Selva de Oza & Hecho Valley
Drive 45 minutes north of Jaca into the Valle de Hecho and you reach the Selva de Oza, a primeval beech and silver fir forest draped along the Aragón Subordán river that feels like stepping into a Tolkien illustration. It is one of the most beautiful and least crowded forest walks in the Pyrenees.
The forest walk
The main trail follows the river upstream through the Boca del Infierno gorge — a narrow limestone canyon where the water turns jade-green — before opening into the broad forest of the Selva de Oza itself. The round trip to the Oza campsite and back is about 10 kilometres on a flat, well-maintained track suitable for all ages.
In autumn, the beeches turn copper and gold and the forest floor is thick with fallen leaves; in spring, snowmelt swells the river and wildflowers carpet the meadows at the valley head. Both seasons are spectacular, but October is the undisputed peak.
The village of Hecho and its cheese
The medieval village of Hecho, at the foot of the valley, is worth an hour of your time. Its stone-paved lanes, carved lintels and the open-air Museo de Escultura Contemporánea — an eccentric collection of modern sculptures scattered through the streets — make it one of the most characterful villages in Aragon.
Before you leave, stop at one of the village shops to buy queso del Valle de Hecho directly from producers. The firm, golden sheep's milk cheese is sold young or aged and travels well in a cool bag for the drive home.
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