Itinerary

These walks explore the Ordesa National Park and it’s immediate surroundings. This is a sample itinerary and the exact routes will depend on conditions and the kind of walks the group would like to do.

Saturday -Torla

Arrive in Torla from Zaragoza in the evening. On arrival we’ll have a short briefing over a snack.

Sunday

Low level: Camino de Turieto
A superb introduction to the area along a quiet, ancient path from straight from the hotel into the Ordesa Valley passing through beautiful beech woods with excellent views of the cliffs of Ordesa.
Distance: 12 km (7.4 miles). Ascent: +/- 400 (1320 feet)

High level: Faja Racon
Wonderful hike around the base of the cliffs of Ordesa. First we climb into the Circo de Corrieta before contouring around the cliffs. One of the best hikes for getting a sense of the scale of the valley.
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles). Ascent: +/- 600 m (1970 feet)

Monday

Low level: Valle de Otal
Starting at Bujaruelo we turn into a hanging valley to discover a beautiful high alpine meadow where we find fields of alpine forget-me-nots  and some of the rarer orchids and fritillaries.
Distance: 12 km (7.4 miles). Ascent: +/- 400 m (1320 feet)

High level: Ordiso/Otal circuit
This wonderful circular walk takes in two hanging valleys linked by a high pass. Great views north to Vignemale and east to the peaks of Gabieto.
Distance: 15 km (9.3 miles). Ascent: +/- 800 m (2630 feet)

Tuesday

Low level: The Ordesa Valley
A walk along the floor of the Ordesa Valley. We pass through ancient beech and silver pine woods, past several waterfalls, with the sheer cliffs of Ordesa rising above us on both sides. The woodland gives way to give fantastic views of the 3000m Monte Perdido at the head of the valley.
Distance: 17 km (10.5 miles). Ascent: +/- 450 m (1480 feet)

High level: Ordesa - Faja de Pelay
A steep climb leads us to a spectacular path high on the cliffs of Ordesa. Stunning views of the Breche de Roland, the string of 3000m peaks on the border and Monte Perdido.
Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles). Ascent: +/- 750 m (2460 feet)

Wednesday - Rest Day

Around 10 am, we’ll meet and drive to the nearby town of Ainsa, mediaeval town lies at the convergence of the Ara and Cinca rivers. It’s fascinating old quarter sits perched upon a hilltop with commanding views of the countryside and of the cliffs of Peña Montañesa.
We’ll visit the Ecomuseum to learn about the bearded vulture conservation program and the Pyrenean wildlife. Following this we’ll visit the church of Santa Maria, have some free time in the town and finish with a tapas lunch before heading back to Torla.

Thursday

Low level: The Añisclo Canyon
Another of the parks spectacular valleys. Waterfalls cascade down the steep cliffs that rise on each side of the canyon. We walk through woodland alongside the Rio Bellós watching overhead for griffon vultures and perhaps a lammergeier circling on the thermals.
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles). Ascent: +/- 500 m (1640 feet)

High level: Pelopín
From the hotel we climb through woods and alpine meadows to a peak with superb views into the Ordesa valley and over the string of 3000m peaks on the French border.
Distance: 17 km (10.5 miles). Ascent: +/- 750 m (2460 feet)

Friday

Low level: The rim of Ordesa
A 4x4 takes us high into the meadows above the Ordesa Canyon. From there we walk along the rim of the canyon for spectacular views before catching the 4x4 back down to the hotel.
Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles). Ascent: +/- 300 m (990 feet)

High level: Ordesa and Añisclo
Taking a 4x4 for over 1200m ascent allows us to first walk above the Ordesa Valley before crossing over alpine meadows to the Añisclo Canyon for more spectacular views. An absolutely stunning day with birds-eye views throughout.
Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles). Ascent: 460 m (1510 feet), descent: 1330 m (4360 feet)

Saturday - Torla

Leave Torla after breakfast for your transfer back to Zaragoza airport or train station.

Discover Ordesa Dates & Prices

2027

12 - 19 June
10 - 17 July
11 - 18 September

Price

1899 € per person (based on two sharing a double or twin room)
200 € single supplement

Included

7 nights in 4* Hotel Ordesa
5 days fully guided walking (choice of two walks each day)
7 x Breakfast each morning
5 x Picnic lunches each walking day
6 x 3 course evening meals each night (excluding rest day)
Transfers to and from Zaragoza train station or airport and to the walks each day

Not included

Flights, insurance, drinks with evening meal and lunch and evening meal on the rest day

Getting to the Pyrenees

Transfers are included from Zaragoza Airport or Zaragoza-Delicias train station on the arrival and departure days.

The travel information below is based on the 2027 train and flight schedules. It is provided as a guide to help you understand how our transfers usually work.

By train – Zaragoza-Delicias

Zaragoza is well connected by train from both Madrid and Barcelona. You can travel via either city and catch the AVE high-speed train to Zaragoza-Delicias, where we will pick you up. The AVE is comfortable and smooth, and the journey from either Barcelona or Madrid usually takes around 1 hour 40 minutes.

For the 2027 season, our arrival transfer from Zaragoza-Delicias train station is at 12:00 midday, and our departure transfer drops off at Zaragoza-Delicias at approximately 11:45.

2027 arrival transfer – trains that fit well with our 12:00 midday pick-up:
Iryo trains
Depart Barcelona 9:50, arrive Zaragoza 11:13
Depart Madrid 9:57, arrive Zaragoza 11:17
RENFE trains
Depart Barcelona 9:55, arrive Zaragoza 11:38
Depart Madrid 10:27, arrive Zaragoza 11:47

2027 departure transfer – trains that fit well with our 11:45 drop-off:
RENFE train
Depart Zaragoza 12:26, arrive Madrid 13:52
Depart Zaragoza 12:52, arrive Barcelona 14:46
Iryo train
Depart Zaragoza 12:41, arrive Barcelona 14:14

By air – London Stansted to Zaragoza

There are also direct flights from London Stansted to Zaragoza with Ryanair on Saturdays, and our 2027 transfers are timed to meet this flight.

2027 Saturday flight times:
Depart Stansted 11:30, arrive Zaragoza 14:45
Depart Zaragoza 15:20, arrive Stansted 16:25

For more details of our transfers, please see our getting here page. If you would like help choosing suitable flights or trains, please drop us an email and we’ll be happy to help.

Hotel

4* Hotel Ordesa

The holiday is based in the Hotel Ordesa just outside of Torla - a superb location on the borders of the national park with views into the valley.

The four star hotel has excellent facilities including a restaurant, café bar, reading room and a comfortable lounge with card tables and a log fire.There is a mixture of twin, doubles and family rooms all with en-suite bathrooms.

The Hotel Ordesa has a spa with a steam room, jacuzzi and an on-site masseuse with a full range of treatments available (there is a charge for use of the spa facilities).

Three course meals are served in the restaurant each evening and you have a choice of starters, main course and dessert. On the evening of the rest day we visit Ainsa for tapas. Lunch and evening meal on the rest day is not included.

The hotel is in a tranquil location 15 minutes walk from the village of Torla.

Read more about Hotel Ordesa

Hotel Ordesa

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The Ordesa National Park

The Ordesa Valley was pronounced a national park by Royal Decree on the 13 July 1918 and is the oldest protected area in Spain.

Initially the park was just 21 square kilometres.

In 1982 the parks borders were extended to include the Añisclo Canyon, the Perdido massif and the head of the Pineta Valley increasing the protected area to 156 square kilometres.

The park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 in recognition of it’s diverse flora and fauna and it’s outstanding natural beauty.

Torla

Known as the gateway to Ordesa Torla makes an ideal base from which to explore the national park.

Torla’s a pretty village with stone houses, small plazas and it’s winding streets have the cliffs of Ordesa as a backdrop. There’s a good choice of bars, restaurants, shops and a small supermarket.

The church of San Salvador is the most important historical monument in Torla. It’s origins are Romanesque with the tower and west walls dating from the 13th century. During 16th century the church was expanded to meet the demands of the growing population of the village.

Records from this time give details of rich  decorations in the church such as an altarpiece dedicated to San Miguel and a large gothic cross. Unfortunately all these were destroyed during the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) and currently the church has baroque decorations dating from the 17th and 18th century.

Alongside the church is a small ‘castle’ - now not much more than a fortified house. The castle began as a defensive tower that was built in the late 13th century to guard against attacks from France.

The tower stood to the east of the castle building and the name of Torla is derived from this tower. It was part of a defensive system in the Ara valley that includes the castle at Ainsa and the defensive towers in Oto and Fiscal.

The castle is now small ethnological museum with displays on the traditional jobs and customs of the area.