Friday 4^th July

Yesterday we left the excellent Camping Boltana and arrived at the Torla free car park around 10am ready for the 5 hour walk through the canyon. We walked around the pretty mountainside town and found a couple of small supermarkets. We then bought the 4.50 return bus tickets that would take us to the Entrance of the Ordesa National Park (cars are forbidden to use this road in the summer), We sat at the front of the bus watching it fill up with a variety of people. Most people were kitted out well but one or two got on with open toe sandals and worryingly a few people had trouble making the two steps on to the bus. There was also an Australian woman dressed in bright yellow leggings and a top, presumably hoping to be rescued. I worried as to what would happen when the bus stopped, would we all end up packed together for the 5 hour walk talking about ourselves and maybe exchanging addresses at the end…no way. Soon as the bus stopped the two Brits at the front shot into pole position and were never seen again. Presumably for the rest the descent from the bus was proving more difficult.

The first hour of the walk took us through mainly woodland, with opportunities to briefly leave the main path and use the observation platforms to view the wonderful waterfalls. Then the path opened up into meadows with the full view of the canyon clearly visible. We reached the valley ending in good time, two and a half hours and after a quick break decided to return via the more difficult and longer Faja de Pelay. This took us across the river to the other side of the valley were we had to climb the steep ascent almost to the top of the valley. Then the path levelled off until the final descent, the most difficult part where we looked directly down at the bus stop, I estimated 20 minutes for the descent…it took 75 minutes and was the most difficult part of the walk as it was mainly walking on rocks and boulders from avalanches. Eventually we made it to the bus completing the walk in exactly 6 hours.

We then drove the 15 miles to Camping Gavin, a quick shower and straight to the restaurant for a 15 euro, 3 course meal of the day (bottle of wine included in price).

Transpired

The first hour is mainly through woodland with  occasional viewings of some great waterfalls

Eventually the valley opens out.

The final section along the valley floor follows the river.

Another of the many waterfalls.

Showing all of the waterfalls may have been too much but there is no doubting their beauty.

The end of the Canyon comes into sight.

If she'd seen the huge balls hanging from the one on the left its doubtful if she'd pass it.

Looking back on the final stretch of the outward walk.

The end of the canyon walk but you can go past the waterfall, through the gap and walk to a Refuge.

Again, the end of the canyon.

The start of our ascent up from the valley floor.

This, more difficult route gives you amazing views of the canyon walls.

Competition for the Grand Canyon, USA?

There were just too many good photies to include. At this point we had a thunderstorm for about 30 minutes.

We were looking down at the car park, not realising that the descent would take 75 minutes made quite difficult over rain soaked rocks.