Walks will explore the Ordesa National Park, the Valle de Tena and its nearby neighbours.  One day will be spent in France hiking in the Parc National des Pyrénées. This is a sample itinerary – there are many excellent routes in the area and the exact routes will depend on the weather, trail conditions and what the group would like to achieve.

Saturday – Arrive in Torla

Arrive in Torla from Zaragoza late afternoon. Short briefing to talk through the week and answer any questions you have.

Sunday – Bujaruelo Valley

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, iris 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)

Monday – Ordesa National Park

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: 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)

Tuesday – The rim of Ordesa

Low level: The rim of Ordesa
A 4×4 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 4×4 back down to the hotel.
Distance: 11 km (6.8 miles). Ascent: +/- 300 m (990 feet)

High level: Ordesa and Añisclo
Taking a 4×4 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)

Wednesday – Rest, cultural, transfer day

Today we head to the Valle de Tena. On the way, we’ll visit the 10th-century church of San Juan de la Busa – a perfect example of Romanesque/Mozarabique architecture and part of the famous churches of the Serrablo. We’ll explain about the history of Aragon and why the Serrablo area has so many fantastic examples of these type of churches.

A tapas lunch (not included) will be taken in the pretty village of Biescas with time to look around the village (which is the home of the Hike Pyrenees office). As we head north into the Valle de Tena, we’ll stop at Santa Elena. Here we find a 5000-year-old neolithic stone dolmen and defensive fortifications from several different centuries including the Franco built ‘linea P’ or Pyrenees line that was built to defend against invasion from the Allies after the Second World War. Finally, we’ll visit the fascinating church and tell of the legend of Santa Elena and visit the cave through the secret door in the altar.

Our base for the second half of the week is Hotel Almud in the gorgeous village of Sallent de Gallego, whose stone houses are nestled under the high peaks. Evening meals are taken at different restaurants in the village while in Sallent – there is a great selection of restaurants there.

Thursday – France

Today we head to the French side of the range to hike in the Lacs Ayous region in the French Pyrenees National Park.

Low level: Refuge d’Ayous
Starting in lovely beech woods following the famous GR10 trans-Pyrenean path. The route gradually climbs until we leave the woods, entering the alpine meadows above. Here we find the Lacs Ayous – a lovely set of lakes with fantastic views towards the famous peak of Pic du Midi d’Ossau.
Distance: 11km (5 miles), ascent: +/- 550 m (1400 feet). Highest altitude 1845 m (6050 feet)

High Level: Pic d’Ayous (2288 metres)
The longer route also starts in the woods and follows the GR10 up to the Lacs Ayous. From the lakes, we keep heading up, passing the refuge of Ayous and continuing up to the peak of Ayous above. From here we get fantastic views down on the the lakes of Ayous, across to Pic du Midi d’Ossau and dozens of other peaks
Distance: 14 km (8.7 miles), ascent: +/- 900 m (2000 – 2800 feet). Highest altitude 2288 m (7500 feet)

Friday – Tena Valley

Low level: Ibon de Piedrafita
Starting at the high village of Piedrafita, we get superb views right from the start. We climb through woodland, alongside mountain streams, until we come out into alpine meadows filled with flowers. The kilometre-high cliffs of the Sierra de Partacua tower above us. Here we find the little lake of Ibon de Piedrafita, nestled under the cliffs. Fantastic spot for raptors with Griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures, short-toed eagles, and kestrels regularly sighted. We hike through the meadows, and under the cliffs before descending through the woods, completing a lovely circuit and first days hike.
Distance: 10km (6 miles), 330 metres ascent (1000 feet).

High level: Ibones de Arriel
A walk on the GR11 alongside the Rio Aguas Limpias – the river of clean water – to the Ibones de Arriel. Today we’ll discover the captivating Ibones de Arriel on this scenic hike from La Sarra, where you’ll encounter a series of stunning glacial lakes framed by dramatic peaks. The trail offers a rewarding challenge with breathtaking views of turquoise waters and alpine landscapes.
Distance: 19 km (12 miles), 900 metres ascent (3000 feet)

Saturday – morning in Sallent de Gállego, transfer to Zaragoza

Either take the morning transfer to Zaragoza train station or a free morning in the village before leaving at lunchtime for the Zaragoza to London Stansted flight.

If you have any questions about our walking holidays please give us a call on +44 (0)208 123 5049 or drop us an email.

Highlights of the Pyrenees

2025 Dates

Saturday 24 – 31 May
Saturday 28 June – 5 July

Price

1699 € per person (based on two sharing a double or twin room).
199 € single supplement

Included

7 nights accommodation at 4×4* Hotel Silken Ordesa & 3x Hotel Almud
Breakfast buffet each morning
Picnic lunches each walking day
3 course evening meals each night apart from the rest day
Meals taken at local restaurants in Sallent de Gállego – all only a short walk from the hotel
Transfers to and from either Zaragoza airport or train station.
Transport to the walks each day.

Not included

Flights, insurance, drinks with evening meal and lunch 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.

Hotel Almud

Hotel Almud is a wonderful stone building set in the winding streets of Sallent de Gállego. María José is your host in this friendly family-run hotel with just 11 rooms.

The hotel is fantastically decorated throughout with the bedrooms beautifully converted all with en-suite bathrooms. The bedrooms have mountain views.

There is a living room and reading area with sofas and a stone fireplace where you can have a coffee and relax.

Buffet breakfasts are served at the hotel. Evening meals are taken at village restaurants.

Nestled in the high mountains the village of Sallent de Gállego has a wonderful setting with great views round every corner. The heart of the village is medieval with winding streets lined with stone buildings and a 12th century romanesque church. It’s a tranquil village but big enough to have everything you’ll need with a few shops, a panaderia, restaurants and several cafe’s with terrazas.

Sallent de Gállego makes a great base for walkers – several walks leave straight from the hotel. With the village being high in the valley you are very close to all of the tallest peaks and Hotel Almud is ideal if you’re looking to do some of the longer routes during your holiday.

Hotel Ordesa

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. Please note wine is not included in the price.

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 15 minute walk from the village of Torla which has banks, shops and all the amenities you’ll need.

Hotel Almud - Sallent de Gallego

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