In the Spanish region of Aragon, the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park is a green region presided over by the ‘Lost Mountains’, the largest limestone chain in Western Europe. The park has lush valleys lined with beech, fir and pine trees, crisscrossed by rushing rivers and shimmering waterfalls. Perhaps spring or early summer, after the snow melts, is the most pleasant time to visit this region. Honeysuckles, primroses, lilies and other flowers bloom amidst the bluffs, while high above, Egyptian vultures and golden eagles flutter and dive through the skies. Confident Pyrenean chamois teeter on rocky ledges and the water courses fill with trout.

There are a variety of hikes in the park, from easy walks to long-distance walks, connecting with even longer trails that traverse the entire continent. But in this area there is much to entertain and please the eye and the mind, without having to think of traveling further afield. There are verdant valleys, open gorges, spectacular waterfalls and sheer rock faces in the three enchanting sections of this national park.

The park can be informally divided into three main sections, each of which has a lot to offer. These three sections are Ordesa, to the west, Añisclo, to the south, and Escuain to the east. There are several possible points of access to the park, but the most common park entrance gate, especially for those who walk, is the town of Torla, which is only 3 km from the park boundary. You can easily walk from Torla to the park, just take the well-signposted GR15 path from the town which will take you to link up with the GR11. The GR11 has a fork to the right that will take you to the Pradera de Ordesa, this is the entrance to the Ordesa Canyon and the starting point for many of the most popular walks that go into the park. Walking from Torla to Pradera de Ordesa takes about two hours.

One of the most popular hikes in the park is the Circo de Soaso, a 6-7 hour day hike that takes in many of the scenic views and provides an overview of the park’s natural attractions. First, after leaving Pradera de Ordesa, the route takes you through the forest and then up a steep climb along the Camino del Cazador. You climb a bit before the path flattens out, but at the end of the trail walkers are rewarded with views of a wonderful waterfall, the Cola de Caballo.

Another beautiful walk to a waterfall is the Circo de Cotatuero. This trek takes walkers through the northern end of the charming Ordesa Valley. However, keep in mind that in winter and spring this route can be subject to avalanches. The Cotatuero Waterfall is, again, an ample reward for the steep climb. This hike can be completed in about five to six hours round trip, but if you’re looking for a challenge (and have a good head for heights), you can continue from the waterfall by climbing up a series of iron pegs in the wall, continuing to Rolande gap and then towards France.

But don’t leave this enchanting region too soon. There are many more trails to explore.