Calcena lies on the southern side of the Parque Natural del Moncayo, on the left bank of the RĂo Isuela. Around the town, limestone outcrops and underground caves shape the natural landscape; at the same time, the church and the remains at Valdeplata tell of different historical layers. When choosing what to visit, both the subject and the type of outing matter: there are circular routes that return to Calcena and a section of the GR 90.2 that leads to Aranda de Moncayo.
Karst Landscape and Nature Interpretation
The limestone outcrops around Calcena contain underground caves with remarkable geological formations. Those interested in how they formed and in the local landscape can visit the nature interpretation centre in Calcena, which has an interactive exhibition on local geomorphology and the formation of karst caves. As visitor offerings may change, check the programme before your trip if visiting the centre is important to your plans.
Cueva Honda has a specific seasonal restriction: access is limited during the summer breeding season because of the bat colonies living there. Take this into account when planning a visit and check the arrangements in advance. The cave landscape and the specific access arrangements for Cueva Honda are separate matters: the geological formations describe the natural area, while this cave is subject to a seasonal rule.
Church and Townscape
The Iglesia de la Virgen de los Reyes is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category. The present church was built in the 16th century on the remains of an earlier Romanesque church, whose portal has been preserved. The building therefore reveals two distinct historical layers: the early modern church and a visible element of its Romanesque predecessor.
The town centre also has a distinctive layout: it is almost circular, with narrow lanes, passageways, winding streets and covered passages. These features are considered typical of labyrinthine, winding Islamic urban planning. Visitors looking at Calcena from an architectural perspective can therefore focus both on an individual protected monument and on the layout of the town centre.
Mining History at Valdeplata
The silver and copper mines at Valdeplata were worked intermittently from Roman times until the 19th century. This means that mining activity spanned a long period, but did not take place continuously. The history can also be traced through the remains on site: the SL-Z 71 hiking trail passes former workers’ settlements, furnaces, mine galleries and office buildings at Valdeplata.
Along this trail, specially installed wooden walkways cross the Barranco de Valdeplata up to seven times. These crossings are a notable feature of the route, while the surviving mining structures give it a historical dimension. The former mining site can be explored using the information panels. However, the mine entrances and shafts are not open to visitors. Please stick to the designated visitor areas and check the visiting conditions before setting out.
Hiking, Cycling and Climbing
Calcena’s mountain biking trail network includes circular routes that begin and end in the town. The first section of the GR 90.2, by contrast, has a different endpoint: it starts in Calcena and leads to Aranda de Moncayo. This distinction can help you choose between a loop that returns to its starting point and a section with a different destination, without assuming any additional route details. Trail conditions can change, so check them before cycling or hiking.
Calcena also has a climbing school with more than 450 routes at all levels of difficulty. The route selection may change as sectors are updated, so check the routes and conditions when planning your visit. A via ferrata is described as an introduction to climbing and is considered suitable for children because of its level of difficulty. For this activity too, check the difficulty level and conditions before setting out.
Events and Archaeological Traces
The Calcenada has been held since 2002 and comprises three annual sporting events: Calcenada 104, Calcenada de Primavera and Calcenada de Otoño. If you want to plan your trip around one of these events, check the dates for the year you wish to travel. The annual events are a separate planning consideration from the hiking and cycling routes, where the choice depends on whether you prefer a circular route or a section with a specific endpoint.
Prehistoric history is also present in the surrounding area: human burial remains from the Neolithic period, along with associated prehistoric materials, were found in a cave near Calcena. Access is regulated. This archaeological history adds a much earlier period to the later traces of mining and the architectural history of the Iglesia de la Virgen de los Reyes.
Discover more destinations: Las Cuerlas, Calatayud, Novallas, Aniñón, Villalba de Perejil, Santa Engracia, Alhama De Aragón, Lituénigo.
For the main travel overview: Saragossa.
