges. Check their condition on site. Another hiking option is the first stage of the GR 90.2, which starts in Calcena and leads to Aranda de Moncayo; route conditions may change. When planning, the two trails therefore differ in their described crossings and respective destinations.

Calcena’s mountain biking network includes circular routes that start and finish in the village. Check the route and conditions before cycling. The Calcenada has also been held since 2002. It includes three sporting events held annually: Calcenada 104, Calcenada de Primavera and Calcenada de Otoño. If you are planning a trip for a specific date, check the event calendar for that year.

For climbing enthusiasts, the Calcena climbing area has more than 450 routes across all difficulty levels. The number may change as sectors are updated. The via ferrata in Calcena is described as an introduction to climbing and is considered suitable for children because of its difficulty level. Check the difficulty and access conditions before setting out.

Calcena can thus be explored through specific interests: its village character and cultural heritage sit alongside cave geology, hiking trails, cycling loops and climbing opportunities.

Discover more destinations: Tobed, Torrijo de la Cañada, La Almolda, Tarazona, Bureta, Novallas, Bardena Del Caudillo, Bordalba.

For the broader travel overview: Zaragoza.