The heart of Pyrenees Aragonese hides a paradise that captivates thousands of travelers every year. According to artificial intelligence, the best tourist destination of Aragon It is not a city, nor a town, but a natural environment that seems taken from another world. A place where glaciers, brave rivers and imposing mountains merge into an unrepeatable show.
He Ordesa and Monte Lost National Park Not only does it stand out for its overwhelming beauty, but also for its enormous geological, biological and cultural wealth. Declared World Heritage by UNESCO, this park offers a complete sensory experience: magical paths, villages with soul, wild fauna, adventure sports and an environment that regenerates body and mind.
Ordesa and Monte Lost National Park, the best destination in Aragon for AI
What to see in Ordesa and Monte Lost
Adventure tourism
PEOPLES OF THE AREA
How to get to the Ordesa and Monte Lost National Park
Ordesa and Monte Lost National Park, the best destination in Aragon for AI
Located in the Oscense Pyrenees, the Ordesa and Monte Lost National Park is a natural jewel that attracts more than 650,000 visitors every year. With an extension of 89,000 hectares distributed in four main areas – the Ordesa Valley, the Añisclo Canyon, the Escuaín throats and the Pineta Valley -, this protected space remains open all year, with free admission.
Its landscape wealth is as impressive as its biodiversity. Among its mountains are the mythical three sorores: Marboré (3,251 m), Añisclo (3,257 m) and Monte Lost (3,348 m), vertex of the central massif that vertebra the park. Between valleys, glaciers, forests and waterfalls, species such as the numerous partridge, the Pyrenean frog or the majestic cheese.
In addition, Ordesa would not be the same without their peoples. Locations such as Torla, Broto, Bielsa or Aínsa complement the experience with their Pyrenean charm, its traditions, its gastronomic offer and its tourist services. A perfect balance between wild nature and human hospitality.
What to see in Ordesa and Monte Lost
The Ordesa and Monte Lost National Park is not only contemplated: it is traveled, felt and lived. Hiking routes are the best way to immerse themselves in its essence, either through simple walks or demanding excursions.
Five routes with spectacular views
Horse hunter path
One of the most spectacular routes in the park. Part from the Ordesa meadow and begins with a strong climb in Zigzag to the Mirador de Calcilaruego, with a view to the Cotatuero circus and its waterfall. From there, a gentle descent through Pelay’s girdle leads to the Soaso circus and the imposing cascade of the horsetail. The return is carried out by the bottom of the valley following the Arazas river, passing through the stands of Soaso, a refreshing beech and several waterfalls such as those of the Strait, the Cave and the Arripas. Demanding but unforgettable route.
The route on the horse tail route includes several waterfalls.
Waterfall route
Ideal for families with children. It also begins in the Ordesa meadow and travels about 7 kilometers (round trip) by forest track parallel to the Arazas River. Along the way three impressive waterfalls are contemplated: Arripas, the cave and the Strait. The route can be done in less than two hours, but invites you to stop enjoying the landscape.
Moars of the Molar
From Torla, this route amounts to the PR-HU 129 path to the hermitage of Santa Ana and the Sierra de las Cutas, which closes the Valley in the south. Its viewpoints offer shocking panoramic views of the mondarrueruest, Carriata or the Cotatuero circus. Although it is hard (1,100 m of slope and 14 km), the visual reward is insurmountable.
Ibón de Bernatuara
Demanding route from the refuge of San Nicolás de Bujaruelo, saving an uneven 1,000 m in 6 km. After crossing the Romanesque bridge and following the GR-18, a bifurcation leads to the Ibón, located at 2,330 meters. Its crystalline and greenish waters overly compensate for the effort. Ideal to do in spring or summer.
Roland gap
Cross -border excursion from San Nicolás de Bujaruelo to the refuge of Saradets and the Roland gap, on the border with France. It requires good physical form (1,400 m of unevenness), but gives imposing views of the Gavarnie waterfall and the possibility of ascending to the Taillón, one of the most accessible three thousands of the Pyrenees.
Adventure tourism
If you are looking for strong emotions, the park and its surroundings will not disappoint you.
Tirolina: Ordesa Pyrinean is the fastest in the world and the longest in Europe. Includes 4×4 transfer, visualization zone and views of the ARA Valley. A unique experience to literally fly on Ordesa.
Barranquismo: The descent of the ravine of the furco from Torla is a complete experience with slides, rappels and jumps of up to 8 meters. In Biescas, another popular ravine awaits you with similar challenges. Ideal activities for summer.
Kayak: From Aínsa, you can access the Entremonic Strait, a section of the ARA River that reminds of Norwegian Fjords. The kayak walk allows to explore caves and take a bath in crystalline waters.
Escalada: The Ferrata de Sorrosal route is one of the most impressive in the Ordesa environment, combining scaling with security and spectacular views.
PEOPLES OF THE AREA
Torla
Torla is the natural door of access to the Ordesa Valley and one of the most picturesque villages of the Aragonese Pyrenees. Although it was practically rebuilt after the Civil War, its urban center retains the typical architecture of the area: stone houses, slab roofs and chimneys with frightening. Its buildings include the Church Tower-Champanary, Casa Oliván and Casa Viú, two examples of Pyrenean stately housing.
In addition to its patrimonial attraction, Torla has a varied offer of rural accommodations, restaurants and tourist services, which converts it on a perfect basis for organizing routes through the National Park. At the entrance of the town is the Visitor Center of Ordesa and Monte Lost, next to the Great Parking from which in high season buses to the Ordesa meadow.
Broto
Located a few kilometers from Torla, Broto is a quiet municipality surrounded by lush nature. Its urban center surprises with the presence of the House of the Valley, a fortified building of the 16th century with a tower that was used as a prison for centuries. Its walls, blackened by the time, retain engravings made by the prisoners themselves to combat boredom.
Another outstanding place is the church of San Pedro Apostle, also of the 16th century, which presents a peculiar denoted defensive tower and a richly sculpted cover. Broto is a good starting point for outdoor activities, hiking routes or simply to enjoy the tranquility of a unique natural environment.
Bielsa
Bielsa is synonymous with tradition and character. This Sobrarbe people are famous internationally for its ancestral carnival, a unique celebration with characters such as trangas, onso, tamers or madamas, which transform the town into an outdoor theater of myths and pyreneic legends.
In the Plaza Mayor, the Renaissance City Council of the 16th century rises, which houses the town’s ethnological museum. Inside you can follow a tour of the history and culture of the area, including an emotional room dedicated to the Bielsa Stock Exchange, one of the toughest episodes of the civil war, when hundreds of neighbors crossed the border towards France in search of refuge. In addition, Bielsa is the main access to the Pineta Valley, one of the most beautiful in the park.
Tella
The municipality of Tella-Sin extends on both sides of the Cinca River, encompassing cores such as Badaín, La Fortunada, Sin, Salinas de Sin and Tella herself. The latter is surrounded by magic, history and mystery, becoming a perfect destination for families and rural lovers.
In its surroundings you can carry out the well -known route of the Romanesque hermitages, of low difficulty and high landscape value, in addition to visiting the unique house of the witches and the medicinal herbs. To deepen nature, the Casa del Molino Visitor Center offers information about the park. Another of its claims is the cave bear cave, visited by previous reserve, ideal to know the prehistoric fauna with children. The environment also hides jewels such as Tella’s dolmen, one of the most relevant megalithic monuments of Alto Aragón.
Aínsa
Located at the confluence of the ARA and Cinca rivers, and under the imposing Montañesa, Aínsa is one of the best preserved medieval villas of Spain. Its old town, declared historical-artistic complex, retains an urban layout that seems to be arrested in time: cobbled streets, stone houses, passageways, and an imposing porticada main square, epicenter of local life.
There, every two years, the popular Morisma, a medieval recreation of the Christian triumph of King Garcia Ximénez against the Saracenos, with divine intervention in the form of a luminous cross. A few meters raises the Romanesque church of Santa María, jewel of the Romanesque of Alto Aragón, with a cloister that combines gothic elements.
At the top of the town, Aínsa Castle completes the walk. Its ruins host the International Festival of Music Castillo de Aínsa every summer, and in its tower of the tribute the ecomuseum of the Pyrenean fauna is located, with exhibitions on the biodiversity of the environment. Aínsa is also a key point to explore other areas of the park and to enjoy local gastronomy.
How to get to the Ordesa and Monte Lost National Park
From Zaragoza
You have to take the A-23 towards Huesca, then continue on the N-330 to Sabiñánigo, where it is linked to the N-260 direction Broto and Torla. The journey lasts about two hours.
From Huesca
The N-330 is taken to Sabiñánigo and then the N-260 to Broto and Torla. The trip lasts about an hour.
From Teruel
The most direct option is for the A-23 to Saragossa and from there follow the previous itinerary to Ordesa. The estimated travel time is about three hours and twenty minutes.
