Route description
Peña Galera is one of the landmark summits of the Puertos de Beceite, offering exceptional panoramic views. The name Peña Galera comes from its resemblance in shape to a great galley ship. This route offers a varied, steady and fairly direct ascent, with cliffs visible on all sides and the ruins of a farmhouse near the summit — a reminder of how hard life must have been for the mountain dwellers of old (some 80 years ago).
The route begins in the upper part of Beceite, at the start of the paved road towards "La Pesquera". Walk a few metres along it, then leave the road via a trail to the right, waymarked as a P.R. with white and yellow marks. The path quickly changes slope and continues parallel to the Barranco de les Comellasos ravine, from where you can enjoy fine views of the start of the Puertos de Beceite massif and of the village. The trail winds through several bends until it meets a path that descends back through woodland to the paved La Pesquera road. Here the trail forks, since there are two ways to ascend to Peñagalera. The suggestion is to ascend by the normal route and descend via the Collado de Pelele pass.
Walk a few metres along the paved Ulldemó valley track until you reach the Toll (pool) de Pablet, where you cross the Ulldemó river without a bridge. Note that during periods of heavy rain, due to the possible sudden rise of the river, this section should not be attempted. On the other side begins the ascending path along the Solana de Estes, which gains height decisively towards the summit.
You come to a bare ridge where the panoramic views are already spectacular. Continue along the well-marked trail running along the top of the ridge in a N.E. direction, steadily gaining height — you are on the slope known as the "dels Arrancapets".
The path leaves the ridge as you approach some rock walls that block the way. Begin a long detour to the right, heading east. This stretch is fairly flat.
The detour ends and you enter a wooded gully, climbing again in a N.N.E. direction. The trail is clear and well marked.
Cross a dry stream and begin a new horizontal detour over open ground, now heading S.E.
Round a ridge and change direction completely. The trail now heads N.N.E., alternating flat stretches with gentle ascents. For the first time, you have a close view of the highest peak, with very good partial panoramic views. You begin to walk through the area known as the "Sierra mediana".
On the slope near the summit, a path joins from the left. Continue climbing gently and steadily towards the east.
Pass in front of the ruins of the Caseta de la Muela, situated in a narrow pass at 989 metres altitude. The path continues climbing east. The summit is near.
A trail joins from the right. Continue gaining height, walking straight ahead until you reach the summit of Peñagalera: 1,034 metres, where a geodetic vertex is located. A place with breathtaking views.
The descent follows the other side of the massif; a few metres from the summit the path diverts to continue the itinerary. After crossing a small ravine, you reach the Coll de Pelele pass. From there, through woodland, you descend quickly to the Ulldemó river, which you cross again to reach the paved road. Continue along the same road back to the fork mentioned earlier, returning by the same route. On this stretch you can enjoy excellent views of the "Racó de les Olles" and the "Racó de San Antoni", and the various pools of the Ulldemó river.
