The Ordesa National Park is home to a vast array of wonderful flora and fauna, some of which are very rare globally. Be sure to keep an eye out for animals, such as the Pyrenean Chamois (the crazy mountain goat, to be found on the edge of a cliff!), the Red Deer (the most likely animal to spot throughout the mountains) and the Brown Bear (don’t freak out!). The Brown Bear is quite rare in the Pyrenees (only around 40 in recent counts), with their numbers nearing 0 at the start of the century in this area. Although the Brown Bear is known to eat animals occasionally, for the most part, they feed on grass, fruit, insects and roots and they are known to keep a distance from the hiking trails and humans in general.
For more information on Pyrenees animal’s visit here.
Hike Ordesa Valley.
If you want a guided tour, there are a number of companies that offer bus tours through the region. So, you can rest in the knowledge that you will see the best on offer in the area with a local guide.
The parking for the Ordesa Valley hike is well signposted and easy to find, (search ‘Parking Ordesa’ into Google Maps). There are lots of parking spots for cars and campervans. There are toilets as well.
There are several hiking routes that you can take, varying in difficulty, to experience the breathtaking scenery of the Ordesa Valley. Although the whole hike is stunningly scenic, the main point of attraction is Cola de Caballo. This is an 8.7km walk, estimated to take 2 hours and 40 minutes to complete.
What awaits is a 30m high waterfall with a backdrop of incredible mountains and cliffs on every side and an open green pasture with a crystal-clear stream running through, which is a view that photos simply cannot do justice to. This hike really is a must do if you are physically able.
For more information visit the tourist information center in Torla-Ordesa or visit here.
Download Will's article in PDF format here.
