The Ordesa Valley is a glacial valley in
Aragon
Aragon ( , ; Spanish and ; ) is an autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. In northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces of Spain, ...
, in the
Spanish
Spanish might refer to:
* Items from or related to Spain:
**Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain
**Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many countries in the Americas
**Spanish cuisine
**Spanish history
**Spanish culture
...
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees are a mountain range straddling the border of France and Spain. They extend nearly from their union with the Cantabrian Mountains to Cap de Creus on the Mediterranean coast, reaching a maximum elevation of at the peak of Aneto. ...
, forming part of the
Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park
Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park (Parque nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido) is an IUCN Category II National Park situated in the Pyrenees. There has been a National Park in the Ordesa Valley since 1918. Its protected area was enlarged in 1 ...
. The valley is approximately long.
History
The Ordesa Valley was first documented in 1820 and was later mapped in detail during the 1920s.
It became part of the
Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park
Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park (Parque nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido) is an IUCN Category II National Park situated in the Pyrenees. There has been a National Park in the Ordesa Valley since 1918. Its protected area was enlarged in 1 ...
in 1918, making it one of Spain's earliest protected natural areas.
Geography
The valley's east–west orientation, which is unusual in the Pyrenees, allows Atlantic Ocean influences, contributing to its moderate climate.
The Arazas River flows through the valley, creating multiple waterfalls, such as the Cola de Caballo (Horsetail Waterfall).
Ecology and conservation
The valley hosts diverse ecosystems, ranging from subalpine forests to high-mountain meadows. Notable tree species include Scots pine (''Pinus sylvestris''), Silver fir (''Abies alba''), and European beech (''Fagus sylvatica'').
It also has one of Europe’s largest populations of the Pyrenean Chamois (''Rupicapra pyrenaica''). Other wildlife includes griffon vultures (''Gyps fulvus''), golden eagles (''Aquila chrysaetos''), and brown bears (''Ursus arctos''), though the latter are extremely rare.
Designated a
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1997, the park implements measures to balance tourism with habitat protection, including restricted access zones.
Geology
The valley's formation stems from the collision of the
Iberian and
Eurasian tectonic plates during the
Alpine orogeny
The Alpine orogeny, sometimes referred to as the Alpide orogeny, is an orogenic phase in the Late Mesozoic and the current Cenozoic which has formed the mountain ranges of the Alpide belt.
Cause
The Alpine orogeny was caused by the African c ...
, creating folds and faults in its limestone and dolomite bedrock.
Erosional processes further shaped the terrain:
* Glacial activity carved the U-shaped Ordesa and Pineta valleys, while river erosion formed the Añisclo and Escuaín canyons.
*
Karstification produced features like underground drainage systems and sinkholes, contributing to the valley’s aridity at higher elevations.
At the north-east end of the valley, several prominent peaks can be seen, including:
*
Monte Perdido
Monte Perdido (in Spanish; Mont Perdu in French; Mont Perdito in Aragonese; all three meaning ''lost mountain'') is the third highest mountain in the Pyrenees. The summit of Monte Perdido (3355 m), located in Spain, lies hidden from France ...
– (third-highest peak in the Pyrenees)
*
Cilindro de Marboré
Cilindro de Marboré (3,328 m) (also known as Pico Cilindro and Pic du Cylindre) is a mountain in the Monte Perdido massif in the Pyrenees.
It is one of the three mountains comprising ''Las Tres Sorores'' (the three sisters), the others being Mo ...
–
*
Soum de Ramond –
These three peaks form part of the
Monte Perdido Massif, dominating the northeastern end of the valley.
Tourism
The valley’s trails attract over 600,000 annual visitors:
* Cola de Caballo Route: A 17.5 km round-trip trail leads to the iconic "Horsetail" waterfall, passing landmarks like the Gradas de Soaso cascades and Circo de Soaso glacial cirque.
* Faja de Pelay: A challenging 22 km loop offering cliffside views from the Senda de los Cazadores path.
* Góriz Refuge: A key basecamp for ascents of Monte Perdido and adjacent peaks.
Visitor management includes shuttle buses from Torla to reduce traffic and trail erosion.
References
External links
Official website of Ordesa y Monte Perdido National ParkSatellite imagefrom
Google Maps
Google Maps is a web mapping platform and consumer application offered by Google. It offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, 360° interactive panorama, interactive panoramic views of streets (Google Street View, Street View ...
{{coord, 42, 38, 55, N, 0, 03, 29, W, source:eswiki, display=title
Valleys of Spain
Pyrenees
Landforms of the Province of Huesca
Landforms of Aragon