ORDESA Ingles :Parque-Ordesa-Ingles.qxd

NATIONAL PARK OF ORDESA AND MONTE PERDIDO
english
www.turismodearagon.com
Tourist information telephone: 902 477 000
The Park
On 16 August 1918, the bottom of the Ordesa valley was declared a National Park.Two years after the approval of the Law of National Parks and only weeks from the birth of the first of them, the Park of Covadonga
Mountain. Thus the conservation of 2066 hectares full of life on the border of the legendary Aragonese
Sobrarbe and in the heart of the Pyrenees, was guaranteed.
In 1982, the Park was reclassified to incorporate the Canyon of Añisclo, the gorge of Yaga, the mountain lake
of Pineta and the massif of Monte Perdido. The name of this mythical mountain was added to its name and
the surface area it then covered was15608 hectares, much of which already belonged to the Ordesa-Viñamala
Biosphere Reserve, which the UNESCO had declared in 1977. It has also received successive European diplomas from the Council of Europe (1988, 1993 and 1998) and it has been considered Heritage of Mankind
since 1997.
Finally, in November 2004, all the management responsibilities, until then shared with the state, were transferred to the Government of Aragon.
Credits:
Photos: Julio E. Foster-Archivo Prames
Javier Romeo, Fernando Lampre,
Chesús Casaus, Eva Acín
Prepared by: Prames
Printed by: INO Reproducciones
The shape
THE PARK HAS THE HIGHEST CALCAREOUS MASSIF IN EUROPE , THE MONTE PERDIDO , WHICH RISES TO 3355 M AT ITS SUMMIT.
AT ITS FEET THE VALLEYS OF ORDESA , AÑISCLO , ESCUAIN AND PINETA SPREAD OUT , WITH THE RIVERS ARAZAS , BELLOS , YAGA
AND CINCA , RESPECTIVELY , FLOWING THROUGH THEM .
All of this is part of the Inner Mountain ranges
or Inner Pre-Pyrenees, which line the Axial
Pyrenees or the Pyrenees, strictly speaking.
Around 3 million years ago, during the Tertiary
Era, the Alpine orogeny rejuvenated the granite
and metamorphic rocks of an old mountain
range of the Primary Era (Axial Pyrenees) and
folded the deposits of limestone accumulated
over thousands of years in the adjacent seas
(Inner and Outer Mountain ranges).
A long time after, the glaciers of the Quaternary
Era moulded these folds and thick rocky layers,
excavating the extensive valleys of Ordesa and
Pineta. The two small glaciers that resist on the
northern face of Monte Perdido and that of the
northern face of Marmores, the most southern
in Europe, are real geological relics of those glaciations. Whilst the ice continues fragmenting
the rock, the liquid water has generated all kinds
of karstic reliefs, dissolving the limestone. Here
the canyon de Añisclo (Ballinisclo) and the gorge
of Escuain are outstanding examples.
The colour
THE MINERAL OR VEGETABLE COLOUR , WHICH CAMOUFLAGING THE FAUNA , CAN BE ADDED TO THE SHAPE .
THE FRENCH PHOTOGRAPHER AND PYRENEAN EXPERT , LUCIEN BRIET , FELL IN LOVE WITH ALL OF THIS , AT THE END OF THE
19 TH AND BEGINNING OF THE 20 TH CENTURIES . HE WAS ONLY ABLE TO CAPTURE THE BEAUTY OF THE COUNTRYSIDE IN
BLACK AND WHITE , BUT HIS FASCINATED VIEW WAS KEY TO ACHIEVING THE DECLARATION OF THE NATIONAL PARK OF ORDESA .
Grey is the colour that dominates the summits
before the first snows. There are different types
of limestone (Paleocene and dolomitic) and
strips of softer rocks (the Millares loams and clayey limestone), with blocks of ice and glaciers
clinging to them.
As one looks down, and if the mist permits, one
can see the brownish-reddish tones of the calcareous sandy soils, which line the valley of
Ordesa, canyon de Añisclo and Pineta or Balle
Berde.
Green is the colour that covers the bottoms of
the valleys, woody slopes and mountain flats
until the height permits. This is the colour of
spring and summer, brightened by the many seasonal flowers. But nothing can compare with the
autumn show of beech groves and mixed
woods, above all in November, when the
deployment of colour bows to the visitor. White
is for winter, although the gall oak groves still
provide a copper touch with the dry leaves that
remain on the tree until the following spring.
1400 VEGETABLE SPECIES, HALF OF THE FLORA PRESENT IN THE PYRENEES, INCLUDING 60 ENDEMISMS.
2000 M)
AND THE DEGREES OF HUMIDITY AND SUNSHINE, WITH THE ADDITION OF THE DIFFERENT SOIL COMPOSITIONS.
THE PARK IS A PARADISE FOR ALMOST
SUCH DIVERSITY IS DUE TO THE VARIETY OF MICROCLIMATES, WHICH DEPEND ON THE ALTITUDE (THE DIFFERENCE IN LEVEL EXCEEDS
Life
The influence of the Mediterranean coast, with
kermes oaks, tree strawberries and laurustinus
viburnum, reaches the lowest levels, but from 900
m above sea level upwards, we find more typically
mountain species. There are masses of kermes
oaks, gall oaks, delicate mixed woods (hazelnut,
aspen, ash, linden, birch, field maple, mountain ash
or very beautiful mountain elms), beech groves
and humid mossy wild pine groves. There are fir
trees and willow groves lining the rivers. From
1800 m above sea level, new wild and black pine
groves initiate the transition to the high mountain
meadows, where the trees disappear. Each environment has endless accompanying plants, which
become especially rare in the most inhospitable
spots, associated with rocky land.
The fauna of all these bioclimatic layers is common to other mountainous areas. There are small
and medium sized insect and grain eating birds
(tit, blue tit, goldcrest, common bullfinch, common
chaffinch, short-toes treecreeper, woodpecker),
highlighting the grouse. Others are birds of prey,
such as the northern goshawk, sparrowhawk,
short-toed eagle or tawny owl, and alongside all
of these, martens, dormice, squirrels, foxes and
wild boars exist. More typical species of sub-alpine and alpine land are the white partridge, hedge
accentator and alpine sparrow, the common
crossbill, rock thrush and Alpine chough, accompanied by the majestic flight of vultures, golden
eagles and bearded vultures. Stoats, weasels, marmots and above all, sarrio (wild goats) complete
the chapter of mammals. The rivers are the territory of the trout, the white-throated dipper and
of that singular mammal, which is the desman of
the Pyrenees.Typical amphibians are the Pyrenean
triton, the grass frog and the Pyrenean frog, described for the first time in 1992, and among the
reptiles we have to mention the slow worm, the
asp viper, the smooth snake and wall lizards like
the rock lizards.
You can also still bump into the traditional flocks
of sheep, herds of cows and horses.
The La Larri Plains
Difference in level: 340 m
Duration:1 h 15 min (outwards) and 1 h (return)
Difficulty: easy
From Rebilla to
the lookout of the Gorge
Difference in level: practically flat
Duration: about 45 minutes in all
Difficulty: easy
La Larri is a glacier origin mountain lake perpendicular to Pineta, from where there are
spectacular panoramic views of the massif of
Monte Perdido and the mountain range of the
Zucas. Going up Los Llanos is simple and above
all pleasant, thanks to the shade provided by the
Selba Pochas beech grove.
Reaching the lookout of the Gorge is a privilege
within everyone’s reach. The walk runs through
a sunny strip on the left banks of the Yaga river,
in the company of oak trees, gall oaks, kermes
oaks, maples, hazelnuts, boxes… and the singing
of robins.
The path begins behind the simple hermitage of
Virgen de Pineta (1280 m),next to the National
Parador (state-owned hotel), which is reached by
road. The path is signposted with the red and
white marks of the GR11, so you cannot get lost.
Also at the beginning there is a fountain to fill
your water bottles.The beech trees, with the odd
fir tree, convert the ascent into a suggestive walk.
After them, a small wood of pine trees announces the proximity of the plains.Take the track that
goes up from Pineta (another itinerary possibility) on the right-hand side and soon the trees
disappear, giving way to green meadows, which in
July are full of purple lilies. A shepherd’s hut (1575
m) can act as an arrival point.
Revilla is at the end of an asphalted track, which
takes off from the road that goes to Tella. A tight
bend, shortly before reaching the village, can be
used to park the car. Here there are some
information panels, which mark the start of the
path. Soon we cross the Concusa gorge, over a
metal footbridge, and the path enters La Faja. On
one side the limestone wall rises, which still houses the ruins of the San Lorenzo hermitage; on
the other the course of the Yaga river sinks down.
There are several lookouts, which look onto the
deep valley and the cliffs of the Castillo Mayor,
where it is possible to sight bearded vultures. A
small pine grove descends to the last of these balconies, open to the narrow gorge of Escuain and
to the upwellings and ravines which accompany it.
Walks
From Torla to the meadow of Ordesa
through Low Turieto
Through Ordesa
to Cola de Caballo
Difference in level: 355 m
Duration: about 3 hours (outbound) and 2 h 30
min (return)
Difficulty: easy
Difference in level: 540 m
Duration: 2 h (outwards) 1 h 30 min (return)
Difficulty: easy
Simple, shady and unknown to many is the old
path that used to join Torla and Ordesa.Walking
along we discover that the natural deployment
of the valley begins a long way before its
Meadow is reached, and undoubtedly, it means
choosing the best alternative to reach it
without using the road.
From Torla, you have to cross the Glera bridge,
next to Rio Ara camping site, and continue along
the left bank of the river (GR 1.2).Then you leave
the track that goes up to the mountain range of
Carquera on the right; later you will reach the
place where it joins path (GR 11), which goes to
the bridge of the Navarros and to Bujaruelo. On
the right, within the Park limits, the path, which
goes to Turieto Bajo, begins, on the bank of the
Arazas river, which flows into the Ara. Meadows
and groves give way to the pine grove and this, in
turn, to an exulting beech grove where pine trees
find a place, and above all fir trees. Silent shade
and padded moss, which the river accompanies
with waterfalls (Molineto, Tamborrotera and
Abetos). The Ordesa bridge, or further on, the
Fuentes and Cazadores bridges, provide access
to the Meadow.
This is a classical trip, as it includes almost all
the typical mountain landscape elements: green
meadows, dense woods, jumping rivers and a
rugged backdrop. It is so easy that it is suitable
for anyone.
The Ordesa meadow has a regulated car park,
which cannot be accessed in summer or at
Easter. At those times of the year, you have to
take the bus that leaves Torla every 15 or 20
minutes and do the rest on foot.
Once at the meadow, the route to Soaso starts
from one end of it. You will soon enter a foliage
of wild pines, beech trees, fir trees and abundant
box, and further on mountain elms, dog roses or
mountain ashes, as the road continues under the
crags of Fracauta and reaches the Arripas fountain. Next to this is the first of a series of waterfalls (Arripas, Cueva and Estrecho). Then the
darkness of the beech tree wood or Estrecho
beech grove is reached. On the other side of the
river are the steep walls of the Pozino of Arazas,
the last redoubt of the “bucardo” or Pyrenean
goat, officially extinguished in the year 2000.
After the wood, the meadows arrive, the slopes
of black pine and a succession of river falls known
as the Gradas de Soaso. A slope takes us to the
final plain, where the river twists and turns and
floods the land generating peat bog. In the background the glacier mountain lake appears over
which the summits of the Cilindro, Monte
Perdido and Pico Añisclo or Soum de Ramon rise
up –from left to right- and, finally, the Rincon de
Soaso and its emblematic waterfall, Cola de
Caballo.
Rules
The aim of any national park is to protect an
enclave of special natural beauty, its fauna and
vegetable wealth and its geological and hydrological peculiarities. Its rules try to combine these
criteria of conservation with criteria of enjoyment, which must always be responsible.
To achieve this aim, there is a Peripheral
Protection Area where some traditional uses are
permitted, and an Area of Socio-economic
Influence, which includes the villages around the
Park. Within the park, its use is governed depending on whether the areas are more or less restricted, varying from areas that isolate certain singular or threatened redoubts to those that are
easy to access and which welcome visitors.
The conservation of the National Park of Ordesa
and Monte Perdido is a job for everyone.
Contribute by respecting this Regulation.
On the inside of the National Park, the following are forbidden…
Free camping*
Picking up animals, collecting plants,
toadstools, minerals or rocks
Traffic at certain times and periods
of the year
Leaving rubbish
Bathing in rivers and lakes
Ravine descent
Making fires
Hunting
Disturbing the tranquillity of nature
Having dogs off leash
The use of bicycles on restricted
paths and roads
Fishing
* Only the “vivac” is permitted, that is, sleeping out in the open or in tent – no taller than 1.30 m - which must be set up at night fall and pulled down at dawn, higher than the following altitudes: 1800 m in the sectors of Añisclo (Fuen Blanca) and Escuain (A Ralla), 2100 mm in the sector of Ordesa (Clavijas de Soaso) and 2500 m in the sector of Pineta (Balcony of Pineta).
www.turismodearagon.com
Telephone for tourist information 902 477 000
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BARBASTRO
Dirección
Teléfono
Pza. López Allué, s/n.Antiguo mercado 974/ 29.21.70
Avda. Pirenaica, 1 (Cruce de carreteras) 974/ 50.07.67
Pza. del Castillo. Torre Nordeste
974/ 50.05.12
Avda. La Merced, 64. Conjunto S.Julián 974/ 30.83.50
y Sta. Lucía
BENASQUE
C/ San Sebastián, 5.Edif. Casa de la Cultura 974/ 55.12.89
BOLTAÑA
Avda. Ordesa, 47 Ctra. Nal. 260
974/ 50.20.43
CANFRANC
Plaza Ayuntamiento, 1. Bajos
974/ 37.31.41
FORMIGAL
Edificio Almonsa III. Bajos
974/ 49.01.96
Es la Asoc.Turistica Valle de Tena,
suple a la O.T. en invierno que está cerrada la de Sallent
GRAUS
Fermím Mur, 25
974/ 54.61.63
JACA
Plaza de San Pedro, 11-13
974/ 36.00.98
MONZÓN
Pza. Mayor,4 (Porches del Ayto)
974/ 41.77.74 /
ext.504 974/ 40.07.00
MONZÓN
Castillo de Monzón
974/ 41.77.91
PANTICOSA
C San Miguel s/n
974/ 48.73.18
SABIÑÁNIGO
Pirenarium (galería comercial).
Av. Del Ejército, 27
974/ 48.42.72
TORRECIUDAD
Santuario de Torreciudad
974/ 30.40.25
TERUEL
C/ San Francisco, 1
978/ 64.14.61
TERUEL
Pza. Amantes, 6
978/ 62.41.05
ALBARRACÍN (COMARCAL) C/ Diputación, 4
978/ 71.02.51
ALCALÁ DE LA SELVA Plaza de la Iglesia, 4. Ayuntamiento
978/ 80.10.00
ALCAÑIZ
C/ Mayor, 1
978/ 83.12.13
ALCORISA
Plaza San Sebastian .5
978/ 84.11.12
ANDORRA (COMARCAL) Pº de las Minas s/n
978/ 88.09.27
BECEITE
C/ Villaclosa, 9
978/ 89.04.68
CALACEITE
C/ Sagrado Corazón, 33
978/ 84.11.12
CALAMOCHA
Pasaje Palafox, 1
978/ 73.05.15
CANTAVIEJA
Ubicada en el Museo de las Guerras
964/ 18.54.14
Carlistas. C/ Mayor, 15
CASTELLOTE
Plaza España nº 3
978/ 88.75.61
GALVE
C/ Rambla San Joaquin, 2. Museo
978/ 77.60.47
MANZANERA
Plaza de la Cultura, 4
978/ 78.18.82
MOLINOS
Torreón Medieval
978/ 84.90.85
MORA DE RUBIELOS
C/ Diputación, 2
978/ 80.61.32
MOSCARDÓN
C/ San Antonio, 12. Bajo
978/ 70.52.72
(Antiguas Escuelas)
PEÑARROYA DE TASTAVINS Santuario Virgen de la Fuente
978/ 89.66.67
RUBIELOS DE MORA
Plaza Hispano América, 1
978/ 80.40.96
VALDELINARES
Plaza de la iglesia s/n
978/ 80.18.04
VALDERROBRES
Avda. Cortes de Aragón, 7
978/ 89.08.86
ZARAGOZA
Avda. Cesar Augusto, 25
976/ 28.21.81
ZARAGOZA
C/ Dormer, 21 (Palacio de la Maestranza) 976/ 29.45.39
ZARAGOZA
Eduardo Ibarra, 3. Auditorio
902.14.20.08
ZARAGOZA
Glorieta Pío XII s/n. Torreón de la Zuda 902.14.20.08
ZARAGOZA
Plaza del Pilar s/n
902.14.20.08
ZARAGOZA
C/ Torre, 28. bajo (S.I.P.A.)
976/ 29.84.38
ZARAGOZA
El Cuarto Espacio. Pza España, 2
976/ 21.20.32
ZARAGOZA
Aeropuerto de Zaragoza
976/ 78.01.44
ALAGÓN
Pza. de San Antonio, 2 (Casa de Cultura) 976/ 61.18.14
BORJA
Plaza España, 1. Bajos ayuntamiento 976/ 85.20.01
CALATAYUD
Plaza del Fuerte s/n
976/ 88.63.22
CASPE
Plaza de España, 1. Casa Palacio Barberán 976/ 63.65.33
DAROCA
Plaza de España, 4
976/ 80.01.29
EJEA DE LOS CABALLEROS Centro de Información Turística
de las Cinco Villas. C/Concordia, 10
976/ 66.43.90
FUENDETODOS
Cortes de Aragón, 7
976/ 14.38.67
GALLOCANTA
C/ Mayor s/n
976/ 80.30.69
JARABA
Pza. Afán de Rivera, 3
976/ 87.28.23
MEQUINENZA
Plaza Ayuntamiento, 5. Bajos
974/ 46.41.36
MUELA, LA
C/ La Balsa, 1
976/ 14.99.65
SOS DEL REY CATOLICO Pza. Hispanidad s/n (Palacio de Sada) 948/ 88.85.24
TARAZONA
Plaza San Francisco, 1
976/ 64.00.74
UNCASTILLO
C/ Santiago s/n. Iglesia de San Martín 976/ 67.90.61
Ordesa and Monte Perdido are already mythical names associated with the conservation
of natural spaces. The National Park was created around both places and it can
now add to its long history, the declarations of Reserve of the Biosphere and Heritage
of Mankind, thus guaranteeing the protection of all the beauty and life forms that
continue beating strongly in the heart of the Aragonese Pyrenees.
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ACCESS TO THE PARK:
To reach the valley of Ordesa you have to go through Torla; the Canyon of Añisclo can
be reached from Escalona and the Escuain sector from Escuain and Tella. The N260 road between Sabiñanigo and Torla and the A-138 between Barbastro and France
are the access roads to all the points indicated.
• Offices of the National Park of Ordesa and Monte Perdido (Huesca)
Tel.: 974 243 361
L
Madrid
• Torla
Tel.: 974 486 472
All year round (from Monday to Friday, 8.00 to 15.00 hours)
alencia
• Escalona
Tel.: 974 505 131
All year round (from Monday to Friday, 8.00 to 15.00 hours)
London
russels
Paris
ordeaux
Lisbon
aragoza
Madrid
• Visitors’ Centre “El Parador” (Ordesa Sector, half-way between Torla and the Ordesa
meadow)
Tel.: 974 486 421 (from Easter to October)
ern
arcelona
Rome
SP IN