The walking programme on this holiday is in two different areas of the Aragonese Pyrenees: the Isábena Valley with its medieval hermitages and beautiful hilltop villages, where we explore valleys and high sierras on walks well off the beaten track in dramatic foothill scenery, and the Ordesa National Park, famous for its canyons, alpine flowers and an amazing range of rare birds of prey and wildlife.

Roda de Isabena
Roda de Isábena is a tiny, picturesque hilltop village with narrow lanes and a small medieval square. It is dominated by its magnificent Romanesque cathedral, which is a real gem, built when Roda was an important strategic base for the Counts of Ribagorza.

Torla
Torla is a pretty and busy mountain village at the entrance to the Ordesa National Park, with plenty of hotels and shops. It has some attractive old buildings in a magnificent setting.

DAY 1 Hospederia de Roda, Roda de Isábena D
Fly from Manchester or London Heathrow to Barcelona. Met on arrival by our guides and transferred by minibus (3-4 hours) to our hotel in the village of Roda de Isábena. We stay at the Hospederia de Roda, a beautifully reconstructed house next to the cathedral. The village is dominated by its magnificent Romanesque cathedral. Welcome reception in the hotel, followed by dinner in the cathedral refectory.

DAY 2 Hospederia de Roda, Roda de Isábena B L D
A circular walk starting with a stunning ridge walk connecting two little Ermitas high up on the beautiful Sierra de Sis, which dominates the Isábena and Nogura Valleys. Expect to see wonderful views all round. The return to the starting point is through oak woods and pastureland. The walk is in a remote area and we are unlikely to be sharing it with any other walkers. 12km, 350m height gain and loss.

DAY 3 Hospederia de Roda, Roda de Isábena B L D
Drive north (one hour) to an isolated area of alpine pastures and forests dotted with lovely villages. Here the tallest peaks of the Pyrenees are in sight and the flowers and vegetation are more alpine in character. The huge mass of Turbón (2500m) dominates today's walk. This is an idyllic day with little climbing and good paths rarely trodden by other walkers. We drive back via a shorter, different route, along the upper Isábena valley. 12km, 200m height gain.

DAY 4 Hotel Villa de Torla, Torla B D
After a leisurely breakfast, we check out of the hotel and enjoy a picturesque drive to the village of Torla (1¾ hours) where we spend the second part of the holiday. On the way we stop to explore the medieval mountain village of Ainsa in the Ara Valley. The village has an attractive arcaded square, narrow streets and some decent restaurants in the square for anyone tempted to have lunch. Continue on to Torla and our hotel is located in the village square. Above Torla you can see the 3000 foot walls of the Ordesa Canyon - one of Europe's most amazing glacial canyons and a magnet for walkers and climbers.

DAY 5 Hotel Villa de Torla, Torla B L D
A challenging start to the day as we climb up through beech and fir forest up to the Circo (Cirque) de Carriatta following the dramatic Faja de Racún (a Faja is a cliffside path) above the canyon and descending the Cirque de Cotatuero. This is a dramatic and little frequented route in the Ordesa Canyon. 10km, 500m climb, 800m descent.

DAY 6 Hotel Villa de Torla, Torla B L D
We head to the Añisclo Canyon where we walk to a tiny village abandoned since the civil war, before descending by a stunning path down into the Canyon itself. The raging waters of the River Bellos have carved the limestone to create a stunning landscape of soaring cliffs, waterfalls, forest and deep blue pools. On the way out of the canyon we pass an hermitage built by the miracle working San Urbéz. A superb day's walk. 12km, 300m climb, 500m descent.

DAY 7 Hotel Villa de Torla, Torla B L D
A classic walking circuit of the Ordesa Canyon following old hunters' paths 3000ft above the valley floor along the Faja de Pelay to the head of the Valley below Monte Perdido. Follow the river with its waterfalls back down into the valley through alpine meadows and shady beech forest. Flowers and rare birds of prey are plentiful here in Europe's oldest national park. This is an unmissable highlight of the Pyrenees. 18km, 700m climb and descent.

DAY 8 Transfer B
Transfer to Barcelona for the return flight to UK, 4-5 hours.

What the Full Price Includes

• Return Economy class flights from Heathrow to Barcelona
• Private minibus for transfers between airport and hotel, and for the programme of walks and visits to places of interest
• Seven nights hotel accommodation in a twin/double room with en-suite facilities
• Breakfast and dinner in hotels/local restaurants
• Picnic lunches for the walking programme
• Guided walking programme with English-speaking guides
• Welcome Reception
• Airport taxes and all other local taxes
• Accompanying tour leader throughout

What is not Included

• Gratuities, which are entirely optional
• Beverages
• Holiday insurance
• Any Government taxes or compulsory charges that may be introduced after the publication of this web page