8-day Ordesa National Park Walking Holiday

Travel to the Pyrenees and arrive in the spectacularly set mountain village of Torla, a seemingly remote location which suprises with its welcoming feel. Relax after the journey as you settle in at your hotel, where services include a private swimming pool, restaurant, bar and lounge.

Challenge: Travel to Ordesa

Kick the week off with a short drive to the medieval bridge at Puente Bujaruelo, a perfect wide stone arch over turquoise currents, where your adventure in Ordesa begins. If you prefer to take it easy today, choose a relaxing stroll on a land rover track into Valle de Otal. For a true alpine day, hike up to the French border and snap a photo of magnificent views across the pristine waters of Ibón de Bernatuara.

Challenge: Ibon de Bernatuara: 9.5 km (6 mi) / 11 km (7 mi), 1000 m ascent and descent, 5 / 5.5 hrs

                      Torla: 11 km (7 mi), 250 m ascent, 500 m descent, 4 hrs

                      Valle de Otal: 13 km (8 mi), 300 m ascent and descent, 4 hrs

Here’s an absolute classic from the local walking repertoire: a 700-metre zig-zag ascent up to Mirador Calcilarruego, elevation 1950 m, followed by a stretch on the Senda de los Cazadores through breath-taking scenery. Thrill to unbelievable views up and down the Great Canyon of Ordesa against a distant silhouette of snow-capped summits. For those who have a fear of heights, it is better to walk there and back to the waterfall “Cola de Caballo” along the wide path parallel to the river. Option of extending the route with an ascent to Refugio de Goriz, a mountain hut situated at 2200 m.

Challenge: 18 km (11,8 mi), 7.5 hrs, 800 m ascent and descent

                      Easier walk Cola de Caballo: 18 km (11.2 mi), 6 hrs, 500 m ascent and descent

                      Extension Goriz: +6.5 km (4 mi), +2.5 hrs, +450 m ascent and descent

Head east from Torla, hiking up to huge sweeping vistas over Bujaruelo and Ordesa Valleys. If the weather’s not the best or you prefer to take it easy today, choose a shorter valley walk taking in three authentic villages seemingly lost in time: Fragen, Oto and Broto.

Challenge: Ermita San Antón: 14 km (9 mi), 6 hrs, 850 m ascent, 900 m descent

                      Fragen, Oto & Broto: 10 km (6 mi), 4 hrs, 230 m ascent and descent

Today you leave Torla behind and drive to the eastern part of the Monte Perdido, to the Parador de Bielsa. On your way you can make a side excursion to the village of Nerín, into Añisclo Gorge, a deep gash in the rock kept fresh and green by trickling streams year round. Start early as the drive along the winding mountain road N-260 will take time and the town of Ainsa is well worth a visit. The medieval town centre, perched on a cliff above the confluence of the rivers Ara and Cinca, was declared a Historic-Artisctic site in 1965.

Challenge: 16 km (9.9 mi), 750 m ascent and descent, 6 hrs

What’s on the hiking menu for today? A demanding but spectcular alpine ascent to the glacier lake Ibon de Marboré high up in the moon-like limestone landscape at the foot of the Monte Perdido or a gentle walk thorough the woulds Pineta Valley past the waterfall of Larri.  

Challenge: 14.3 km (8.9 mi), 1325 m ascent and descent, 7.5-8 hrs OR 9.6 km / 6 mi, 525 m ascent and descent; 4.5 hr

Toay your tour ends.

If you have time to spend or have booked extra nights at the parador, we recommend to drive to Espierba and do a loop walk with optional ascent of 700 m to the Mondoto peak (1835 m), valued mostly because of the 360º views it provides to both Ordesa and the high peaks on the border with France. 

Challenge: 7.7 km, 625 m acent and descent;  4 hrs + optional 6.5 km, 700 m ascent/descent, 4 hrs)