Refugio de Lizara

Refugio de Lizara is a staffed mountain refuge located at 1,540 metres above sea level in the municipality of Aragüés del Puerto, in the Aragüés-Jasa valley within the Valles Occidentales Natural Park, in the Jacetania comarca of the province of Huesca, Aragón, Spain. It sits on the Plana de Lizara at the foot of the Bisaurín peak, a strategic point long used by shepherds and mountaineers. The refuge is owned by the Mancomunidad Forestal de Aragüés del Puerto y Jasa, a forest commonwealth formed by the two neighbouring municipalities, and it has been in operation since 1989. The current refuge traces its origin to 1989, when the Mancomunidad Forestal built the first building on the site of an old Carabineros post. Ten years later, in 1999, a fire reduced that first refuge to ashes; the facility was subsequently rebuilt and continues to serve visitors today. It is guarded year-round, with staffing from November to May and on weekends and public holidays. The refuge offers 75 bunk places, meal service, showers and toilets, hot water, heating, blankets, lockers, rest footwear, a first-aid room and a multi-purpose classroom. Since 2004 it has held ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management model and environmental awareness campaigns. As a base for outdoor activities, Refugio de Lizara is a starting point for many hikers heading to the summit of the Bisaurín, for walking the GR 11 long-distance trail and the La Senda de Camille trekking route, and for cross-country skiing in winter. The official website also lists climbing and via ferrata, ascents, hiking, ski touring and snowshoeing among the activities associated with the refuge. Access is possible by car as far as the refuge itself, since the track is asphalted along its entire route; on foot, it can be reached in about three hours from the Refugio de Gabardito. The refuge is located about 11 km from Aragüés del Puerto, reached from Puente la Reina de Jaca by taking the turn-off towards Hecho and then following the signposted diversion before the Jasa junction. In commercial terms, Refugio de Lizara operates as a hospitality and mountain-services brand under public-commonwealth ownership rather than as a private company. Its offering combines accommodation in shared bunk rooms, a bar and dining room on the ground floor, and information and support services for mountaineers and nature visitors. Its reputation is closely tied to its setting in the Valles Occidentales and to its role in the network of refuges of the Aragonese Pyrenees.

The Refugio de Lizara has its origin in 1989, when the Mancomunidad Forestal de Aragüés-Jasa built the first refuge building on the site of an old Carabineros post, in an area with a pastoral tradition and a strategic point for shepherds and mountaineers. The refuge was inaugurated in 1989 and is owned by the Mancomunidad Forestal de Aragüés del Puerto y Jasa. Ten years after its opening, in 1999, a fire reduced that first refuge to ashes. The facility was subsequently rebuilt and has continued to operate as a staffed mountain refuge. It is guarded year-round, with staffing from November to May and on weekends and public holidays. Over time the refuge developed its services and environmental credentials. Since 2004 it has held ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management model and environmental awareness campaigns. Today it offers 75 bunk places, meal service, showers and toilets, hot water, heating, blankets, lockers, rest footwear, a first-aid room and a multi-purpose classroom. Located at 1,540 metres in the Plana de Lizara, at the foot of the Bisaurín in the Aragüés-Jasa valley within the Valles Occidentales Natural Park, the refuge has become a well-known base for hikers and mountaineers. It is a starting point for ascents of the Bisaurín, for the GR 11 long-distance trail and the La Senda de Camille trekking route, and for cross-country skiing in winter. Access is possible by car as far as the refuge itself, since the track is asphalted along its entire route, or on foot in about three hours from the Refugio de Gabardito.

• 2004

  The refuge obtains ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management model and environmental awareness campaigns.

• 1999

  A fire reduces the first refuge to ashes.

• 1989

  The Mancomunidad Forestal de Aragüés-Jasa builds the first refuge building on the site of an old Carabineros post; the refuge is inaugurated.

A publicly owned, year-round staffed mountain refuge and outdoor-activity base in the Aragonese Pyrenees, known for its location at the foot of the Bisaurín and its ISO 14001 environmental management.

• Mountain refuge accommodation

  75 bunk places, with a 16-place room with 16 bunks and two bathrooms, and an 8-place room with 8 bunks and its own bathroom on the first floor.

• Bar and dining room

  Bar and dining room on the ground floor for meals and refreshments.

• Mountaineering and nature services

  Support and information for climbing and via ferrata, ascents, hiking, ski touring, snowshoeing and nature activities.

1. 1Refugio de Lizara | Pirineo Aragonés, Huescarefugiodelizara.com
2. 2Refugio de Lizarawikidata.org
3. 3Refugio de Lizaraes.wikipedia.org