The Ordesa Valley is one of the most impressive landscapes in the province of Huesca, located in the Sobrarbe region of Aragon, which offers both natural and cultural tourism opportunities.
Known as the Ordesa Valley and Monte Perdido National Park since 1918, it is declared as World Heritage Site and is one of the earliest protected sites on the entire continent. Here you can experience nature of unfathomable beauty in its more than 2,000 hectares of surface area.
The Añisclo Canyon and the Escuían Gorge are two outstanding features on the Ordesa Valley map that you can visit all year. We advise you to check the weather in the Ordesa Valley, which often changes because of rainfall, temperature due to its profile and the contrast between the highest peaks and the valleys.
If you want to spend a few days in the area to understand the topography, we recommend looking for lodging in the Ordesa Valley. You will find a wide selection of options due to the vast number of tourists who visit this area. It won't be tough to find a rural house or flat, and it is also very common to find campsites or charming hotels.
But first, you must figure out how to get to the Ordesa Valley. This region can be reached via car, but you cannot enter the valley with it because it is a protected area. Nonetheless, you can leave your car in the parking lot at the entrance. Travelling by bus is also an option.
The trails in the Ordesa Valley, which allow you to penetrate deep into the jungle and climb to the highest elevations, are the most popular activities because you are in an exceptional natural setting. The Cola de Caballo, one of the most popular places, starts in the Ordesa meadow and has multiple routes that you can choose from depending on your desired difficulty level.
The second most well-known route is from Torla to the Ordesa Meadow. This route follows an old path that earlier connected the two sites and is comparatively easier to execute than Cola de Caballo and takes around three hours to complete.
Given the landscape, the answer to the question of what to see in the Ordesa Valley is simple: nature in all its glory. Nature is all around us, and you can take complete advantage of this natural beauty. In addition to the paths we mentioned, other must-visit places are the Revilla Viewpoint, the Pineta Valley and its glaciers, and the Añisclo Canyon, where the Bellós River stands out.
Last but not least, a tour of the Ordesa Valley's towns will teach you about the region's history, culture, and architecture. Torla, known as the valley's gateway and where you can appreciate the medieval essence and legacy, such as the church of San Salvador, is one of the most important. Aínsa, another picturesque village with a medieval feel, is worth a visit for the church, castle, and Torre del Homenaje.
There are also other settlements in the Ordesa Valley, such as Broto, Fanlo, and Sarvisé. Here, you can sample Pyrenean gastronomy, including pork, honey, and pacharán, for the authentic experience!
