Itinerary

The week is built around two high-mountain journeys. We begin with two full days and a final morning crossing the Valle de Tena, following sections of the GR11 and staying at Refugio Respomuso and Refugio Bachimaña. After a free afternoon in Biescas, we head to Ordesa National Park for a three-day journey through the Ordesa and Añisclo canyons, including the ascent of Monte Perdido.

This is a point-to-point mountain journey, so the route is more fixed than on our hotel-based holidays. That’s part of what makes the week so special: each day links naturally into the next as we move between refuges and cross from one valley to another. We may occasionally adapt the route if the weather or mountain conditions require it, but the overall itinerary remains largely as described.

Day 1 – Arrival in Biescas

Arrive in Biescas following our transfer from Zaragoza. After checking into the hotel, we’ll meet with your guide for a welcome briefing and kit check, giving you the chance to go through the route, ask any questions and make sure everyone is ready for the first mountain stage the following morning.

After the briefing, you’ll enjoy a full evening meal at the hotel.

Day 2 – La Sarra to Refugio Respomuso

From Sallent de Gállego we set out along one of the classic sections of the GR11, the long-distance trail that crosses the Spanish Pyrenees. The path climbs steadily through the upper Valle de Tena towards Refugio Respomuso, spectacularly situated among peaks rising to around 3,000 metres.

Along the way there is the option of a detour to the beautiful Ibones de Arriel, a group of high mountain lakes surrounded by rugged peaks.

Distance: 14.5 km (9 miles) · Ascent: 900 m (2,950 ft)

Day 3 – Pico Tebarrai and Refugio Bachimaña

We set off early into the wild landscape of the Circo de Piedrafita, passing a succession of mountain lakes as we climb towards the Col de Tebarrai. At 2,782 metres, this is the highest pass on the entire GR11.

From the col there is the option of making the additional ascent to Pico Tebarrai at 2,916 metres. We then continue through the Cuello de Infierno — the “Neck of Hell” — before descending past the beautiful Ibones Azules to Refugio Bachimaña for our second night in the mountains.

Distance: 11.2 km (7 miles) · Ascent: 1,000 m (3,280 ft)

Day 4 – Descent to Baños de Panticosa and rest afternoon

After breakfast at the refuge, we make the relatively short descent from Bachimaña to Baños de Panticosa. The walk takes around a couple of hours and brings our first mountain journey to an end.

From here we transfer back to the 4-star Hotel Tierra de Biescas. The afternoon is free to relax, enjoy the hotel pool and sauna or wander into Biescas before we begin our three-day Ordesa journey the following morning.

Distance: 3.2 km (2 miles) · Descent: 550 m (1,805 ft)

Day 5 – Ordesa Valley and Refugio Góriz

The Faja de Pelay marks the beginning of our three-day journey through Ordesa National Park. After an initial steep climb, we join a remarkable high-level path running along a broad ledge in the cliffs above the Ordesa Valley.

The route gives superb views across the canyon and towards the high border peaks before continuing deeper into the mountains to Refugio Góriz, situated beneath Monte Perdido, where we stay for the next two nights.

Distance: 12.5 km (7.8 miles) · Ascent: 900 m (2,950 ft)

Day 6 – Monte Perdido

Today’s objective is the classic ascent of Monte Perdido (3,355 m), the third highest peak in the Pyrenees. From Góriz we climb steadily into increasingly rocky high mountain terrain towards the summit.

The upper part of the route is steep and demanding, but the rewards are enormous. From the summit there are extraordinary views across the Ordesa, Pineta and Añisclo canyons, the surrounding limestone massif and north towards France.

After enjoying the summit, we retrace our route to Refugio Góriz for a second night in the mountains.

Distance: 7.7 km (4.8 miles) · Ascent: 1,554 m (5,100 ft)

Day 7 – Añisclo Canyon

Our final mountain day takes us through the neighbouring Añisclo Canyon, another of the great limestone canyons of Ordesa National Park.

It is a wonderfully varied final stage, descending from the high mountain landscape around Góriz into greener terrain, with dramatic cliffs, forests and waterfalls along the way. At the end of the walk our transport will be waiting to take us back to the 4-star Hotel Tierra de Biescas, where the swimming pool, sauna and a comfortable bed will be very welcome after three days in the mountains.

Distance: 17 km (10.6 miles) · Ascent: 300 m (985 ft) · Descent: 1,000 m (3,280 ft)

Day 8 – Departure

Breakfast and some free time in Biescas before our transfer back to Zaragoza for onward travel.