When I took my first Mediterranean cruise, I expected to make some mistakes. But I didn't think I'd kick off my voyage with the biggest one.
21.07.2023 - 08:05 / roughguides.com
The Aragonese Pyrenees offers spectacular hiking, with dramatic landscapes characterized by plunging canyons, steep wooded hillsides and glassy rivers. This summer, Rough Guides writer and photographer Marta Bescos spent a weeklong trip traversing the Ordesa Valley. Here, she chronicles her route, with all the details so you can follow in her footsteps. Being out and about in the great outdoors is the perfect way to escape city life post-lockdown, where social distancing couldn’t be easier.
My weeklong summer hiking trip in the Aragonese Pyrenees has been a feast for the mind and body. After weeks of lockdown spent in my flat in Madrid – without even a balcony – I was craving fresh air and being surrounded by nature. While Aragon is sadly experiencing another outbreak of the Covid-19, in the northern part of Huesca it was safe to travel. Luckily, our trip went ahead – we stuck closely to the strict hygiene measures, acting responsibly for others and the environment. Current measures in Spain mean you’ll find antibacterial gel in every restaurant and hotel and QR codes instead of printed menu, while everyone wears facemasks both indoors and outdoors.
My family and I decided on a trip hiking around the Ordesa Valley – one of the most beautiful corners of Northern Spain. This incredible spot in the Aragonese Pyrenees tempts hikers and outdoor lovers alike, with demanding treks that venture into the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, the second oldest in Spain. It has been inscribed variously as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, a Special Protection Area for Birds, a Site of Community Importance, and a Biosphere Reserve.
Monte Perdido © F.Pallars/Shutterstock
Which routes you take in the park will be dictated by your physical ability and hunger for summiting the highest peaks. The three main valleys of Ordesa are formed by the Ara, Arazas and Bellos rivers, which herald the most unique landscapes in the national park. Discovering caves and waterfalls or scrambling over rocks is every hiker’s paradise!
Before our hike we met at Broto – the perfect starting point, and our home for the week. Broto is a beautiful village known for its massive waterfall, Cascada de Sorrosal, that gushes down the canyon behind it. To the left of the waterfall, a via ferrata (climbing route) winds its way up. The noise of the water is the soundtrack to the 600m climb – marking a 200m difference in altitude. The centre of Broto is maze-like, with the striking Iglesia de San Pedro in the middle.
Tip: Remember to bring plenty of water with you, as well as mountain boots, adequate clothing, a sleeping bag, trekking poles, sunscreen, sunglasses and a windbreaker/raincoat.
We met at Hotel Sorrosal in Broto, and went by car all the way to
When I took my first Mediterranean cruise, I expected to make some mistakes. But I didn't think I'd kick off my voyage with the biggest one.
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