Ordesa y Monte Perdido
The Pyrenees' answer to Yosemite: the Ordesa canyon runs beneath kilometre-high striped cliffs to the horseshoe wall of the Cirque de Soaso, on a broad path that grazing horses share amiably.
- Best forWalkers & hikers · Wildlife & nature · Photographers
- In March5°C · 13 rainy days
- Ideal stay3–4 nights
- Approx. flying time~11h 50m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyEUREuro
- LanguageSpanish
- Local time15:071h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType C / FBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+34
Why go
A single valley does most of the work: the canyon runs east from Torla between banded limestone walls close to a kilometre high, ending at the amphitheatre of the Cirque de Soaso and its horsetail waterfall. The path along the floor is broad and gentle, beech and pine most of the way, with griffon vultures overhead. Higher up the terrain turns serious, with Monte Perdido itself at 3,355 metres.
Torla is the obvious base, a stone village at the park gate where the shuttle bus replaces cars in the busy months. Two days covers the valley floor and a night at the Goriz refuge; a week opens the Anisclo and Escuain canyons and the crossing towards Gavarnie in France. Snow lingers into June on the high routes and returns in October, so timing matters more here than most Spanish mountains.
- Ideal stay
- 3–4 nights
- The vibe
- Vertical, green, properly wild
From our guides
First-time trekkers can sleep at the Refugio de Góriz and make a weekend of it, with the ascent of Monte Perdido waiting once your legs have earned it. In peak summer access is by shuttle bus from Torla — catch the first one and beat the canyon heat.
Featured in Ten national parks for your first proper trek
Things to do
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Cola de Caballo waterfall
The classic walk follows the valley floor for around eight kilometres to a horsetail fall at the head of the cirque, gaining height gently the whole way.
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Faja de las Flores
A narrow ledge path cut across the canyon's north wall, spectacular and exposed, reached by a steep ladder section. Not for anyone uneasy with heights.
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Refugio de Goriz
The park's high refuge sits at around 2,200 metres below Monte Perdido and is the launch point for the summit. Beds must be booked well in advance.
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Anisclo canyon
A narrower, wilder gorge on the park's southern side, reached by a single-track road and far quieter than the main valley in August.
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Torla village
Slate roofs, a stone church tower and the canyon walls rising directly behind. This is where the shuttle leaves and where walkers eat afterwards.
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Vultures on the rim
The cliffs hold large griffon colonies, and the bearded vulture, with its diamond tail, is regularly seen riding thermals along the canyon edge.
Getting there
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Fly to
Zaragoza (ZAZ)
Nearest airport to Ordesa y Monte Perdido, about 140km away as the crow flies.
-
Then
To Torla
Zaragoza (ZAZ) is the sensible gateway, about three hours by car north to Torla; Lourdes-Tarbes sits on the French side of the Pyrenees with no direct road through.
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On the ground
Getting around
In summer the canyon road is closed to cars and a shuttle bus runs from Torla to the Pradera de Ordesa trailhead; from there everything is on foot.
Public transport: A bus links Sabiñánigo with Torla and the park shuttle takes over from there, but connections are sparse outside the summer season.
Flights
Los Angeles Ordesa y Monte Perdido, Spain
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Roughly 11h 50m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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When to go
Daytime highs run from about 1°C in January to 21°C in August. Driest in February and July; wettest in June, with rain on about 14 days.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
March5° · rain 13 daysCold and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Village hotels, hostales and casas rurales, a campsite or two and mountain refuges. There is nothing resembling a resort, and rooms in Torla are small and simple.
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Best base overall
Torla
The stone village at the park gate where the summer shuttle bus starts, with hotels, gear shops and bakeries open early. It fills with walkers, so book and expect a rowdy breakfast room.
Find stays in Torla -
Best value
Broto and Sarvisé
Ten minutes down the valley, with cheaper hostales and apartments and a river beach. You drive to the shuttle car park, which is no hardship outside peak weekends.
Find stays in Broto and Sarvisé -
Quietest
Refugio de Góriz
The high refuge below Monte Perdido, dormitory bunks and a shared meal at altitude. It turns the canyon into a two-day trip, but you must reserve and carry everything up.
Find stays in Refugio de Góriz -
Best with children
Aínsa
A handsome walled hilltop town forty minutes out, with pools, restaurants and easy days out if legs give up. Further from the trailhead, better for a week that is not all walking.
Find stays in Aínsa
Worth knowing before you book: Torla sells out for August and the Góriz refuge takes bookings months ahead. In peak season private cars are barred from the canyon, so budget time for the shuttle queue.
Search everything else in Torla by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Driving
- From Easter to October and at weekends the road into the canyon closes to private cars. Park at Torla and take the shuttle bus in.
- Timing
- Start early. The canyon floor holds heat in summer and afternoon thunderstorms are common from July onwards.
- Book ahead
- The Goriz refuge is the only high accommodation in the park and is reserved months ahead for summer weekends.
- Water
- Streams along the valley run clean in most places, but carry at least two litres for the Soaso walk, which has little shade in its upper half.
- Weather
- Snow can block high routes until late June. Check conditions before attempting Monte Perdido, which is a mountaineering day rather than a hill walk.
Similar places
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Further afield
Côte des Basques
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San Sebastián
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PortAventura
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La Rioja
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Barcelona
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Girona
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Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Ordesa y Monte Perdido?
Daytime highs run from about 1°C in January to 21°C in August. Driest in February and July; wettest in June, with rain on about 14 days.
How long should I spend in Ordesa y Monte Perdido?
Our suggestion: 3–4 nights.
How do I get to Ordesa y Monte Perdido?
Zaragoza (ZAZ) is the sensible gateway, about three hours by car north to Torla; Lourdes-Tarbes sits on the French side of the Pyrenees with no direct road through.
Do I need a car in Ordesa y Monte Perdido?
Yes, a car makes a real difference here. A bus links Sabiñánigo with Torla and the park shuttle takes over from there, but connections are sparse outside the summer season.
What currency and language are used in Ordesa y Monte Perdido?
Currency: Euro (EUR). Language: Spanish. Plugs: type C and F.
Who is Ordesa y Monte Perdido best for?
Best for walkers & hikers, wildlife & nature and photographers. In a phrase: vertical, green, properly wild.