Guide to walking in the Ordesa National Park
Established in 1918 the Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido was Spain’s first protected area and an undisputed highlight of the Pyrenees. Covering an area of 156 square kilometres the park contains the showcase valleys of Ordesa and Anisclo. In 1997 it was made a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Standing at 3355m right inthe centre of the park is the limestone summit of Monte
Perdido -
A karstic landscape
A karstic limestone layer covers the park. This layer was lifted from the sea bed fifty million years ago and was tilted and folded as it rose. Glaciers then carved the landscape creating the dramatic peaks and the steep sided valleys.
The soft limestone is also easily eroded by water and rivers have created the Añisclo and Escuain canyons.
Some of the limestone layers are softer than the others and erode quicker. This has created ledges high in the cliffs. Some of these are walkable and these paths (called ‘Fajas’) are some of the most dramatic in Europe with the Faja de las Flores being particularly airy and spectacular.
Dramatic canyons
The highlight of the park are it’s four deep canyons carved into the limestone. The Ordesa and Pineta valleys are glacial while Añisclo and the Garganta de Escuain were formed by rivers.
The Ordesa Valley is the most famous with cliffs rising over eight hundred metres on each side and Monte Perdido perched majestically at the valleys end.
The Anisclo Canyon is over a kilometre deep and the high cliffs combined with the narrow, winding nature of the valley makes it very spectacular.
The three peaks of Las Treserols -
The plateau covering much of the higher reaches of the park resembles a moonscape of gnarled rock in some places. Look up though and the dramatic peaks against the (usually!) blue sky make for an impressive site. A string of 3000m peaks run along the French border with the unmistakable cleft of Breche de Roland the only passable point.
Walking in the Ordesa National Park
The Ordesa National Park has some of the best hiking in the Pyrenees. It’s varied terrain means there are superb trails for walkers of all levels.
The Ordesa Valley
Ordesa has the most to offer hikers. There are four main routes for day hikers all starting at the Pradera car park/bus stop and ranging from gentle rambles to very airy and scary!
The valley floor
16 km, 450m ascent, 6-
Most day hikers take the path on the valley floor. A
good easy to follow path winds through lovely beech and silver fir woods with cliffs
flanking you on either side. You pass several fantastic waterfalls before the woods
open up to meadows that are filled with flowers in early summer. The trail ends at
the waterfall in the Circo de Soasa with Monte Perdido dominating the skyline above.
Faja de Pelay
22 km, 800m ascent, 8-
A spectacular path on the southern cliffs of the valley.
Your day starts with a steep climb of an hour and a half up to a fantastic mirador
with a birds-
The legendary Breche de Roland
Walking on the rim of the Ordesa Valley
Faja de las Flores -
Faja Racon
11 km, 580m ascent, 5-
This path under the northern cliffs is overlooked by
many visitors but it’s one of my favourites. You really get close to the cliffs walking
directly underneath them and get an idea of the scale of the valley. There’s a lovely
contrast between the bare rock of the cliffs on your left and the lush green woods
sloping away to your right. There’s a good chance of spotting sarrios (chamois) on
this route as well as lammergeier.
Faja de las Flores
16 km, 1150m ascent, 9-
A spectacular path a kilometre high on the northern
cliffs needing a very good head for heights. A steep path ascends over a thousand
metres passing two sets of ‘clavijas’ (iron pitons) on the way. At first there looks
no place for a path but as you get closer the eroded band shows itself and you can
see it winding it’s way along the cliff face. At only a metre or so wide with a 400
metre sheer drop to your right at all times this is not a route for the feint hearted.
The traditional descent passes across a cliff face by using an extremely scary set
of chains and pitons. Those that don’t fancy this can turn round and head back down
the way they came. A superb hike.
Monte Perdido
Spending a night in Refugio Goriz (the only hut in the park) gives you access to
a string peaks including Monte Perdido. It’s a steep ascent but the panoramic views
from the summit make the effort worthwhile. The final section from Lago Helado to
the summit is called the Escupidera (‘spittoon’) and is covered in snow and ice until
well into the summer. This section can be treacherous and crampons and ice-
At the viewpoint on the Faja de Pelay
Walking on the Faja Racon
Access to the Ordesa Valley
Most walks in Ordesa start at the Pradera where there is a car park, bus stop cafe and toilets. Private cars aren’t allowed into the valley during Easter and from the 1 July to the 14 September.
During this time a shuttle bus operates from the visitor centre in Torla. Buses run every 20 minutes and a return ticket costs 4.50E. The sevice works pretty efficiently.
Wildlife
Colonies of Griffon Vultures roost high in the cliffs of the Anisclo Canyon. This massive brown bird has length of one metre and groups are easily seen rising on the thermals created by the sun beating on the rock faces. They often fly in close formation in twos, threes or fours and make a magnificent sight as the sweep overhead searching for food.
The Ordesa valley is home to Sarrios (Pyrenean Chamois). Growing to just eighty centimetres with short horns these shy animals congregate in the upper slopes to graze in the summer. Almost hunted to extinction, Sarrio are now protected and thrive in many Pyrenean valleys.
One of the rarest and spectacular vultures -
The Garganta de Escuain has a lammergeier feeding station where they leave bones for these endangered birds. It’s a fabulous place to get close up views of the vultures.
The park is also home to 5 breeding pairs of Golden Eagles. This elegant bird of prey, while smaller than the Griffon Vulture, is majestic and expert in the air.
Ordesa Walking Holidays
Our Discover Ordesa guided walking holiday is the ideal way to explore the park. We offer two walks of differing levels each day.
Our Ordesa self guided walking holidays are perfect for those that would like to explore the park on their own. We provide maps, advice and detailed route directions for all of the best walking in the park.
Discover Ordesa
A 7 night guided walking holiday exploring the spectacular Ordesa National Park.
Two walks offered each day-
A Lammergeier spotted in the Ordesa Valley
Refugio Week
Climb Monte Perdido and walk the length of the Ordesa and Añisclo canyons staying overnight in mountain huts.
Ordesa Self Guided
Walking Holiday
We’ve route detailed descriptions for all of the best walks in Ordesa. Make the most
of your time with our knowledge and advice.
Read more...
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