Night in vibouac after a snowshoe hike and a dinner at a mountain refuge in the Tena Valley

If counting sheep no longer works for you, try counting constellations.

A full 17-hour winter adventure awaits you in Piedrafita de Jaca . You’ll explore the heart of the Tena Valley on snowshoes, learn how to set up your own bivouac with mountain guides, and share a traditional dinner in a mountain refuge before spending the night under the Pyrenean sky.

Sleeping under the open sky in the middle of winter sounds like madness until you discover the absolute silence of the snow-covered valley.

What we will do

We’ll arrive 5 minutes early at the meeting point in Piedrafita de Jaca, in the Tena Valley, where we’ll be met by qualified mountain guides. There, we’ll be given an individual rucksack containing all the necessary technical equipment: snowshoes, a down sleeping bag, a bivouac sack, a sleeping bag liner, a sleeping mat and an insulated mat.

We’ll then put on our snowshoes to set off on our night-time trek. We’ll tackle an accessible 4. 5 km route with a 390-metre elevation gain, making our way under the starlight and the glow of our headlamps. We’ll enjoy the silence of the mountains and, in less than 2 hours, we’ll reach the campsite.

Once there, whilst dinner is being prepared in the refuge, we’ll work alongside the guide to build our bivouac in the snow. For about an hour and a half, we’ll learn the techniques for laying the base and preparing a sleeping area that’s fully protected from the winter cold. Time will fly by as it takes shape.

To recharge our batteries, we’ll head into the warmth of the refuge, where a traditional dinner awaits us, featuring ‘migas a la pastora’, a cheese platter, local cured meats and the classic Huesca plaited bread, all accompanied by a good glass of red wine.

After a leisurely after-dinner chat, it will be time to head outdoors and slip into our sleeping bags to rest under the open sky, surrounded by the Pyrenean peaks and a sky free from light pollution. We’ll wake up at the first light of dawn and head into the refuge for a hot breakfast of coffee with milk, pastries and fruit.

After packing up the bivouac, we’ll put our snowshoes back on to begin the return journey, taking a detour to admire the frozen waters of the Ibón de Piedrafita in the morning sun.

At around 11 am, we’ll reach the starting point to return the equipment and say our goodbyes. The entire experience will last around 17 hours.

Who it is aimed at

No previous experience of snowshoeing or outdoor camping is required .

The activity is suitable for those aged 14 and over; all minors must be accompanied by one adult each.

This experience is not suitable for women in the late stages of pregnancy.

This activity is not accessible to people with mobility issues or to blind people.

You must inform the guide of any heart conditions or other medical conditions before the activity. You will receive the contact details in the booking confirmation email.

Other information

The experience takes place from December to March, depending on snowfall, and is confirmed once a minimum of four participants has been reached .

The dinner menu will include migas a la pastora, a platter of local cheeses and cured meats , and the classic Huesca plaited bread. Breakfast comprises coffee with milk, fresh fruit and pastries. If you have any allergies, intolerances or follow a special diet, please check the available options in advance. You will receive the contact details in the booking confirmation email.

Dogs are not permitted during the experience.

We recommend wearing warm, breathable clothing in three layers (a thermal base layer, an insulated jumper or fleece, and a waterproof jacket) and bringing hiking trousers with thermal leggings and/or waterproof overtrousers if necessary.

Free parking is available on site. The meeting point is not accessible by public transport.

Recommended clothing

• Thermal underwear
• Thermal top, ski trousers and ski jacket
• Waterproof boots
• Spare T-shirt + thermal leggings
• Hat, gloves (2 pairs) and socks (2–3 pairs)

Don't forget to bring

• Glasses (sunglasses or snow goggles)
• Sun cream
• Water bottle (1 litre)
• Personal care kit