Cola de Caballo via the Soaso Steps from the Ordesa Meadow

An excursion that we had yet to do. At last! Yesterday the last day of summer we did it. From Jaca we set off towards the Ordesa Natural Park, we arrive at the car park, and from there we begin the 11km walk to Cola de Caballo. We made a stop to rest, take some photos and start our way back, stopping at Cascadas de Soaso and returning to the parking lot. Total 22km.

The day before yesterday on the beach, yesterday in the desert of Bardenas Reales (only "hike by car" there, but real hiking would be something. Badlands of New Mexico in northern Spain) and today in the Pyrenees. From Torla (very nice mountain town) we didn't have to take a bus (necessary in summer), but could drive straight through to the Ordesa Valley and start. For this we leave Tudela/Bardenas Reales at 7:00 am. We started at 10 and it was quite clear that we would get wet at some point. There in bright sunshine through beech forests (covered by moss and lichen like birch trees) it only went up about 2/3. A bit like Vierenberg or Dörenther cliffs, haha, if there weren't massive rock formations around it and in the end you finally saw where you were: In the Pyrenees. The last waterfall of many on the way shot down there and there were quite a few hikers (in summer it's 1800!!). No wonder, since it is THE route there: beautiful and not difficult. A bit too much forest for me. Caught on the way back

I am very impressed with the Cola de Caballo waterfall. I think it is the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen. The route to get there is all uphill, but at least you'll return going downhill. Besides, along the way you will see four or five other beautiful waterfalls. Don't worry because the entire trail is well marked, and you'll see plenty of people along the way. As a tip, you should go early in the morning because the parking is almost always full, and on some days you have to leave your car at the visitor center in Torla and take a bus from there. Don’t think twice! You will never forget this walk.

When I saw the pictures of the Ordesa Valley last year, I really wanted to go here. This valley has been a national park for over 100 years. The national park has since been expanded around Monte Perdido and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The number of visitors is limited to 1800 per day, at least for people who take the shuttle bus. It leaves Torla every 20 minutes and the drive over the serpentines (with guard rails made of matches😉 at knee height) is a bit scary when you get to see how some bus drivers drive 😱. But I think the experience in the valley justifies every bead of fear😍. The highlights are of course, in addition to the many waterfalls, the massive rock formations that frame the valley and especially Monte Perdido, whose massif forms the end of the valley where the ascent to the Refugio de Goriz begins. Even if the crowds are a bit annoying, it's a real experience that will definitely be repeated again😊. A great start to the week everyone, combined with the hope that today is also Monday🤣 and best wishes from Torla-Ordesa 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️

This beautiful tour leads from Pradera de Ordesa through the Ordesa Valley to the Cola de Caballo waterfall at the end of the valley. The path leads past other impressive waterfalls through a very beautiful beech forest. The tour is easy to walk but exhausting due to its length. It goes almost continuously over a road, only towards the end you reach a hiking trail with some high steps. We went back and forth the same way.

What can I say about this beautiful valley?? Its start from a few early hours, light rain define the charm with which it began, almost alone and with that cool morning and the lack of light made this rediscovery, a pleasure in capital letters.

This route is linear and only shows the return route from the Cola de Caballo Waterfall to the Pradera parking lot, in the heart of Ordesa.

The idea was to access the horsetail via the Senda de los Cazadores, but this path is only open in the summer season due to the risk of falling snowfields on the route.