Visit our updated Ordesa walking holiday page
Discover Ordesa
- Guided walks exploring the Ordesa National Park
- Walk the stunning Anisclo and Ordesa Canyons
- Superb wild flowers and birds of prey
The spectacular Ordesa National Park is one of the highlights of the Pyrenees. Our Discover Ordesa holiday explores the incredible diversity of the park from the cliffs of the Ordesa Canyon to it's high alpine meadows.
A World Heritage Site and Spain's first protected area created by Royal decree in 1918, the park has incredible displays of flowers - lilies, iris, asphodels, insect eating butterworts, rock jasmine and edelweiss are all commonly seen on our walks. Marmots and sarrios (Pyrenean chamois) are regularly spotted as are griffon vultures and occasionally lammergeier. Read our guide to walking in Ordesa for more information on the flora and fauna of the park.
We'll walk some of the famous routes such as the Anisclo and Ordesa Canyons as well as searching out some of the lesser known spots.
We are running two holidays in Ordesa this year. June is the best time of year for wild flowers, while our September trip allows you to see the park in it's fabulous autumn colours.
Accommodation
You'll stay in the four star Hotel Ordesa with views into the Ordesa Canyon. The hotel has excellent facilities including a bar, restaurant, lounge and spa with steam room and jacuzzi.
Three course evening meals are served in the restaurant each evening (apart from the rest day when we'll visit the nearby town of Ainsa).
The pretty village of Torla has a range of shops, bars and all of the amenities you'll need and is less than ten minutes walk away.
Gentle grade
A week of fairly gentle walking. Although some of the days will be reasonably long (up to seven hours) the routes are on good paths and at a relaxed pace with plenty of time to soak up the views and look at the flora and fauna.
Itinerary
The walks will investigate the Ordesa National Park and it's immediate surroundings. This is a sample itinerary and the exact choice of routes will depend on the weather and the kind of walks the group would like to do.
Sunday
Arrive in Torla from Zaragoza in the evening. On arrival we'll have a short briefing over a snack.
Monday
Starting at Bujaruelo we turn into Valle de Otal - a hanging valley hiding a beautiful high alpine meadow where we find fields of forget-me-knots and rarer flowers such as orchids and fritillaries.
Tuesday
A walk along the floor of the Ordesa Canyon. A good path leads us through ancient beech and birch woods, past several waterfalls with the sheer cliffs of Ordesa rising on both sides. The woodland gives way to give fantastic views of the three thousand metre Monte Perdido at the head of the valley.
Wednesday
We follow the Rio Ara upstream through an enchanting valley, under the three thousand metre border peak of Vignemale.
Thursday
Rest day - free day to explore the village of Torla, take a short walk or relax and enjoy the hotel's excellent spa facilities (additional fee applies). In the evening we'll visit the medieval town of Ainsa to stroll around it's pretty streets and try some of the excellent tapas available.
Friday
The Anisclo Canyon is another of the parks spectacular valleys. Waterfalls cascade down the steep cliffs that rise from each side of the canyon. We walk through woodland alongside the Rio Bellos watching overhead for griffon vultures and perhaps a Lammergeier.
Saturday
The Camino de Turieto is a quiet, ancient path from Torla into the Ordesa Canyon passing through beautiful beech woods with excellent views of the rock faces of Tozal de Mallo and the other Ordesa cliffs.
Sunday
Free day in Torla leaving mid-afternoon for your transfer back to Zaragoza airport.
"A quick email to say how much I enjoyed the holiday and to thank you for all the extra little touches and thoughtfulness you both have put into it" Carol, August 2008
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2010 Dates & Prices |
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Sun 13 - 20 June |
£749 |
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Sun 5 - 12 September |
£749 |
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Single supplement £89 |
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What's Included |
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7 nights bed accommodation at 3 course evening meal Breakfasts every day Picnic lunches each walking day 5 days guided walking Transfers to and from Zaragoza airport |
Hike Pyrenees
Walking in Spain Hike Pyrenees Ltd Registered No. 6452828 Tel 020 8123 5049 Email info@hikepyrenees.co.uk
Read our guides to:
Ordesa National Park
Flora of the Pyrenees
Loarre Castle
Valle de Tena
Walking gear
San Juan de la Peña