Adventure in the heights — Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park

I’ve always felt a certain envy for the birds. I imagine what they see and if the view from up there is just as impressive as down here. I’ve often dreamt that, simply by waving my arms and legs, I would fly out of the window like Peter Pan. I’ve longed for that natural grace, that feeling of being free like a bird. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I can't give you wings to fly, but I can offer you a hiking route that will make you feel closer to heaven than to earth. And that's more than enough to know that your time, sweat, and maybe even tears – of joy, of course – are well spent.

This Collection is made up of two incredible Tours designed for people with a lot of stamina who are looking to conquer heights. You take on the two highest peaks in the Ordesa National Park: Monte Perdido and the Cilindro de Marboré. Trekking poles and a rope could be your greatest allies and both ascents require mountain experience and knowledge of the terrain before starting out.

Both the Torla visitor centre and the Góriz hut have information about the state of the terrain at any given moment. It’s important that if you do not have experience with crampons and ice axes, you should only do these routes in summer, when there’s no snow. You should also check the weather forecast before making the ascent. You’re facing two 3,000 metre (10,000 ft) peaks and the weather changes rapidly in the high mountains.

The best time to do this route is in summer, as the exposed passes are much safer when there’s no ice or snow. It can also be a very busy area, so it’ll be more peaceful if you avoid the weekends.

As for accommodation, you have the option of sleeping in the Góriz hut or camping next to it, but in both cases you must book in advance. This allows you to save some weight too, as you can leave your heavy luggage in the lockers and make the ascents more comfortable.

To get to the Ordesa meadow, bear in mind that you can reach it by private vehicle as long as it’s not high season (Easter, summer and the Pilar long weekend). In these periods, you have two options: buy the Torla-Ordesa bus ticket at the Torla visitor centre or walk around 7 kilometres (4 mi) along the Turieto path.

It’s my pleasure to inspire you, but it’s my duty to let you fly as you please. That's why you can customise the route to your liking using the template below.