ALTO ARAGON; THE SPANISH PYRENEES
Off the Beaten Track in the Spanish Pyrenees
 This trek is designed to appeal to the fit and more experienced walker who is looking for a holiday somewhere just that bit different. The Spanish side of the Pyrenees has a drier climate than the French side and is less visited. It offers a magnificent array of rugged mountains, deep gorges, beech and pine forests, cultivated terraces, ancient stone bridges, unspoilt towns and villages with many historic buildings. Linking these is a network of waymarked trails and paths.
Our one-week circular walking tour starts at Bielsa which lies just to the east of the Ordesa Canyon and Monte Perdido National Park. The first four days explore the southern margins of the national park, staying in very remote mountain villages and crossing the celebrated Garganta (Gorge) of Anisclo as well as several high passes and ridges. The route is dotted with signs of past habitation, dolmen, abandoned villages and ruined castles, that catch the eye. It is however the likes of Monte Perdido and the Tres Marias forming an impressive skyline that really define the character of the route. On the fifth day, you reach the beautiful, historic town of Ainsa (589m), site of a legendary victory of Christians over Moors in the year 1254. Its castle and church date largely from the 12th century. The old town is beautifully preserved and some may like to spend an extra night here.
From Ainsa you follow the Rio Cinca upstream and walk from Plan (1119m) over the Collada (Col) de la Cruz de Guardia (2113m) with fine views of the Perdido range and then descend to finish the tour back at
Bielsa.
Accommodation
7 nights/8 days
- This is a wild remote area and our hotels and catering facilities are not of the same standard you might expect in major tourist areas. The quality of the scenery and walking is spectacular and more than compensates for any deficiencies in infrastructure. The first and last nights of the tour are spent in the small mountain town of
Bielsa at a 3* hotel renowned for the quality of its service.
Very limited English is spoken at the hotel and is located close to the central square. On nights 2 & 3 in
Hospital de Tella we use a small family-run guesthouse with its own restaurant and a terrace on the bank of the river Cinca. Ensuite facilities are available in some of the rooms. Night 4 is spent in the village of
Nerin at a comfortable 2* hotel with great views over the valley. Night 5 is spent in a guesthouse in the delightful and historic town of
Ainsa. Night 6 is spent in the village of Lafortunada at a small 1* hotel in rooms with ensuite facilities. The hotel has a good restaurant.
Sherpa Notes
Waymarking
Waymarking is good but trails can be overgrown in places and care is needed.
Accommodation and Meals
A mixture of hotels, hostales (pensions) and guesthouses. Rooms with ensuite facilities are available most nights. Breakfast each morning is included (except in Ainsa), together with 6 evening meals and 4 packed lunches.
Travel
British Airways flight London Heathrow to Toulouse. Train from Toulouse to St
Lary (allow E50), then private road transfer from St Lary to Bielsa
(included in price).
The tour ends in Bielsa and return to Toulouse.
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