There are those who are looking for her between legends, old maps or stories whispered on storm nights. They call her the mouth of hell, a name that awakens both fear and fascination. There is talk of a place embedded between vertical rocks, where echo seems to speak another language and water flows as if it wanted to escape something. Some think that it is only a myth, others throw themselves to discover it without knowing that, to find it, we must not cross oceans or open portals to the underworld: the true mouth of hell is in Teruel.
Specifically, it is located in Aliaga, a small municipality nestled in the region of the Mining Basins, in the south of Aragon, which presumes to be much more than a picturesque people. Here, the trails lead to landscapes of vertigo full of mysticism, but also to vestiges of the history of the earth. And Aliaga houses one of the oldest geological parks in Europe, in addition to an unparalleled offer of routes, ravines and experiences for wild nature lovers.
But the attractiveness of this Turolense municipality is not just natural. Among its architectural jewels is the church of San Juan Bautista, a majestic baroque construction of the seventeenth century among many others.
Boca del Hell, mandatory route for expert hikers
What to do and what to do in Aliaga
Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Zarza
San Juan Bautista Parish Church
Boca del Hell, mandatory route for expert hikers
In the deepest and most narrow part of the Guadalope River is the mouth of hell, a formation that acts as a natural shot of the evil hoz. In this narrowing, the river flows between rocky walls, generating deep pools and bathing areas, accessible after descending through catwalks or walking next to the channel. This area combines adventure with rest: you can swim in cold waters surrounded by a spectacular geological environment
Aliaga has one of the oldest geological parks in Europe. Photo: Aliaga City Council
From here, the route can be extended to other viewpoints or return along the same path. The feeling of being within a natural throat makes the mouth of hell one of the most overwhelming and photogenic enclaves of the environment.
It is a reference for the practice of Barranquismo in Teruel, although it is not a technical ravine, it does require caution and good footwear, especially in the most encased areas. Thanks to its relative accessibility and spectacularity, it is one of the most recommended places for those who wish to discover the wildest facet in southern Aragon.
Aliaga is a reference in sports such as Barranquismo. Photo: Aliaga City Council
What to do and what to do in Aliaga
In addition, in Aliaga there are many other paths to discover as a family, with friends or Soloy, as it is not essential to visit and be captivated by the local architecture that Aliaga preserves.
Barranco del Hocino
The snout ravine, located between Aliaga and Tramacastiel, is a jewel for medium-low level barranchism. With an approximate length of 2.5km and a slope of about 80m, it combines rocky sections, affordable rappels and a final cave that flows into an exceptional waterfall, ideal for an adventure morning. It is an accessible excursion for hikers and also suitable for basic experience in aquatic progression.
The descent includes between 5 and 7 rappels, some interiors and others abroad with heights between 6 and 16m, making necessary the use of technical and frontal equipment for the cave. Its approach from Tramacastiel is around 30-40 minutes, and although the technical difficulty is classified as moderate (V2/A1), it does not present major risks. A bet for those looking for an experience in ravine without extreme complications.
Bad hoz
The bad hoz is a spectacular cannon excavated by the Guadalope River, which enters the heart of the Aliaga Geological Park. This hiking route passes through metal catwalks hanging from the walls, with dizzying views to the channel and the karst formations that reveal the geological history of the area.
The route, about 5-12km according to the version (the path from the old thermal power plant to the Tosca Masía measures around 7km), is considered of moderate difficulty, with exposed sections little recommended for people with vertigo.
This linear (or circular route, if expanded) allows you to appreciate riverside vegetation, local fauna and formations such as “Valloré” or other narrows that extend from the mouth of hell. The path includes stairs, cables and bridges, which facilitates the passage in difficult areas while keeping the feeling of immersion in a wild environment alive.
Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Zarza
Located in the southeast of Aliaga, next to the Guadalope River and surrounded by vegetation, is the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Zarza, a seventeenth -century baroque church is one of the most striking temples of religious heritage in Teruel. Built in masonry and stonework, it rises outside the urban nucleus, in a quiet environment that enhances its architectural value. In front of the main facade, a small landscaped enclosure is extended that gives access to the building, formed by three ships covered with half -cannon vaults with lunetos, cruise with dome on drum and a greater chapel topped in shell vault.
The Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Zarza is one of the most striking temples of religious heritage in Terue. Photo: Aliaga City Council
One of the most prominent elements of this baroque church in Aliaga is its inner decoration with scheduled, recently restored to highlight its expressiveness. The reasons represent the head of the temple, although they also evoke designs similar to those of other churches in Teruel such as El Salvador or El Carmen. As stated, the outer construction was completed in 1685. Its monumental facade presents a mixed profile flanked by two turrets, and a cover of two bodies with a half -point and niche arc, framed by pilasters and crowned by a double curvature pediment, which makes it an essential visit for lovers of baroque architecture in Alto Aragón.
San Juan Bautista Parish Church
The Parish Church of San Juan Bautista rises as one of the greatest treasures of the religious heritage of Teruel. Built in masonry and masonry in the mid-seventeenth century, it stands out for its church-salon plant: three naves of equal height, five sections and covered with half-cannon vaults and windows, sustained by cruciform pillars that reinforce its feeling of amplitude.
The baroque cover, dated in 1636, is located on the north side under a shelter arch, while the bell tower, to the east, consists of three bodies: two lower prismatic squares of square base and an octagonal upper auction.
The Church of San Juan Bautista, an outstanding seventeenth -century baroque temple in Aliaga (Teruel), is open to the public on weekends. The schedules according to their website: Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Saturdays from 8.30 to 20.00 hours and Sundays from 9.00 to 19.00 hours, although they warn that they can vary.
Aliaga Castle
At the top of a hill that dominates the town of Aliaga, in the province of Teruel, the remains of the Castle of the Encomienda, a medieval fortress with Muslim origin that occupies more than 4,000 square meters. This enclosure, one of the most extensive in the entire province, is currently publicly owned and constitutes an important testimony of the defensive and strategic past of the Turolense teacher.
The history of the castle is marked by continuous domain changes. He was conquered by Alfonso I of Aragon in 1118, who gave him Lope Johanes de Tarazona, such as other strengths in the area. However, after the death of the monarch in 1134, Aliaga returned to Muslim hands until Alfonso II recovered it definitively. By then, in 1162, the castle had already been ceded to the order of the hospitals, which made it the headquarters of a parcel from which other enclaves such as Pitarque, Fortanete or Villarroya de los Pinares were controlled.
At the top of a hill that dominates the town of Aliaga, the remains of the Encomienda Castle are raised. Photo: Aliaga City Council
During the fifteenth century, the castle was also the scene of noble disputes. In 1462 he was occupied by the Lord of Híjar, who supported Carlos de Viana against King Juan II in the Navarra Civil War. After its reconciliation, the lineage received Aliaga County and, later, in 1487, the title of Dukes of Aliaga. Today, the castle retains its patrimonial value as one of the most representative fortified sets in southern Aragon.
Wagon tunnel
Aliaga, in the Turolense region of Mining Basins, keeps one of the most unique routes of the Geological Park: access to the tunnel of the wagons, a vestige of the industrial past in the area. This tunnel excavated in limestone was used to transport coal using a wiring system to the Aliaga thermal power plant. Today, converted into a tourist interest point, offers a unique experience between nature, history and views of vertigo.
The tour begins near the water clearance of the crossing of the fields, where a well -marked path that ascends towards the Loma Cantera de Carro Aliaga begins. As height gains, the landscape is transformed into a real natural viewpoint overlooking the valley. From there, a bifurcation leads directly to the tunnel, perfectly protected with rope railings. Crossing it is safe, short and absolutely recommended.
Although the most direct access to the tunnel through the old industrial zone is possible, it is not recommended for people with vertigo or without experience, since it requires a small climb. The Alternative by path, on the other hand, allows you to calmly enjoy the route and connect with other itineraries of the Aliaga Geological Park.
How to get to Aliaga
From Saragossa
Zaragoza’s journey to Aliaga is approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes and the fastest path is for the A-23.
From Huesca
The Aliaga Route to Huesca It is 2 hours and 40 minutes and, like Zaragoza’s route to Aliaga, the fastest road is for the A-23.
From Teruel
From Teruel it is a way is less than an hour, 53 minutes and the fastest road is the N-420.
