Meet Alberto: The Mountain Guide Behind Our Pyrenees Adventures

If you’ve ever walked with one of our guides in Spain, you’ll know—it’s not just the landscapes that stay with you. It’s the people. The way that they share a picnic, point out native plants, explain centuries-old traditions, or help you spot an eagle soaring overhead.

Alberto is one of those people. With over 30 years of guiding experience—and more than six with us at Pura—he’s become a familiar name in post-trip reviews.

As one traveler recently shared: “Alberto was especially excellent with our children and enthused a love of the environment and landscape.”

– Tim, Pura client

Whether you’ve travelled with us before or are dreaming up your first walking vacation in Spain, here’s your chance to meet someone who helps make our trips truly special. Read on for a few highlights from our recent catch-up with Alberto.

Alberto's background

Alberto grew up in Zaragoza but found his way to the mountains in his early twenties, running a small mountain refuge in the Pyrenees.

“We made outdoor activities with children and summer camps. When I returned to Zaragoza, I thought, ‘No, this is not my place. I need more time in the mountains.’”

Since 1999, he’s made his home in the Pyrenees—guiding outdoor activities, studying the wildlife, and sharing the region’s stories with people from around the world.

“There is a very dangerous mosquito here,” he jokes. “The moment the mosquito stings you, you are totally in love with these mountains and cannot imagine living in another area.”

Guided days with Alberto: What to expect

If you’ve walked in the Pyrenees with us, you may already know what it’s like to explore with Alberto. He listens, he notices, and he brings the landscape alive. His love for the region is infectious.

What is it that you love about guiding?

“The first thing is working in nature. I like the idea that we have the key to maintain the good state of the environment… You can only appreciate the places you know. My work is to show very special places. This is a great part of the job, to make the connection for people to know and understand the area they are visiting.”

A big grin appeared on Alberto’s face…

“One day, a family came to see the wildlife. The mother had never seen a wallcreeper bird before—it was her dream. When she saw it, she started to cry. And I was happy, because I took the opportunity to help her. This moment was very emotive.”

Activities in the Pyrenees

One of Alberto’s favourite activities in summer is canyoning—an experience many of our travelers enjoy as part of their Pura trip.

“It's an adventure. It’s fun and refreshing. All the time the faces are like, ‘Wow, wow, wow!’ It’s not an aquatic park, it’s nature. Nature’s playground.”

While canyoning is a favourite for the thrill, the Pyrenees also offer the chance to slow things down—quiet trails for walking and birdwatching.

“We walk in the mountains, searching for birds. It’s very relaxing. It’s perfect for both children and older people. We enjoy together.”

The moment that you see a bearded vulture glide over the mountains, it’s magic—whether you’re seven or seventy. It taps into universal human instincts: curiosity, wonder, and connection to nature.

Food, new friendships & flavors of the land

We asked Alberto what makes a day in the Pyrenees memorable, and he didn't start with reaching high peaks or rare wildlife—he talks about food. Or rather, the way food brings people together.

“After canyoning, we sit on a blanket together and eat something. Empanadas, Spanish tortilla... It’s a very good moment,” he says.

These pauses are as meaningful as the adventures themselves. They’re the moments when strangers come together, swapping stories and cultures. 

And in the Pyrenees, the food tells it's own story.

“The meat is good because the animals live in freedom, not in intensive farming. In summer, the sheep, the cows, the goats roam the landscapes. You can taste the mountains.”

Tips for travel to the Pyrenees

Whether you’re a seasoned hiker and have visited the Pyrenees before, or are planning your first trip, Alberto has a few helpful suggestions for getting the most from the experience.

1. “Speak with locals. Spanish people are very friendly. Take the opportunity to have a real experience, not just a tourist experience.”

2. “Sleep in small hotels or local B&Bs, eat in local restaurants, buy from local shops. Don’t go to McDonald's. This is the solution.” -

3. And perhaps most importantly:
“Take sun protection!”

In all of our Pura trips to the Pyrenees you will stay in small guesthouses/hotels with local hosts. We provide detailed advice on the best places to eat out and each trip supports the local economy.

More Than a Guide

Guides like Alberto are the heart of our trips in Spain. They’re not contractors or one-time hires—they’re people we’ve known for years. They’ve shown us around these regions. They’ve guided our travelers again and again.

That matters. Because when you walk on a trip with Pura, you’re not just walking with a guide. You’re being welcomed by someone who we know and trust to give you the best experience possible.

As Alberto says: “You can feel really the emotion for another person. It’s a good part of the job. A connection.”

Thinking of Traveling?

Whether you’re longing to return to the Pyrenees or dreaming of your first walking trip in Spain, you’ll be in good hands.

And if you’re lucky, those hands might belong to Alberto. Contact us to enquire about Pyrenees trips.