Ordesa & Torla Guide: Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park

RegionAragón, Spain
Park founded1918
From Jaca~1 h
Stay2–3 nights

Founded in 1918, Ordesa y Monte Perdido is one of Spain's oldest national parks and the Spanish half of the Pyrénées–Mont Perdu World Heritage Site. Its limestone massif is crowned by Monte Perdido (3,355 m) and cut by four great valleys: Ordesa, Añisclo, Escuaín and Pineta.

Torla-Ordesa

The stone village of Torla-Ordesa is the main gateway, with hotels, restaurants and outdoor shops. In the busy seasons, private cars can't drive into the Ordesa valley; a shuttle bus runs from Torla to the Pradera de Ordesa trailhead.

The classic walks

The Cola de Caballo trail follows the valley floor past waterfalls to the 'horse's tail' falls below Monte Perdido.
The Faja de las Flores is a spectacular high ledge for confident, experienced hikers.
The Cañón de Añisclo is a narrower, wilder gorge reached from Escalona.
The Valle de Pineta above Bielsa ends in a dramatic cirque.

Nearby

The medieval village of Aínsa, with its arcaded main square, is about an hour away. The Tena valley and the ski resort of Formigal are to the west, and Jaca about 1 hour.

Park rules: access, bus times and parking change by season. Check the national park's latest information before you go, and start early in summer.