Monasterio de Piedra
Nuévalos, Spain
A former monastery whose gardens hide a string of waterfalls, including the Cola de Caballo and a grotto behind it. The paid walking circuit takes a couple of hours; weekends are busy.
The monastery was founded on 20 May 1194, when King Alfonso II of Aragon handed an old Moorish castle over to Cistercian monks; it was a foundation made from Poblet. It was secularised in 1835, and the abbey church survives only as a ruin, while the cloisters still stand and house a hotel. The Río Piedra has carved gorges and waterfalls into the limestone through karst dissolution. In the 19th century the Muntadas family laid out a park here, which was declared a "Paraje Pintoresco Nacional" (national picturesque site) in 1940.
The highest waterfall, the Cola de Caballo ("Horse's Tail"), is around 50 m high. The Iris Grotto was opened to visitors in 1860, and in 1867 Spain's first fish farm was established here. Signposted paths lead on a circuit of about five kilometres to the main sights, including the Mirror Lake ("Lago del Espejo"); there is also a bird-of-prey centre. It is best to check admission and opening hours in advance.
- Nearest town
- Nuévalos, Spain
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 41.1918, -1.7836
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and November. Hot in July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Spain: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Many former toll motorways are now free; some AP roads still charge. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Area de Autocaravanas NuevalosMotorhome stopover2 km from Monasterio de PiedraMotorhomesWaste disposalFree
- Lago ParkCampsite3 km from Monasterio de PiedraTentsCaravans
- La ViunaMotorhome stopover9 km from Monasterio de PiedraMotorhomesWaste disposal
- Área de CarenasMotorhome stopover9 km from Monasterio de PiedraMotorhomesWaste disposalFree
- Autocaravanas AtecaMotorhome stopover16 km from Monasterio de Piedra · 4 pitchesMotorhomesDrinking waterWaste disposalFree
- Area de Autocaravanas CalatayudMotorhome stopover21 km from Monasterio de Piedra · 8 pitchesMotorhomesDrinking waterWaste disposalFree
All campsites in Spain · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Monasterio de Piedra?
Monasterio de Piedra is in Nuévalos, Spain, at GPS 41.1918, -1.7836. It is about 32 km from Gallocanta.
Can you camp near Monasterio de Piedra?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Area de Autocaravanas Nuevalos, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 6 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Monasterio de Piedra?
Monasterio de Piedra is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Southern Aragon: waterfalls, cranes and Mudéjar Teruel and Mudéjar towers, migrating cranes and red rocks – by motorhome through southern Aragón to the Matarraña.
What is there to see near Monasterio de Piedra?
Places worth a stop nearby: Laguna de Gallocanta (33 km), Albarracín (92 km), Pinares de Rodeno (97 km) and Torre de El Salvador (110 km).
When is the best time to visit Monasterio de Piedra?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)