We arrived in Torla on a Thursday, around noon. We had expected a passing shower, instead it was steady rain until 6pm. Any ambitions of hiking had to be scrapped. Our guesthouse had only a trickle of internet. RENFE (Spanish train) website couldn't sell us tickets. The grocery stores did not open by their posted hours (John started talking about rationing our food stash). It might have been the worst day of the whole trip, and it was our anniversary.
There was only one way for things to turn. Torla is at 1000 meters, so all the rain we got meant new snow at the top. The valley was extra picturesque. First thing the next morning we caught a ride with our new friends Ana and Antonio (from Barcelona, 31/2 hours away) directly to the parking lot at Ordesa and walked the canyon/waterfall trail to the Cola de Caballo waterfall.
The next day we walked directly from Torla to the top the canyon. It was gratifying for me to look eye level (more or less) at the same mountain tops that I had to throw back my head to see from the canyon. On the day we left, we caught a ride again to the same parking lot and walked back to Torla , which was easy but very worthwhile. Quite a few people were walking that, apparently they must agree with us, though it was a Sunday.
On top of the magnificent scenery and all the water and waterfalls, we even saw some wildlife: a chamois, a red deer, and griffon vultures. We have been told that in the spring the waterfalls are bigger in Ordesa, but fall foliage is also very beautiful; something for us to look forward to.
From the bus window as we approach Torla.
Day One: We catch a ride with Ana and Antonio and then walk to the Cola de Caballo waterfall. I took this shot just at the edge of town, Torla, while waiting for passing cars.
Ana kindly took this photo of SL and I with my phone.
A beautiful walk, punctuated with waterfalls and ending (turn around point for most walkers) in a magnificent upper pasture.
Our fav waterfall was the Gradas de Soaso. Some video and pics.
And the video link is here.
With Ana and Antonio. Photo courtesy of Antonio.
To the upper pasture, with great views to snow-capped peaks, Monte Perdido at back left, and the Cola de Caballo waterfall. Photo courtesy of Antonio.
And we head back to the parking lot.
Done.
Day Two: It's up, up, up from 950 meters above sea level on the Torla bridge, to 2100 meters high above the Ordesa Valley where we walked the day before.
But first, we have to wait while the cows clear the Torla bridge. Then we follow trail PR-129 up to St Ana church at 1500 meters.
Lunch with a view at 1700 meters.
And a final push up PR-129 to the Mirador d'Molar.
Almost at the treeline.
Various views along the Mirador ridge at 2100 meters, about 7000 feet.
View down to yesterday's trailhead and parking lot.
A blurry view of a griffon vulture soaring by below.
Alpine flowers.
We walk a few meters farther and kick back on some warm rocks and relax.
Day Three: Hitch a ride back to the Ordesa Valley Parking lot and walk back to Torla along the Rio Ara.
Lovely waterfalls!
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