Route description
The BTT-03-R04 'Los Peirons' route is located in the district of Mazaleón, in the Matarraña comarca. It is a circular itinerary of 46 km, 720 metres of elevation gain and is considered a challenging route.
The route links four monumental peirons of great artistic and symbolic value. The 'peirons' are artistic-religious landmarks: stone crosses that mark the boundary (at village entrances, crossroads and mountain summits) or commemorate a special occasion.
The four peirons are all different, and are located on the highest ridges of Mazaleón. Their positions are curious: if you were to draw an imaginary line from the northern peirón to the southern one, and from east to west, the point where the two lines cross is where the village of Mazaleón stands.
In former times, no trees or shrubs were allowed to grow around the peirons so that they could be seen from afar, as they stood between ancient royal roads and local tracks. This shows that they served as landmarks for travellers announcing the village, which is deeply hidden and not visible until you are almost upon it.
To the north stands the 'Piló del Coro', the only one in good condition; it sits at an altitude of 459 metres and is located between the old local roads to Caspe and Maella.
To the south stands the 'Piló del Barranc Fondo': at 482 metres altitude, only the base and two sections survive. From this point, the Matarraña river and the two bridges of the national road can be seen.
To the east, the 'Piló del Tossal de l'Aguila': the simplest peirón, with its third section missing, stands at 448 metres. Nearby pass the old road to Batea, the royal road to Calaceite, and the road to Maella.
To the west, the 'Piló de la Sarsa' has all three sections intact. It stands at 508 metres, between the royal roads from Alcañiz towards Maella and from Alcañiz towards Mazaleón.
