Nowhere impressive between Madrid and Zaragoza?
 

If this is what you think, read on. Going from Madrid to Zaragoza by car can be a very fulfilling two day trip.

First stop:

Day 1: Alcalá de Henares
http://www.turismoalcala.com/

Overnight.. Parador de Siguenza

http://www.parador.es/es/parador-de-siguenza

Day 2: drive to Monasterio de Piedra.

http://www.monasteriopiedra.com/foto...jes-naturaleza

The most spectacular natural park probably in Spain, boasting abundant ribbon like and full force waterfalls streaming across a huge trailed area. Grottoes with steep steps take you down to trails and then tunnels to pass behind the "Horse's Tail" waterfall. You must go into the Iris Grotto an then continue down a somewhat intimidating stone staircase to get to the most fantastic part of the park.

Keep your map! You will need it to be sure you haven't missed a section!

I am totally impressed with this place and certainly hope other nature lovers take the time to stop and overnight here, in the park at the Monastery hotel, or in the nearby city of Calatayud. One wonders how this beauty can be so close to the town.. and in a comparatively small area. So much beauty in such a small place.

It will take about 4 hours to see the park well and also tour the Monastery. Wear suitable non- slip shoes as the steps inside the grottoes are chiseled out of the stone and can be slippery.

Zaragoza is then just a long skip away.

Not interested in driving? Take the AVE high speed train to Calatayud or on your way to Barcelona, or, as it is only one hour, as a full day trip, but start early.

However, it is somewhat difficult to get to the monastery on public transportation, so renting a car or paying a very high taxi fee from Calatayud would be an option. Travel agencies also offer trips here. I have not had time to look into that option, but if you are interested, hopefully you will be able to find a way to include this natural wonder on your next Spanish vacation.

Bad intro!

I was hoping to add something interesting to the debate of whether to drive this route or not.
I know I am no travel writer, but hope my comments about the park entice someone to this magnificent place. I have already posted about the merits of Alcalá and Siguenza over the years.

Perhaps I could/should have included those recommendations also in more detail.

Is this what your comment was about?

<Bad intro!>

What an obnoxious post.

Obnoxious is not strong enough. I assume he was not smart enough to put the title of the thread with the rest of the post. Even so, very rude; unnecessary; why bother posting?

Hey, it caught my interest. Isn't that what a good intro is supposed to do?

Sounds like a beautiful park, lin! Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

I am piqued! Thanks for posting!

What a great report!

(and what a jerk)

My DD attended school in Alcalá de Henares and loved it there. Whenever I make my first trip to Spain (very high on my bucket list), I definitely plan to go there. Thanks for letting me know what is around that area so I can make an interesting trip out of it.

Hershey.. you'd better put Valencia on your radar also or I may be devastated!

I'm with CAPH52...your title and intro definitely caught my interest...I just may need to move a return trip to Spain higher on my list! :-)

I was puzzled by the comment of Iberiantraveler.

Lin, thanks for the info. I never rent a car so that might pose a problem for me. You mention there might be tours offered from Calatayud, I'll look into that. Is Calatayud itself worth a stop?

Have you visited or know anything about the Parador in Alcalá de Henares?

I enjoyed. Thanks for posting.

And dont mind the rude behavior of those above - they are always cranky and mean spirited.

this sounds wonderful.
thanks for the info.
i will be visiting spain for the first time next year when dd is doing a semester in madrid and i will add it to my itinerary.

i don't get what is wrong with the intro. care to clarify iberiantraveler?

cruiseluv. I have not yet been to the parador in Alcala but it should be very nice. I love that town. It is definitely one of the nicer day trips from Madrid. Do not miss Cervantes' birthplace home. I did a report here somewhere.

I understand there are tours from Zaragoza and perhaps Madrid? to this park. I would be concerned they may not stay in the park as long as you wanted to.. or would not cover the entire place. Best to be sure you know there will be several/at least a couple hours to roam at your leisure. There ARE a lot of steps.. those who have problems climbing up paths will have to be content with the numerous photo opportunities for the "basin " area.. which is where most of the people go first.

I would suggest, however, if your are able-bodied, to first go to the Groto IRIS, go down into it and then all the way down to the Lago de Espejp and see that part first before you get tired.

Once back from that .. then go to the "left side" of the park and do as much or little as you want.

There was a Birds of Prey show twice that Sunday but we didn't coincide with the times.

Re my "bad intro".

I guess i am not too proud nor worried about anything except getting some new info out there. I hope someone finds it useful, that's all. I just jotted it off last night after 1 a.m. when we finally got back and settled before retiring.

P.S. We did not do the Madrid route. We left from Valencia and worked our way up ( 3.5 hours) on very good roads to Calatayud, which by the way, has a very nice historical district. It was much cheaper to sleep there than at the monastery, but it was very peaceful up at that hotel. We had a lovely drink on their grassy outdoors area.

I can't wait for someone to come visit so we can take them there.

How exciting! I just found this travel agency that has tours from Zaragoza AND Catalayud . Looks like you are there about 6 hours or a bit less.

10.30 a.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sat., Sundays and all holidays!

http://www.aragon-tours.com/Monasterio-de-Piedra.asp

So, with the AVE from Madrid, get to Catalayud, then grab a hotel in the city. See the historic district. Take a leisurely walk down their "paseo". Next day, go to the park and monastery. Take late train back to Madrid or stay another night.

Lin,

Thanks again. I just went to the website but they talk about a 2 and a half hrs visit? They return to Calatayud by 17:00, so that's almost 7 hrs. I wonder what they're doing the other 4 hours? How far is it from Calatayud to Monasterio de Piedra?

I think they mean they visit the park for 2.5 hours.. then you are probably free to roan, have lunch, etc. it is about 20-30 minutes away max.

On a bus. depends if they leave on time..then unloading, getting the tickets.. walking you around.. If you go on a tour you definitely must do the park before the monastery because you will be too tired to do the park justice otherwise.

The monastery visit is included in the park ticket. (13.50E or 10 for seniors).

You wil have plenty of time to do what you want.. sit on a bench in the park. have a leisurely meal at one of three restaurants.. or a drink at the Monastery hotel. , either outside, weather permitting with a beautiful view or inside on comfy sofas until the bus goes back.

Thanks for the info. I have bookmarked for our trip to Spain next year. Loved the Parador. Our intent is to use Paradors, having stayed in two in our previous visit to Spain. Our travel will be somewhere north of Madrid. Richard