Check out from San Sebastián by mid-day.
Drive via Pamplona to Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido.
Hotel Palazzo Nerin. Check in after 12.30. Free parking.
Unica, s/n
22375 Nerín
+34 974 48 90 02
The valley floor
16 km, 450m ascent, 6-7 hours
Most day hikers take the path on the valley floor. A good easy to follow path winds through lovely beech and silver fir woods with cliffs flanking you on either side. You pass several fantastic waterfalls before the woods open up to meadows that are filled with flowers in early summer. The trail ends at the waterfall in the Circo de Soasa with Monte Perdido dominating the skyline above.
Faja de Pelay
22 km, 800m ascent, 8-9 hours
A spectacular path on the southern cliffs of the valley. Your day starts with a steep climb of an hour and a half up to a fantastic mirador with a birds-eye of the valley and the valley floor 600 metres below. With the hard work done enjoy one of the best stretches of path in the park as you contour around to the Circo de Soasa at the end of the valley, descending along the valley floor. Highly recommended with great views across to the Brecha de Roland and all of the 3000m peaks.
Faja Racon
11 km, 580m ascent, 5-6 hours
This path under the northern cliffs is overlooked by many visitors but it’s one of my favourites. You really get close to the cliffs walking directly underneath them and get an idea of the scale of the valley. There’s a lovely contrast between the bare rock of the cliffs on your left and the lush green woods sloping away to your right. There’s a good chance of spotting sarrios (chamois) on this route as well as lammergeier.
Faja de las Flores
16 km, 1150m ascent, 9-10 hours
A spectacular path a kilometre high on the northern cliffs needing a very good head for heights. A steep path ascends over a thousand metres passing two sets of ‘clavijas’ (iron pitons) on the way. At first there looks no place for a path but as you get closer the eroded band shows itself and you can see it winding it’s way along the cliff face. At only a metre or so wide with a 400 metre sheer drop to your right at all times this is not a route for the feint hearted. The traditional descent passes across a cliff face by using an extremely scary set of chains and pitons. Those that don’t fancy this can turn round and head back down the way they came. A superb hike.
Mon June 10th.
Tue June 11th.
Wed June 12th
Drive to Barcelona. (4 hours). Visit Montserrat? Stay in Barcelona (AinB Sagrada Familia Apartments).
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