Stage 17v (GR11.9): Góriz - Pineta (via Faja de las Olas)
Alternative - Main Route: Góriz-Pineta (via Fuenblanca)

Distance/elevation: 11.7kms / (+548m),(-1,470m).
Time: 6h00min (walking time without stops).
Difficulty: the route via Faja de las Olas (GR11.9) is spectacular and makes savings both in time and elevation. This variant is, however, only to be recommended in favourable weather conditions without ice or snow and, of course, by mountaineers who do not suffer too easily from a fear of heights. The main difficulties are centred on three points. A horizontal traverse along a very narrow path on a steep incline - dangerous in icy or snowy conditions -, a section of corridor with a small ledge at the end that has to be climbed (equipped with a chain) and a steep plate that you need to get down (equipped with a cable). As a test, if in the previous stage you have climbed the Clavijas de Soaso, the Faja de las Olas, although different, should not be a problem.Away from the Faja, the final decent from Añisclo pass to Pineta is probably the toughest of the whole GR11 trail.
Water: You will pass several streams throughout the stage.
Suggestions: The main GR11 route is the toughest but also the safest and is also a spectacular walk.

Route/Itinerary:

(0h00min; 0.0kms) Refugio de Góriz (2,200m). A number of trails head out in all directions from this point. The GR11 heads in an easterly direction, leaving the weather station on the right, and continues up the hillside to Arrablo or Góriz pass, between Punta Custodia (2,519m) and Morrón de Arrablo (2,792m).

(0h45min; 2.0kms) Collado de Arrablo (2,343m). There are two alternative routes at this point: either via Faja de las Olas (GR11.9) or via Fuen Blanca. On this occasion you are opting for Faja de las Olas. Walk up the left-hand path (NE) below Morrón de Arrablo up to Faja de las Olas, a terrace in the middle of the wall that allows you to skirt round the Punta de las Olas. You cross several streams before reaching this point. The Faja is the place where things start to get difficult, and begins at the point where you reach the outcrop coming down from Punta de las Olas, which is also where you can make out Añisclo pass for the first time. The path progresses along a sheer incline that, although it presents few difficulties, can become dangerous if conditions are not favourable.

(2h15min; 5.6kms) First section of chains (2,687m). The terrace is briefly interrupted, as the GR11 climbs to the left via a corridor as far as a small ledge. When the channel is covered with snow you climb further up to the left using the chain. You make it over the ledge (3m), the key passage across the Faja, with the assistance of the chain. You continue towards the next equipped area, a steep plate that you pass with the help of a towline. This is possibly the most exposed passage.

(2h25min; 5.7kms) End of difficulties (2,687m). You constantly pass streams to the end of the Faja. You will be well-advised to fill up with water here, as you will not get another chance to do so until half-way down the descent to Pineta (1h30). The path, no longer difficult, takes you down to the Maquis pass (2,456m), skirts round Punta del Valle (2,501m) and heads on to the...

(3h10min; 7.6kms) Collado de Añisclo (2,453m). Ahead of you awaits what is probably the toughest descent of the whole GR11 (1,200 metres in 2.5 kilometres). In 25 minutes you pass a stream and 25 minutes later you come to a...

(4h00min; 8.7kms) drinking fountain (2,000m). After five minutes you pass a fork to the left that leads to Pineta cirque via Faja de la Tormosa. You head into the woods. The path veers right in a southeasterly direction. You pass a stream. The trickiest part of the descent is ahead of you, as you will need to clamber over a series of ledges. You pass a couple more streams before reaching Las Inglatas, where there is a crossing which takes you to the auberge in Pineta, either via Pradera de Pineta (1h10min), or in a much shorter time, by crossing the river without a bridge (10 minutes). River permitting, you should go for the shorter option to get to the...

(6h00min; 11.7kms) Refugio de Pineta (1,240m).

Where to sleep:

At the beginning of the stage, you have the Refugio de Góriz (). In high season and most weekends of the year it tends to be fully booked, so we recommend you book well in advance (exclusively online). Book by phone only last minute reservations. There is the option of camping around the refuge between sunset and sunrise. From 2022, the capacity is limited to 50 people per day See conditions

At the end of the stage you have the Refugio de Pineta ().

In Bielsa (12kms from Pineta) there is a wide choice of accommodation. We recommend Casa Raspa (+34 974 501 006 / +34 619 717 993; reservas@hotelmonteperdido.com; See map). Affordable and offers discounts to GR11 walkers. They pick you up and bring you back the next day.

Where to eat:

In Bielsa, We recommend Restaurante Hotel Monte Perdido (+34 974 501 006 / +34 619 717 993; reservas@hotelmonteperdido.com; See map).

Other services:

In Bielsa you will find a supermarket, pharmacy, butcher’s, cobbler’s, health centre or ATM. There are also a number of eateries.

Transport:

Góriz mountain refuge is only accessible on foot. The most common starting point is Pradera de Ordesa (private vehicles are not allowed access in summer. A bus service runs from Torla all day long).

Pineta mountain refuge is accessible by road from Bielsa (12kms). The road continues another 2kms until it reaches the chapel of Nª Sª de Pineta and the Parador Nacional. There are no bus services to this point, so the best option is to take a taxi.

Taxis: in Bielsa, Taxis 4x4 Bielsa ().

Buses: there is a bus service that operates from Bielsa to Ainsa (in July and August, one per day in the morning, returning in the afternoon/evening; the rest of the year M/W/F).