Piedra River Canyon & Monasterio de Piedra Natural Park
An hour's drive from Calatayud (or reachable by organised day-trip bus from the city), the Monasterio de Piedra natural park is one of the most genuinely jaw-dropping landscapes in inland Spain — a hidden canyon where the turquoise Piedra river tumbles through ancient forest in a series of named waterfalls, pools and grottoes. The 12th-century Cistercian monastery at its heart only adds to the sen
The Waterfall Circuit
The park's waymarked trail descends through the canyon past more than a dozen named falls, the most spectacular being Cola de Caballo (Horse's Tail), a 53-metre curtain of white water that you can walk behind on a narrow rock ledge — one of those experiences that makes you forget you're in a landlocked region of Spain.
The water's extraordinary turquoise-green colour comes from the high calcium carbonate content of the river, which also builds up the fantastical tufa formations — natural dams, terraced pools and encrusted branches — that make every turn of the path look like a stage set.
The Monastery and Its History
The Cistercian monastery was founded in 1194 and parts of it are still inhabited by monks. The cloisters, chapter house and cellars are open to visitors, and the old mill buildings now house a small chocolate museum — chocolate was first processed in Spain at Monasterio de Piedra in the 17th century, a fact that surprises almost everyone.
Stay for lunch at the monastery's restaurant or picnic by the lower pools; weekday visits in spring or autumn offer near-solitude even though this is one of Aragon's most popular excursions.
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