Hut to Hut Hiking Pyrenees: Ordesa and Pyrenees National Parks (Spain & France)

Hut to Hut Hiking Pyrenees Ordesa National Parks (4-day, 3-night).

Hut to hut hiking Pyrenees Ordesa. During this hike we will begin in Spain on day 1, pass over the high Pyrenees and spend two days in France, and then return to Spain on day 4. A two-country, two-national park, multi-day hut-to-hut masterpiece!

Ordesa-Monte Perdido National Park is one of only two national parks in the Spanish Pyrenees (the other is Aigüestortes National Park, click here for our Aigüestortes hut-to-hut trips). It is located in the province of Huesca and shares the border with France. On the French side lies Pyrénées National Park. Thus, these two national parks border one another and are only separated by the international border between the two countries. Interestingly, the two sides of the border and therefore the two national parks are quite different in appearance even with their adjacency.

This is one of the most impressive areas in the entire Pyrenees mountain range, which is evident because both countries designated these areas as protected national parks. In 1997, both areas together were designated the Pyrénées-Mont Perdu World Heritage Site and on the Spanish side the Ordesa Valley is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. On the French side, the Cirque de Gavarnie is home to France's highest waterfall, a whopping 421m high! Simply a majestic sight to see.

Hut to hut hiking Pyrenees Ordesa: The Trip

This 4-day 3-night excursion takes in some of the most impressive areas of both national parks. Our route leads us through Ordesa Valley, then up and over the high Pyrenees and a pass that forms the border between Spain and France. We then spend two days in France before returning to Spain on the final day of the trip. We will follow a stretch of the famous Spanish trans-Pyrenean GR-11 trail, then wander off on smaller trails that cross into France. Later, we will pick up the famous French trans-Pyrenean GR-10 before changing directions and returning to Spain on some less traveled trails. This trip takes in an amazing diversity of alpine landscapes, waterfalls, and glacially carved valleys and lakes all of which are surrounded by multiple 3000m peaks.

Each night we will sleep in a different hut. On days 1 and 3 we will sleep in Spain and on day 2 we will sleep in France. All are fully serviced mountain huts offering food and hot showers. We will take advantage of this commodity while enjoying full days of walking and being in a pure state of nature. During the four days we will make a big loop so each day we cover different ground with changing views throughout the trip. We start and finish in the same spot so no need for car shuttles or complicated transport before or after the trip. Bring your camera and get ready for a Bigtime Aventura! Contact us today to get started on this incredible trip!

Duration: 4 days, 3 nights

Next Dates: June 1 - October 31, 2023 (dates may vary depending on conditions and availability)

• Certified mountain guide: Spanish Mountain Guides Association (AEGM) and Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA). Native English, fluent Spanish
• Planning and logistics
• 3 nights accommodation in mountain huts (Day 1-3). We will stay at a different hut each night. Day 1 in Spain, Day 2 in France, Day 3 in Spain.
• Food is provided at the huts. This includes: 2 dinners (Day 1-2), 3 breakfasts (Day 2-4), and 2 picnic lunches (Day 2-3).
• Liability Insurance during the activity
• Accident Insurance during the activity
• Basic First Aid Kit

• Transportation to and from the start/finish point
• Breakfast and lunch on Day 1
• Dinner on Day 3 (this hut has an 'a la carte dinner menu')
• Picnic lunch, dinner and lodging on Day 4
• Drinks in the huts (beer, wine, soda)
• International Travel Insurance (highly recommended).  See links below for more information.
  • Global Rescue
  • Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance

Parking (Spain, 09:00) - Hut 1 (Spain)

Distance: 12km

Elevation gain: 900m

Elevation loss: 50m

Time: 5-6hr

Hut 1 (Spain) - Hut 2 (France)

Distance: 17km

Elevation gain: 700m

Elevation loss: 1400m

Time: 8-10hr

Hut 2 (France) - Hut 3 (Spain)

Distance: 16km

Elevation gain: 800m

Elevation loss: 1000m

Time: 7-8hr

Hut 3 (Spain) - Parking (Spain, 14:00)

Distance: 11km

Elevation gain: 150m

Elevation loss: 400m

Time: 4-5hr

• A positive attitude and desire to hike in the mountains! This is an active vacation so be ready to move your body, feel the excitement, and visit some extraordinary places!
• Each person must be capable of hiking for extended periods (8-10hr per day) and be accustomed to spending extended time (4 days) in mountainous alpine terrain. This means that we will be hiking over varied terrain during 4 consecutive days in the mountains and possibly in varying weather conditions. One day may be sunny and hot but the next day could be cold and wet. It is possible that this type of scenario could occur on the same day.
• Each participant must be prepared for changing weather conditions and variations in terrain.
• A medium to high level of physical and mental fitness is necessary for this trip.

The following is a list of personal material that each participant should bring:

• Waterproof/Goretex hiking/trekking boots with rubber soles (i.e. Vibram). High top or medium top boots are recommended. Please break in your boots before this hike! Nothing can put a damper on a multi-day hike like a blister on Day 1!
• Appropriate clothing for outdoor adventures in the mountains. Dress in layers, like an onion. The 3-layer system is important and should definitely be utilized on our multi-day hike. Base layer: synthetic thermal clothing to wick away perspiration and keep you dry. Middle layer: fleece jacket to maintain body heat. Outer layer: waterproof/windproof shell to protect against the elements.
• Long pants (recommended that they are water resistant)
• Long sleeve shirt (recommended that it is water resistant)
• Comfortable socks
• Backpack to carry all your personal gear. Ideally 30-40L capacity. Pack light and do not bring more than is absolutely necessary! Aim for < 10kg.
• Lightweight sleeping bag or sleeping sack
• Lightweight pillow
• Lightweight towel
• Water bottle(s)/Camelback, etc. Minimum 1L.
• Personal medication
• Sun glasses, sun screen SPF 30+, sun hat, lip balm
• Light sleeping bag or sleeping sheet (the huts have blankets but you can bring your own if you want)
• Headlamp
• Hiking poles (highly recommended)
• Binoculars (optional)

• This Hut to Hut Trip is customizable to fit your schedule, energy, fitness, or desire. That means that we can shorten or lengthen it depending on what you want.
• Lengthen your trip! Can't get enough of the beautiful Pyrenees and want more days of hiking? Add them on! Tell us how many days you'd like to hike and we can design a trip to your desires.
• Shorten your trip! Not up for four days of hiking? No problem, we can design your trip for 3 days and 2 nights. Or even 2 days and 1 night. Let us know what you want and we will make it happen.
• Backcountry hiking with bivouacs! Would you rather rough it in the mountains? Find your own secluded place to sleep in the mountains, prepare your own meals with basic utensils, and make a bivouac? We also do these types of backcountry hiking trips in the Pyrenees. Contact us for more information and we will design a trip for you!
• Do you want more adventure in the Ordesa National Park area? Combine this trip with our 5-day multi-adventure Ordesa National Park Canyoning and Via Ferrata trip for a total of 9 days of outdoor adventure in the Pyrenees!
• Or try some rock climbing! Add on a day of rock climbing before or after the hut to hut hiking trip. Either single pitch (max 30m high) or multi-pitch (100-700m high) options available!