Walk through the floor of Spain's most spectacular canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ancient beech and fir forests frame towering limestone walls while the Arazas River rushes alongside the path to the Circo de Soaso waterfall.
The Ordesa Canyon Floor Trail follows the bottom of the Ordesa Valley in Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Spain's most spectacular protected areas in the Pyrenees of Aragon. The trail runs approximately 16 kilometres round trip along the Arazas River from the Pradera de Ordesa car park to the Circo de Soaso, a glacial amphitheatre backed by the Cola de Caballo (Horse's Tail) waterfall and overlooked by Monte Perdido (3,355m).
The trailhead at Pradera de Ordesa is reached via the A-135 highway from Broto, then a mountain road to the national park entrance. In summer (approximately June to mid-September) a mandatory shuttle bus operates from Torla-Ordesa to the Pradera car park; private vehicles are prohibited on this road during peak season. The shuttle runs from approximately 6:30am and early departure secures access before the canyon fills with visitors.
The trail begins in dense ancient beech and silver fir forest, following the left bank of the Arazas River. The path is wide, well-maintained, and clearly marked throughout. Elevation gain along the valley floor is modest — approximately 300 metres over 8 kilometres — making the outward leg accessible to most walkers. The return leg is largely downhill through the same forest.
The canyon walls tower over 1,000 metres overhead, composed of pale limestone draped in hanging forests and punctuated by waterfalls. The Circo de Soaso at the valley head is one of the most photographed landscapes in the Pyrenees: a 360-degree wall of cliffs with the Cola de Caballo waterfall at its centre and the flanks of Monte Perdido rising above. The final kilometre to the circo is steeper and rockier, and can be icy and slippery in May and early June.
There is no food service within the national park valley beyond the Pradera car park area. Water is available from the Arazas River but should be treated or filtered. The Refugio de Goriz at 2,160 metres is accessible by steep trail from the Circo de Soaso, offering meals and dormitory beds for those continuing to the high route. Wildlife is notable throughout: Pyrenean chamois are frequently seen on the lower canyon walls, Egyptian and griffon vultures circle overhead from mid-morning, and marmots inhabit the upper meadows.
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, Aragon
- Best season
- June to October
Highlights
- Circo de Soaso waterfall
- Ancient beech forest
- Canyon wall reflections
- Monte Perdido views
- Wildlife spotting
Tips for visiting
- Take the mandatory summer shuttle bus from Torla-Ordesa; arrive at the shuttle stop by 7am to board an early service and reach the canyon head before crowds build.
- The return from the Circo de Soaso can be varied by taking the Faja de Pelay ledge path on the right bank for canyon-wall views before descending — add approximately 2 hours.
- Trekking poles reduce fatigue on the return descent, which is more tiring than the gentle outward gradient suggests.
- The Circo de Soaso can be icy and slippery in May and early June even when the valley floor is clear; gaiters and microspikes are recommended for early-season visits.
- Carry all food and drink needed for the day — there are no services inside the canyon beyond the car park area at Pradera de Ordesa.
When to visit
Late June through September offers the most reliable conditions, with the valley floor clear of snow and the Arazas River at manageable levels. Early spring (May) brings spectacular waterfalls but can see snow and ice above 1,500 metres; autumn (October) delivers golden beech foliage and fewer visitors.
Accessibility
The first kilometre of the Ordesa Canyon Floor Trail from the Pradera car park is paved and reasonably flat, and may be accessible to visitors using wheelchairs with assistance on dry days. Beyond this point, the path becomes a compacted rocky track unsuitable for wheelchairs. The full route to the Circo de Soaso is not wheelchair accessible.
Frequently asked questions
When does the mandatory shuttle bus to Ordesa operate?
The shuttle bus from Torla-Ordesa to Pradera de Ordesa operates from approximately mid-June to mid-September, the period when private vehicles are excluded from the access road. Outside this window, cars can drive directly to the Pradera car park.
Is an entrance permit required for Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park?
No general entrance permit is required for the Ordesa Valley trail. However, advance booking via the national park's online system is recommended in summer as daily visitor numbers are managed. The shuttle bus ticket covers both the bus and park access during peak season.
What is the difficulty of the Ordesa Canyon Floor Trail?
The trail is graded easy to moderate. The valley floor walk is straightforward on a wide, maintained path with gentle gradients. The final kilometre to the Circo de Soaso involves a steeper, rockier ascent that requires more effort and care in wet or icy conditions.
Can the trail be extended into the high Pyrenees?
Yes. From the Circo de Soaso, a steep trail climbs to Refugio de Goriz (2,160m) and beyond to Monte Perdido (3,355m). This extension requires an overnight at the refuge and, for the summit itself, crampons and alpine experience. The refuge must be booked well in advance.
Is the Ordesa Canyon Floor Trail suitable for families with young children?
The valley floor section (first 6 to 7km each way) is well-suited to families with children aged 6 and above. The path is wide and non-technical on this section. The final approach to the Circo de Soaso is steeper and less suitable for very young children or pushchairs.