Ordesa y Monte Perdido: Practical guide to enjoy the Park this autumn

The spectacular Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, located in the north of the province of Huesca, it was declared a World Heritage in 1997 and since 1977, a Biosphere Reserve. This is due not only to its enormous wealth of landscapesbut also to its varied ecosystem with high peaks, waterfalls and waterfalls of great beauty and small villages full of charm.. It is also notable for its wide variety of species, which gives it great richness, both in its fauna and flora. From the massif of Monte Perdido we will be able to dominate the entire orography, with its peaks the Three Sororesfrom where the different valleys that make up this beautiful landscape are organised, such as the one of Ordesa, Pineta, Añisclo y Escuaín. A trip along each of its routes and through each of its villages will be a real pleasure for any traveller.

Before visiting the Park you can find out more at books and guidesand consult maps details of the area. Alpina has published a guide with two maps on Ordesa y Monte perdido (Buy Alpina map guide on Amazon). On the other hand there are interesting books such as Family excursions in the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park of the SUA Publishing House (see on Amazon) o  Ordesa and Monte Perdido. Tour of the Park in 6 stages by Editorial Desnivel (see book).

📅 When to go

This beautiful park offers you the possibility of visiting it at any time of the year, although you should always bear in mind its high mountain climate. This makes it more extreme, although temperatures are somewhat tempered due to the influence of the relative proximity to the Mediterranean and the Cantabrian Sea. This phenomenon, typical of the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, means that winters are cold and with a high temperature. abundant snow precipitation, while summers offer relatively warm temperatures with sunny days.

The best times to visit the park are in late spring and early summer. early autumn. If you visit in summer, you should know that there are very sudden changes in temperature and thunderstorms are frequent in the afternoons. In early spring there is still snow and the trees are leafless, so there may be a risk of avalanches. Don't forget to be well equipped, with comfortable shoes, loose-fitting clothes and a mackintoshand try to start the route first thing in the morning.

⛙ How to get there

Entry to the park is completely free and open all year round. Depending on the area you want to visit, you can visit it from different points such as Torla up to the Ordesa Valley; in the area of Escuaín and Tella-Revilla to access the Escuaín Valley; from Escalona to reach the Añisclo Canyon; or from the village of Bielsa to reach the Pineta Valley.

The roads giving access to the park are the N-260 between the towns of Sabiñánigo y Torla and through the A-138 on Barbastro and France. From both you will be able to access all the points previously mentioned.

Public transport to the Ordesa Valley. In the summer months and at Easter you will not be able to access La Pradera with your vehicle. The bus service operates Torla-La Pradera de Ordesa. You can leave your car in Torla. Another alternative is to walk up to La Pradera on foot along the Camino de Turieto Bajo.

Road to the Añisclo Canyon. In high season the section between Puyarruego and the Nerín/Buerba crossroads (Vió valley) is regulated and is one-way and uphill. The return journey is from Buerba. 

📸 What to see and do in Ordesa

The beautiful Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park will offer you truly unique and unforgettable places. From its three summits of the Three SororesThe valley, with its spectacular peaks and stone walls furrowed by the water, passing through its beautiful and rugged valleys, such as the one of Ordesa, Pineta or EscuaínThe spectacular waterfalls and waterfalls, which look like something out of a postcard, are not to be forgotten.

• The the spectacular Ordesa ValleyThe route is a natural park, with impossible shapes and reliefs, the result of erosion on sedimentary rocks. You can walk through it, cross the Beech Forest and reach the imposing Horsetail WaterfallThe Cirque de Soaso. Feeling the abyss in the classic Flower Belt. 
• Cirques, gorges and ravines carved out of the sunlit Escuaín valley. 
• The Pineta CirqueThe valley is located at the end of the long valley of the same name, with spectacular waterfalls cascading down from the heights. 
• The Añisclo canyoncarved like an immense crevice over soft pastures. 
• The Rolando Gapsurrounded by high peaks, where the grandeur of the place is mixed with the legend. 
• The ascent of the mythical Monte Perdidowhich is carried out by mountaineers with the required technical preparation and equipment. 
• You must stroll through the beautiful cobbled streets of Ainsadiscover its squares and medieval monuments.
• If you like heights, in the town of Broto you will find the Sorrosal waterfallwhich has a ferrata well equipped and easily accessible. 

In addition, this Park offers you numerous hiking trails through magical corners. With the exception of the trails in the higher areas, they are well signposted. 

In the area many guides and companies offer guided excursions and ascentsYou can contact any of them if you are interested. There is a wide range of possibilities for active tourism in the area. rafting on the Ara river or guided ascents of the Monte Perdido.

You can find charming villages where you can disconnect, lush forests and canyons and ravines where you can practice all kinds of adventure sports. It is an area of enormous ecological, cultural and artistic value, where you can breathe fresh air and experience a fascinating adventure.

Routes in the Park

• Torla - Ordesa Meadow
• Ordesa Meadow - Góriz Refuge
• Ordesa meadow - Circo de Soaso - Faja de Pelay - Ordesa
• Meadow of Ordesa - Faja los Canarellos - Ordesa
• Refuge of Góriz - Collado de Arrablo - Añisclo Canyon - Bridge of San Úrbez
• Refuge of Góriz - Monte Perdido
• Pineta Valley - Monte Perdido
• Pineta Valley - Plains of La Larri

🛌 Where to sleep and where to eat

There is a wide range of accommodation and services available in the area surrounding the Park: hotels, rural houses, campsites and hostels.

As nerve centres in the area we can highlight the following Torla (see accommodation in Torla)You can lose yourself among its stone houses and enjoy the gastronomy of the area with grilled meats at La Cocinilla or eating some beef ribs at the El Duende. You can spend the night in the Hotel Villa de Torla (book here) or in the Hotel Villa Russel. 

Another important area is Bielsa (see accommodation in Bielsa)where you can access the Pineta Valley. In Bielsa you have the Hostal Matazueras (view to book) or the Hotel Bielsa. If you want to live a great experience, surrounded by wild nature, without forgetting comfort, in the heart of the Pineta cirque you will find the Bielsa Parador. 

You can't leave the area without visiting the cobblestone streets of Aínsa (see accommodation in Aínsa) and its medieval square. Enjoy some tapas in La Carrasca Tapas and rest in any of its hotels, in the very heart of this beautiful city. 

There is no shortage of other accommodation options in the area either, with several campsites in the area, as well as refuges frequented by hikers and mountaineers. The Bujaruelo refuge is located at the epicentre of this beautiful valley, as is the Camping Valle de Bujaruelo. At the foot of Monte Perdido we find the Góriz HutThe summit is a well known refuge for anyone who wants to climb the peak. 

>> Río Ara Guesthouse. It is a small family establishment located in Fiscal. Strategically located to visit the Ordesa National Park, quiet and charming where you will feel at home. Its glazed terrace has incredible views of the valley of the Ara River that you can enjoy during the varied breakfast buffet. Its restaurant offers homemade food with stews of regional products and vegetarian options and breakfast. Its rooms are very cosy and fully equipped so that families with children have everything they need.
It has all the facilities for bikers and cycle-travellers: rack and workshop, bike wash and closed garage with individual locks.

*All purchase prices included in this article are current as of 09/09/2020.