Walks and Climbs in the Pyrenees

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ROUTE 116

Pradera de Ordesa (1320m) –
Refugio de Góriz (2170m)
Grade    3
Distance    9.5km
Height gain    850m
Time    4hrs
 
At the eastern end of the roadhead car park a signed trail leads through shrubbery across grass neat as a Surrey lawn, keeping some way from the river and rising through woods towards a gorge. On the left is the towering Fraucata face of Monte Arruebo at the entrance to the Circo de Cotatuero. Behind you will be seen the flake of Tozal del Mallo in profile, while across the canyon the long wall of the Sierra de las Cutas extends flat-topped in both directions.

Continue along the path which climbs through the woods in a southeasterly direction within earshot of the falls. These are mostly unseen, but at the top of a steep section of path you come into view of the top fall, the dramatic Cascada Frachinal. From here the view over forest and lower valley is ample reward for the walk so far, and many visitors stray no further than this. The path climbs on, then emerges from forest into the valley’s upper level.

Crossing meadows you will reach a rocky section which the path ascends to the left of a delightful series of cascades known as the Gradas de Soaso, where the stream falls over broad steps bordered by cushions of moss and miniature pines. At the top of this you enter the final meadows below the Circo de Soaso, with the great bulk of Monte Perdido and Sum de Ramond above, and the lovely waterfall of Cola de Caballo (the ‘Horse’s Tail’) tumbling down the left-hand side of the cirque walls.

At the head of the valley the path crosses the stream on the Puente de Soaso. A signpost here gives two options for the continuing route:

• A direct ascent of the cirque wall is possible by the Clavijas – fixed chains and pegs, suitable only for the sure-footed; this route begins to the right of the waterfall.
• The alternative (the Camino de las Mulas) swings in zigzags up the face of the cirque and joins the other path at the top of the clavijas.

Having gained height the path then takes a northerly course, waymarked with paint flashes, rising steadily to gain the hut about 1hr from the Circo de Soaso.