Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park — Attraction in Fanlo

The National Park of Ordesa and Monte Perdido is one of the most beautiful natural areas in the whole of the Pyrenees, and even in Spain itself. There are high mountains for trekkers and climbers, vast forested slopes and mountain pastures, frondant valleys with fast-flowing streams or rivers. The main entrance is via a bus from Torla, but you can also drive along the Pineta valley on the eastern side of the park, or to the Revilla balconies, or take a drive along the spectacular Añisclo gorge, or explore the Bujaruelo valley to the southwest. There are well-marked paths for the excursionists and plenty of accommodation and restaurants in the villages that border the Spanish side of the park. Ordesa was one of the first places I visited in Spain, back in early April 1984 with the UEA bird club. Then we had most of the place to ourselves, as we followed the River Arazas valley as far as the Cola de Caballo waterfall and back again. As birders we were delighted with what we saw, with Wallcreeper, Black Woodpecker and Lammergeier being the most memorable. Nowadays, I don't get to the park that often, as we centre most of our birding tours closer to our home in Lleida, although in the last ten years or so I've had reason to go along most of the entrance points mentioned above. Wallcreepers are easier to see in the non-breeding season, and in a place such as the Añisclo gorge you may get lucky, as I have. The forests of the Pineta valley are good for Black Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Goldcrest and other forest birds, perhaps Ring Ouzel too, while the site par excellence for the Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture) must be the "miradores" of Revilla. Here you may see double figures of Lammergeiers as well as other birds of prey and...

The Ordesa Valley is a glacial valley in Aragon, in the Spanish Pyrenees which forms part of the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. It was first discovered in 1820, but not mapped in detail until approximately the 1920s.[1] The valley is about 11 kilometres (7 mi) long.[1] The valley's east–west orientation, unusual in the Pyrenees, opens it to influence from the Atlantic Ocean and gives it a moderate climate. It has one of Europe's largest populations of the Pyrenean Chamois and is well known for its waterfalls and wildlife. Monte Perdido (3,355 m) is the third highest mountain in the Pyrenees and together with Cilindro de Marboré (3,328 m) and Soum de Ramond (3,263 m) can be seen at the north-east end of the valley. The name Monte Perdido (lost mountain) was given because the peak could not be seen from the French side...

The national park is absolutely spectacular. The views are breathtaking.

Access to the park is done from Torla where there is a huge parking lot where you can leave your car and it is free. In front of the parking there is the buss station and ticket office. The busses come regularly and the ride takes about 20 minutes. Access with the car has been banned for obvious reasons.

Everything is very well organized and you will get a map as well. The paths are very well marked and maintained.

The park itself is indescribably beautiful with cristal clear streams, waterfalls and breathtaking views.

Depending on the path you take it cat take a while so start early in the morning and bring plenty of water with you.

If you are in the area you should...