Piedra Vieja Restaurant
What to order: the set menu after the park; at the bar, sharing plates and pinchos
geocalia
Day itinerary · 41.19° N · 1.78° W
Waterfalls among autumn leaves, and a thermal lake at 28 degrees.
The waterfalls and caves of the Monasterio de Piedra with the park in autumn colours, lunch on site and, in the afternoon, a swim in the thermal lake at Termas Pallarés. An hour and twenty minutes from Zaragoza.
Leaving from
Part of Monasterio de Piedra
Add to my trip
Total time10 h
By car1 h 15 each way
Walking2 h 30 · about 4 km with steps
DifficultyEasy
Cost€45–60 pp
Best timeOctober – November
With childrenYes; lake free up to age 4
The plan
The day at a glance
Any part can be swapped for another without spoiling the day.
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Leave Zaragoza 1 h 15 by car
from Zaragoza via the A-2, exit 231 Nuévalos – Monasterio de Piedra
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1
Historic Garden Park: waterfalls, Horsetail Fall and Iris Cave
Cola de Caballo, Gruta Iris and lakes · 2 h 30 · €20 with the monastery
- 3 min on foot
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2
Cistercian Monastery and Calatayud DO Wine Museum
13th-century cloister and wine museum · 1 h · included
- 2 min on foot
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3
Piedra Vieja Restaurant
Piedra Vieja · menu of the day on the site · €
Calle Juan Federico Muntadas y Jornet, s/n, 50210 Nuévalos · +34 976 870 700
Restaurant €Book - 30 min by car20,7 km
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4
The thermal lake at Termas Pallarés, in Alhama de Aragón
Termas Pallarés, 20 min away · afternoon entry €13.50 · bought there
Calle Constitución, 20, 50230 Alhama de Aragón · +34 976 840 011
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Back home
from Alhama via the A-2; in Zaragoza around 19:00
Approximate cost
About €10–20 per person
Adds up the activities and meals in the plan at their published prices; travel and accommodation not included.
The route
Historic Garden Park: waterfalls, Horsetail Fall and Iris Cave
The Monasterio de Piedra park is a forest of waterfalls, caves and lakes tucked into the canyon of the Piedra river, and in October and November the trees turn yellow and red above the water. This plan walks it first thing, sees the Cistercian monastery, has lunch on site and ends the afternoon fifteen kilometres away, in Alhama de Aragón, swimming in a lake of thermal water at 28 degrees while it is cold outside.
The day, hour by hour
7:45 · Set off. From Zaragoza, about 120 km on the A-2 to exit 231 and the Nuévalos road. Car park next to the entrance.
9:00 · The park. It opens at 9:00. Follow the signed route: the Cola de Caballo waterfall, the Iris Cave from inside, the lakes and the viewpoints. It is about 4 km with steps and damp stretches, around two and a half hours. The ticket, €20 for adults and €14.20 for ages 4 to 11 and over-65s, includes the monastery.
11:45 · The monastery. The 13th-century cloister, the refectory, the convent kitchen with the history of chocolate and the wine museum. An hour, at no extra charge.
13:00 · Lunch at Piedra Vieja. The restaurant on site: set menu, à la carte, combination plates and pinchos at the bar. With your stamped ticket you can leave and re-enter.
15:00 · The thermal lake at Termas Pallarés. From Nuévalos to Alhama de Aragón it is about 20 minutes. The spa's lake is filled with water that wells up from the bottom at 32 °C and settles at about 28 °C. From 15:00, the afternoon ticket costs €13.50 per adult and €8 per child aged 4 to 12; under-4s do not pay. It is bought at the spa itself and closes at 18:00 outside summer.
17:45 · Head home. Alhama is next to the A-2: in Zaragoza around seven; in Guadalajara, in an hour and a half.
Autumn in the park
The trees in the park change colour in October and November, with fewer visitors than in summer. From 10 November the park opens from 9:00 to 17:30 and the last entry is at 16:00, so it is best to go in early. The floor of the caves and the steps are wet all year: wear shoes with a good sole.
Distance4 km
Time3 h
Where to eat
Where to eat?
Lunch is half the plan: book before you set off.
Hotel Río Piedra Restaurant
What to order: the Río Piedra menu, or the gourmet one for a special meal
Reyes de Aragón Restaurant
What to order: the seasonal dishes on the Aragonese menu; in summer, a table on the Los Castaños terrace
Map
The stops, in order
With where to park at each one.
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Getting there
By car or without one?
When to go
When to go to Monasterio de Piedra
In October and November the trees in the park change colour and there are fewer people than in summer. From 10 November the park closes at 17:30, with the last entry at 16:00. The thermal lake opens from 10:00 to 18:00 outside summer: call ahead to confirm the day.
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Best timeGood timeLow season
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Call the spa before you set off
The website does not publish closing days for the lake: confirm on 976 840 011.
- 2Put your swimwear in the rucksack
And a towel and flip-flops; it is cold when you get out of the water.
- 3Enter the park at nine
You see the waterfalls with fewer people and have plenty of time for the afternoon.
We'd skip it
If the lake is not open that day: swap the afternoon for the La Tranquera reservoir or the Colegiata of Calatayud, on the way home.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does the day cost?
Park and monastery, €20; thermal lake in the afternoon, €13.50; plus lunch. Between €45 and €60 per person.
Do I need to book?
The park sells tickets at the ticket office. The lake is paid for at the spa, with no published prior booking.
Is it a good plan in the rain?
Yes: the caves and the thermal lake are enjoyable all the same, and the park has more water in the rain. Bring a waterproof.
Can small children go?
Yes. In the park there are steps, so a carrier is better than a pushchair. At the lake, under-4s do not pay.
More plans like this
Other days of walking and good food
geocalia.com/en/spain/aragon/piedra-monastery/itineraries/autumn-with-thermal-bath-in-alhama
Prices, opening hours and times are approximate: check them before you go. Each place has its own page on Geocalia.