Located in the central Pyrenees of Huesca in the Sobrarbe region and declared National Heritage by UNESCO, the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park is the set of four valleys: Ordesa, Añisclo, Escuaín and Pineta. The National Park is also doubly protected, since it is included in the UNESCO World Geopark of Sobrarbe-Pyrenees.
Ordesa Valley
The Ordesa Valley is one of the four valleys of the National Park of Ordesa and Monte Perdido, being the most emblematic and visited annually.
There are many activities you can do in this environment. A classic excursion suitable for all ages is the one that leads to the Cola de Caballo. At an altitude of 1800 meters, do not miss the 54-meter waterfall, one of the highest in Europe. During the course of the journey through lush green forests, you will enjoy other natural sites that will leave you speechless. These are the steps of Soaso, a succession of several waterfalls at different heights.
Another special corner that you will contemplate is the Arripas waterfall, and 500 meters further on, you will also find the cave waterfall and the Estrecho waterfall.
If adventure sports are your thing, get ready for a unique experience doing descents and rafting through the most beautiful places of the Aragonese Pyrenees. If you want more information about the wide range of activities on offer in this place, find out more at the Torla Visitor Center and at the Ordesa Meadow Information Point.
Añisclo Canyon
It is accessed from the town of Escalona taking the detour to the Añisclo Canyon. If you continue along this road, you will arrive at the San Úrbez parking lot. From here you can set off on various hiking excursions.
It starts with a circular itinerary of 45 minutes that will lead you to different viewpoints such as the Bellós river bridge, until you reach the Aso river. Another circular route a little longer but worthwhile is that of the uninhabited village of Sercué, emptied after a massive rural exodus. If you want to reach the spectacular Fuenblanca waterfall as the end point of the journey, you will need to embark on a demanding 4-hour hike. You can take a break and stop to contemplate the views at the Ripareta, a pleasant plane next to the river surrounded by beech and grasslands.
Pineta Valley and Cirque
The Pineta Valley together with the Ordesa Valley concentrate 70% of the total visits to the National Park. One of the distinctive features of this natural site is the source of the Cinca River, as well as the lushness that characterizes its forests.
The head of the valley is constituted by the Pineta cirque, a place where you will find several three-thousanders. There you will find the symbolic Monte Perdido (3,355m), and others such as Marboré or Tuca Roya.
There is a wide range of excursions to do in this environment for groups of experienced mountaineers as well as for families. From Go Aragón, we propose two classic itineraries to appreciate the landscape. Los llanos de la Larri is a simple circular route without a great slope, which runs along a pleasant walk until you reach the green meadows of the interior of the valley. The Pineta balcony becomes more difficult. A 5-hour ascent will be worth it if you want to take a spectacular panoramic view of the valley. And if you walk 30 minutes more, you will reach Marboré Lake, a beautiful place to contemplate the glacier.
Escuaín Gorges
The Escuaín Gorges are the smallest and least crowded of the four sectors that make up the National Park. For this reason, you will be exponentially surprised by the number of hidden places inside. The Escuaín gorge is a natural narrowing sculpted by the Yaga River as it passes through, an authentic karst phenomenon.
Its access is possible from the towns of Tella, Revilla and Escuaín. Although before starting on any route, we recommend that you visit Tella and its visitor center. There you can also learn about the route of the hermitages and a peculiar dolmen. And if you are passionate about the enigmatic, do not forget to visit the Casa de la Bruja (Witch’s House). Legend has it that the village of Tella was a favorite for witches to celebrate their covens and spells. This place can be a good start to enter the magical world of the Pyrenees and the ethnobotany of Alto Aragon.
Stay in Torla, Broto and Bielsa
All adventures must start from a point of origin where to plan and rest. Torla is a very good option for this. Stroll through its narrow cobblestone streets, typical architecture of Alto Aragon while you visit the National Park of Ordesa and Monte Perdido.
The Ara River divides the town of Broto into two flanks connected by a Gothic bridge destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. In Broto is the fascinating waterfall of Sorrosal, from where you have the option of ascending a via ferrata. The atmosphere and the bucolic environment that emanates from this town will make your stay there unforgettable.
The international fame that accompanies Bielsa is due to its carnivals, the most famous in Aragon and one of the oldest in Spain. Trangas, onsos, tamers and madams are some of the protagonists of this festival. If you stay in this Pyrenean village, do not forget to visit its history museum and the Bielsa Exchange, a section that tells the story of the mass flight to France in an episode of the Civil War.
See other geoparks in Aragon
