Route: The Ordesa Valley via Faja de Pelay
Area: Spanish Pyrenees
Date of walk: 21st June 2016
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 12.0 miles
Ascent: 2,700 feet
Weather: Sunny and very hot
The Ordesa Valley is situated in the National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The setting is spectacular with steep sided canyons on either side and with views of 10,000 feet peaks. A visit to the valley was at the top of our list
There are various walking possibilites, but we decided on the Faja de Pelay route, one of the classic walks of the Pyrenees. As we started out from the car park at Pradera we looked up to the towering limestone cliffs and tried in vain to pick out our route. From below it seemed that a safe route above the cliffs was out of the question
After an initial climb of around 2,000 feet, which was quite easy thanks to the innumerable hairpins, we reached the high level terraced path along the Faja de Pelay. There followed a 5 mile walk to the head of the valley with stupendous views in all directions, one of the best paths we’ve followed. Although we were walking above vertical cliffs at a height of around 6,000 feet there was little sense of exposure and there were no dangers
Eventually we reached the head of the valley, and started out on the lower level return route which was at first through open meadows and then through woodland
A series of spectacular waterfalls, several of which had viewpoints, accompanied us along the way. Eventually we arrived back at Pradera hot and tired but very happy after one of the best walks we’ve ever had
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We stopped the car in Torla, gateway to the Ordesa Valley, where we were heading for the start of today’s walk
After parking the car at Pradera we cross the bridge and try in vain to pick out the high level path which will take us along the far side of the valley
Don’t let this put you off - it isn’t
Looking across to the Faja Racon on the other side of the valley - a route which we’ll be taking in a few days’ time
There’s a long 2,000 ft climb through the woods, but the innumerable hairpin bends take the sting out of the tail
Increasingly dramatic scenery as we gain height…
Looking across the Ordesa Valley - we didn’t know it at the time, but later in the week we’d be following the Faja Racon above the tree line
Our path contours round the top of the cliff to the right
We arrive at a viewpoint looking towards the Circo de Cotatuero and its waterfall
Punta Tobacor on the far side of the canyon
Looking along the Ordesa Valley - our path continues just above the tree line
The Circo de Cotatuero again
Further along the Faja de Pelay
Looking back to some fellow walkers on the same path
One of the few flat places on the route
The path continues above the cliff but despite appearances there is little sense of exposure to the drop below
The head of the valley is still out of sight
Looking up to the cliffs above us
At last the valley head comes into view and above it the Three Sisters - Cilindro, Monte Perdido and Pico Añisclo, all of which are around 11,000 feet above sea level
Walking below the Sierra Custodia…
One Wife and Three Sisters
Looking back along the valley
The head of the valley comes into view - and the track along the valley floor that will be our return route
The Circo de Soaso and the Three Sisters - Cilindro (3325m), Monte Perdido (3355m) and Añisclo (3254m) - the largest limestone massif in Europe
Looking back along our path as we start to descend to the valley head
The Cola de Caballo waterfall comes into view
We arrive at the waterfall and from here start the walk back along the valley…
…as we do so we look up to the Sierra Custodia and the path we’d followed to get here
The Rio Arazas, which will be our companion as we begin the long walk back
We pass by a series of spectacular waterfalls…
Globeflower
Further along the valley path
We cross over the Rio Arazas and follow an alternative path on the far bank
View from the bridge
The final flat section through woodland
The Rio Arazas again, shortly before Pradera
Looking back up the valley in wonder and awe at the end of a classic walk
