Spain Getaways: Ordesa National Park In The Pyrenees

Ordesa National Park Highlights

You may think we are in Switzerland just by looking at this photo but we are in Ordesa National Park in the Pyrenees, Spain. Located along the border of Spain and France, this was Spain’s first protected area in 1918 and was made a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1997.

The bareness of the higher areas contrasts with the green valleys and meadows where the water forms waterfalls and rushes through canyons. The Ordesa National Park has some of the best hiking trails in the Pyrenees. Its diverse terrain means there are trails for hikers of all levels.

Ordesa National Park Best Trails

The park is about 12 kilometers from the town of Huesca and can be reached either by car or public transport. One of the most attractive areas of the park is the Ordesa Valley, with the most popular hike along the valley to the Cola de Caballo waterfall. If you are more adventurous, you may want to climb up to the cliffs where there are three main routes: Faja Racon, Faja de Pelay and the most difficult Faja de las Flores.

The Añisclo Canyon is the deepest of the canyons formed over centuries by the erosion of the Bellos River. You can access it from the valley following the river in a breathtaking three hours long route or head for the peak from the village of Nerin, on the western side of the canyon. The park is open all year but the snow in the winter months could make it a less enjoyable experience, so the best season to visit would be spring/summer. Just take into account that it gets pretty busy specially in August if you are trying to avoid crowds.