ORDESA AND MONTE PERDIDO NATIONAL PARK


The Park was established in 1918, the same year as the Covadonga National Park (now Picos de Europa National Park). It lies in the Aragonese Pyrenees in the Province of Huesca. In the beginning, it consisted of barely 2,000 ha, ie, only the Ordesa Valley which runs parallel to the Pyrenees, Today it has an area of 15,608 ha and includes the breathtaking Añisclo and Pineta Valleys as well as the Escuain Gorges.

Through the Ordesa Valley, after which the Park is named, flows the Arazas. Its waters are cold and wild, and there are many waterfalls along its course. The Aso flows through the impressive Añisclo Valley and ravine with its spectacular precipices. The main attraction of the Tella Valley consists of the magnificent Escuain Gorges with the River Yago. The Pirieta Valley, called the "Via Apia of El Monte Perdido" because of its beauty, channels the waters of the Cinca.

The forests of this National Park consist of four main species: scots pine, black pine, beech and spruce. They can be found mixed with yew, hazel and birch and abundant shrubs, such as box and juniper. In the high mountains grows the edelweiss also called the snow rower, which is a small, velvety flower with Iong, pointed leaves. It is whitish in colour and star-shaped, a surprise to all those who venture into the regions of the high summits.

As regards animals, chamois is the most numerous. The only specimens in the world of the Spanish ibex or wild goat, ssp. pyrenaica, was found along "La Faja de Pelayo", a rocky ledge in the Ordesa Valley (in 2000 was found died the last specimen). Wild boar and fox are quite abundant. Wild cat, western polecat, genet and pine marten feed on dormouse, squirrel and other small rodents.

The rivers constitute the habitat of the otter which mainly feeds on trout. Lammergeyer and golden eagle can be observed in the sky. Around the highest peaks lives the ptarmigan whose plumage turns white in winter.

How to reach the Park

From Huesca, the Ordesa Valley is reached by following the N-330 as far as Sabiñánigo (62 km), continuing from there to Biescas where the N-260 and A-135 leads to Torla, where a very big parking is located. At the entrance to the park of the Ordesa Valley, there is an Explanatory Centre for visitors.

The other three main valleys of the Park are reached by following the N-260 as far as Ainsa, the capital of Sobrarbe (which is officially protected as a historic and artistic site and has a splendid Plaza Mayor) after passing through Boltaña. 

In Ainsa a road skirts the Cinca and leads to the Bielsa Pass at the French border. From this road several secondary roads lead to Añisclo Valley, the Gorges of Escuaín and Pineta Valley (here lies the Monte Perdido Parador) respectively. Ainsa can also be reached over the A-138 from Barbastro.

Advice of interest to visitors

  • The Park has several entrances, the most convenient being at Torla, Bielsa and Ainsa.
  • Access to the park is free and visit can be guided or unguided. The park´s offices supply suggested routes.
  • Each of the four valleys belonging to the Park has very individual features. All of them deserve to be visited, each for its own particular characteristics.
  • Ordesa Valley has a visitors' centre, and there is a guided itinerary which provides the best opportunity for a complete visit.
  • There is a Parador at the head of the Pineta Valley.
  • The Park should be visited on foot when the snow has disappeared. In winter, it is dangerous to visit the mountains without a climbing party and mountaineering equipment. There is danger of snow avalanches in the spring.
  • There are several refuge huts inside the Park as well as camping facilities.
  • Equipment should include good mountaineering shoes, binoculars and a camera.

It is everybody's right to be in contact with and enjoy nature. But it is also everybody's obligation to conserve and protect it since nature is a heritage of mankind, of the present as well as of future generations.

For full details on the Spanish National Parks (services, towns, hotels, adventure, maps, etc.), please look under "Parques Nacionales" at the website:
http://www.parquesnaturales.com (spanish only)