In May 2014, we spent three days in the National Park Ordesa y Monte Perdido, the Spanish part of this transnational WHS. Beside the Monte Perdido summit the inscribed area comprises four deep valleys that are accessible to hikers: Ordesa, Añisclo, Escuain, and Pineta. We went for two hiking tours in the Valle de Ordesa and one in the Canyon de Añisclo .

There are hardly any roads in the National Park, one of the few is the access road (HU-631) to the Añisclo valley from Escalona. The ride on this very narrow and winding road was exciting and offered wonderful views into the deep gorge. After 12 km we reached the parking lot at the Ermita de San Urbez. The Añisclo valley is a very narrow canyon between steep, almost vertical cliffs. The hiking trail runs continuously uphill along the Bellos river and through forest and lush vegetation. It is easy to walk, there are only a few steep sections. After about 3.5 hours we reached the Fonblanca waterfall and returned on the same route to the parking lot. We enjoyed very much our hike through this striking landscape, but the Valle de Ordesa was even more impressive.

The starting point for tours in the Valle de Ordesa is the picturesque village of Torla. From there it is only 5 kilometres to the parking lot Pradera de Ordesa (at 1350 metres altitude) where several hiking trails start. Ordesa is very popular with hikers and climbers, the parking lot is huge and in summer the access is restricted for private vehicles, you have to take the shuttle bus from Torla. However, when we arrived at 8 am, there were only a few other cars, probably because of the heavy rainfall the days before and the rather cold temperature of only 5 degrees in the morning. But after the morning mist has lifted, it was a beautiful warm day with clear blue sky.

As described by Clyde in his review below, there are hiking trails of different grades and at various altitudes. Our first hiking tour started with an exhausting steep climb up to an altitude of 2000 metre (650 metres vertical difference). Then we walked on the Faja de Pelay slightly downhill to the end of the valley, the Circo de Soaso. We enjoyed magnificent views of the rock formations on the opposite side of the valley and the snow-covered peak of the Monte Perdido. The Circo de Soaso is a picturesque spot: a green meadow with a babbling stream and a waterfall, surrounded by steep rock walls. And to make it perfectly picturesque, there were also grazing cattle. The trail back to the Pradera leads through deciduous woodland and past spectacular cascades (photo: Estrecho waterfall). There are signposts to several viewing points, all are worthwhile. The next day, we hiked along the rock wall on the north side of the Ordesa Valley (at a maximum altitude of 1800 metres): the Faja Racon, Circo de Cotatuero, and the Faja Canarellos.

I agree with Clyde, that the easy trail in the valley is the most scenic hike, and the trail is suitable also for less experienced hikers. We enjoyed the three days in this scenic mountain landscape. The deep canyons and steep rock formations of the Monte Perdido massif are outstanding and differ significantly from landscapes in the Alps. We stayed at the lovely Hotel Abetos in Torla, about 300 metres outside the village centre.