Excursion to Cola de Caballo in Ordesa
The Horsetail is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Pyrenees, and a spectacular scenery to discover, if you haven't already done so.
During autumn, the slopes of the Ordesa Valley become multicolouredThis is an ideal time to follow this itinerary. An easy excursion that can be carried out with childrenThere are countless attractions along the way, which you can enjoy with the little ones at home - waterfalls, forest, nature in its purest form.
It is, in essence, one of the most acclaimed tourist stops, located on the Ordesa National ParkIt has been considered a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) since 1918, and was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) in 1997.
This important park has a number of trails which are used by experts and beginners alike, both to access the high peaks of over 3,000 metres and for family walks. The excursion par excellence in Ordesa is the one we are describing here.. We will have several options to get to the Cola de Caballo.
By the Gradas de Soaso (Classic Ordesa Route)
The start of the route is in the Ordesa meadow. We will choose to go along the Soaso StandsWe can also reach the ponytail by the Senda de los Cazadores -a slightly more complicated route, which is an alternative way to avoid going back and forth along the same path-.
We take the classic Ordesa route, the one that runs along the bottom of the valley. At the end of the car park at the Prairie you take a wide path. The river is always on your right. Everything, absolutely everything, is spectacular in this landscape, which is why it is common to see people staying halfway along the path taking photographs. You will come across waterfalls, such as the waterfall of the Estrecho or that of Soaso. Further on, the peaks of the Pyrenees, such as Monte Perdido and El Cilindro, appear imposing. You will have crossed the Soaso steps and the path will become a concrete path between mountain meadows to reach the Horsetail waterfall.
Distance Ordesa meadow Cola Caballo 8,7 km (one way)
2h30 - 3h00 one way, 550m ascent.
Route information
Once the experience has been lived, the return remains, along the same path, enjoying the landscape for the second time. As we have mentioned, we can vary the return by the second option to reach the Cola de Caballo, which we describe below.
Along the Path of the Hunters and the Pelay Girdle
This is one of the routes par excellence. It is around 9 kilometres to the Cola de Caballo, which takes approximately 4 hours.
We start the tour at the Ordesa MeadowOn the left we come to a fork. On the left we come to the Classic Ordesa Route -described above-. We take the path on the right towards the Path of the Hunters.
The path zigzags through the thick forest. After about an hour and a half's walk, you will reach the Calcilarruego viewpointat the top of the path. We will have overcome more than 650m of height difference.
From the Calcilarruego viewpoint we will walk along the Pelay Girdle until Cirque de Soaso and the Cola de Caballo (Horse's Tail). It takes around two and a half hours from the viewpoint. The route allows you to see the flora, which is extremely beautiful, and, from the top, to observe the Arazas River and the immensity of the Ordesa Valley.
The route with children
The route to the Cola de Caballo and back may be too long to do with children - the whole route is recommended for ages 7 and upwards. It will have to be assessed. However, the route has countless attractions along the way that can be enjoyed with the little ones at home. The forest, the waterfalls that we will find -the Arripas and Estrecho waterfalls-.
Practical information
When to go
The best time to do this excursion is from spring to autumn. In autumn, Ordesa is a spectacle of colours.We recommend that you do the excursion at this time of year. The classic route has some wooden huts as shelters in case of sudden changes in the weather. Consider that you are in a high mountain areaThe weather can change suddenly. This also applies to the route at other times of the year, when the weather can change suddenly. we can find winter conditions where other types of equipment are required (racketswinter clothing, etc.). Another issue is the overcrowding you will find on this route. If you don't want to find many people, you should go out of season.
Access to the Park
The access to the excursion will be made from the Ordesa Meadow, via Torla-Ordesa. In the meadow there is a car park where you can leave your car (out of high season).
In summer, Easter week and some long weekends, access to the meadow is not allowed. During these periods there is a public transport service which departs from Torla and has a price tag of 4.5 euros return.
Where to sleep and where to eat
The village that we will have as a reference to visit this area of the Park is Torla-Ordesa (see accommodation in Torla) . A charming village where you will find accommodation and all kinds of services. You can spend the night in the Hotel Villa de Torla (book here) or in the Hotel Villa Russel. If you want to enjoy the gastronomy, don't miss the grilled meats at the La Cocinilla o El Duende.
A little further on from the Cola de Caballo, after passing the Gradas de Soaso, is the Góriz refuge (an alternative for extending the excursion and spending the night at the foot of Monte Perdido).
There are also campsites in the area, such as the Camping Valle de Bujarueloamong others.
Books and maps
We found interesting books such as Family excursions in the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park of the SUA Publishing House (see on Amazon) or, for the more intrepid, Ordesa and Monte Perdido. Tour of the Park in 6 stages by Editorial Desnivel (see book). If you are looking for a map, Editorial Alpina has published a guide with two maps on Ordesa y Monte perdido (or buy Alpina map guide on Amazon).
