Ordesa Valley & Cola de Caballo

• Distance~17 km return
• Time5–6 h
• Ascent~500 m
• AccessBus from Torla in season

The classic walk in Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park follows the Arazas river through beech and fir forest, below striped cliffs hundreds of metres high, to the Circo de Soaso and the Cola de Caballo ('horse's tail') waterfall.

The route

From the Pradera de Ordesa, the path passes the Arripas, La Cueva and Estrecho waterfalls before climbing to the stepped cascades of the Gradas de Soaso and the open meadows of the Circo de Soaso. It's about 17 km return, around 5 to 6 hours, with roughly 500 metres of ascent.

A higher return

Confident hikers can return along the Faja de Pelay, a balcony path high on the south wall, via the Senda de los Cazadores, a steep descent.

Tips

• In summer and at Easter, access is by shuttle bus from Torla; check times.
• Start early to beat the heat and the crowds.
• Stronger hikers can continue to the Góriz refuge, base for climbing Monte Perdido.

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