Contact us:
+44 (0)208 123 5049
info@hikepyrenees.co.uk
Discover Ordesa
Guided Walking Holiday
£799 per person
2013 Dates
16 -
1 -
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-
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The spectacular Ordesa National Park is one of the highlights of the Pyrenees. This guided walking holiday explores the incredible diversity of the park, from it’s deep canyons to it’s high alpine meadows.
We offer two guided walking options each day -
The holiday is based at the four star Hotel Ordesa which is ideally located for walkers at the entrance to the Ordesa Valley just outside Torla. The hotel has excellent facilities including an outdoor pool and garden area.
The Ordesa Valley is Spain’s oldest protected area and was made a UNESCO world heritage site in 1996 due to it’s incredible diversity of flora and fauna with many rare species found there including the lammergeier and the illusive desman.
“Walking with Hike Pyrenees is a very special experience -
Dual level walking
There is a choice of two walks each day and you can decide each morning which to join. One will be a grade 1 or 2 walk and the other a longer grade 3 or 4 hike.
Easier Option
Walks: 5 to 7 hours
Walks are at a relaxed pace with plenty of time to
take in the views, take photos and enjoy surroundings. 5-
Ascents: 300m to 600m
Ascents are not steep or sustained.
Paths: Good paths
All of the walks will be on good paths or on meadows with only short
rocky sections and no vertiginous drops.
Longer Option
Walks: 6 to 9 hours
Walks are at a moderate pace but not rushed and we
take time to enjoy our time in the mountains with several breaks and lunch. Some
of the routes are quite long and fairly challenging.
Ascents: 600m to 1000m
Some big initial ascents up the side of the canyons which are
steep although on good paths.
Paths: Generally good but some expose sections
The paths are generally good in the
park but their will be two days with some exposure with some fairly narrow paths
and biggish drops -
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.
Sunday -
Arrive in Torla from Zaragoza in the evening. On arrival we’ll have a short briefing over a snack.
Monday
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.
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.
Tuesday
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-
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.
Wednesday
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.
High level: Ordesa -
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.
Thursday -
Free day to explore the village of Torla, take a short walk or relax and enjoy the hotel’s pool or spa facilities (additional fees apply for the spa). In the evening we’ll visit the medieval walled town of Ainsa for a stroll around it’s pretty streets and some tapas.
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.
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-
Saturday
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.
High level: Plana Cuasta
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.
Sunday -
Free day in Torla leaving mid-
4* Hotel Ordesa
The holiday is based in the Hotel Ordesa just outside of Torla -
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-
The Hotel Ordesa has a spa with a steam room, jacuzzi and an on-
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.
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-
Alongside the church is a small ‘castle’ -
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.
Click any image for a full size version
Discover Ordesa
2013 Dates
Sun 16 -
Sun 1 -
Price
£799 per person (based on two sharing a double or twin room)
£89 single supplement
Included
7 nights in 4* Hotel Ordesa
5 days fully guided walking (choice of two walks each day)
Breakfast each morning
Picnic lunches each walking day
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
From the UK
There are direct flights from London Stansted to Zaragoza. You can also fly to Barcelona or Madrid and can catch the AVE fast train to Zaragoza. We pick up at both the train station and the airport.
From outside Europe
Most of our guests from outside of Europe fly via Barcelona or Madrid, combing a stay in one of these two excellent cities with their walking holiday. From either city there are excellent rail links to Zaragoza.
See more travel options and details on our getting here page.
Photos taken on our Lakes & Valleys walking holiday
Click any image for a full size version
Guest reviews
Comments from guests who’ve been on our Discover Ordesa walking holiday.
Walking with Hike Pyrenees is a very special experience -
This wonderful holiday has been made all the richer by the absolute first class care
and consideration of Phil and his staff. Very many thanks for a marvellous trip.
David
What a fabulous holiday with amazing hikes, incredible scenery and wonderful knowledgeable
guides. Thank you for a great time!
Karen
Thank you for a wonderful holiday. The scenery is superb and the walks really enjoyable.
The standard of the guides was excellent -
A holiday that far exceeded my expectations due to the care and thoughtfulness of
our two leaders Phil & Hannah.
Sue
Being avid hikers from the Seattle area, we've always wanted to hike the Pyrenees
but were not quite sure that our limited Spanish speaking skills would let us negotiate
it on our own. Luckily, we booked a trip with Phil and all the logistics were taken
care of for us! Hikes were fantastic, group was superb, and we left feeling we'd
really seen the Ordesa valley. As our new international friends would say, the trip
was brilliant!
Chris & Clay
My ‘Hike Pyrenees’ experience was fantastic. Phil, Anna and Hannah made an excellent
team and provided a unique, safe, well organised holiday package. Excellent value
for money!
Catherine
Clean and friendly hotel; great variety of hikes; beautiful scenery; excellent company
and guides. Overall superb value for money. Thank you Phil & Hannah.
Rosemary & Ian
Phil & Hannah made our walking holiday perfect from the very good pack lunches to
the fabulous scenery. We will come again.
David & Janet
The holiday was great value. We especially liked the choice of two different walks
each day. In many instances it would have been very challenging to do self guided
versions of the hiking we did.
Carolyn & Wayne
Great walking in beautiful scenery with our friendly and professional guides Phil
& Hannah.
Richard
Thank you Phil, Anna and Hannah. One word describes the week -
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Hike Pyrenees Ltd, Registered No. 6452828, Tel +44 (0)20 8123 5049, Email info@hikepyrenees.co.uk
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