Valley of the PinetaThe Piñeta Valley is located not far from the border in the province of Huesca (Aragonese Pyrenees). It stretches over twelve kilometers from the town of Bielsa along the Río Cinca to the cirque de la Piñeta at the foot of Monte Perdido (Lost Mountain). It’s an ancient U-shaped glacial valley bounded by high, steep ridges.
Pineta Valley Plan
pineta valley road
Pineta Valley 1At the end of the road you’ll come to the Hotel Parador de Monte Perdido and a parking area where you can leave your car for the day or several days. You are now in the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park.
Facing you are magnificent cliffs where the waters of the Río Cinca flow from the high parts of the cirque, rushing all along the rock faces and forming superb waterfalls.
csacade valley pineta
cinca waterfall pineta valley
larri waterfall pineta valleyYou take the path that climbs up near the chapel following the río de La Larrí. This path has steps along most of its route. Caution! Due to the proximity of the river and waterfalls, it is very wet and slippery in places! You then reach a plateau with a direct view of the Monte Perdido massif. A feast for the eyes! The return journey can be made by the same route or by a wider path that presents no difficulties. Difference in altitude of approx. 400m from the parking lot.
monte perdido
chapel valle de la pineta
pineta valley sign
pineta balcony
lake of marboré and breche du
lake of marboréWith an ascent of 1400m, but you can spend the night at the Tuquerouye refuge located near the lake (please check beforehand as work is planned).
Start from the parking lot, signposts will guide you. After a wooded area very pleasant on hot days you’ll be at 1600m and already have a breathtaking view of the Piñeta valley, the Tres Marias (Three Marys) and the majestic Cinca waterfall.
When you reach the latter, you can stop and refresh yourself. From here the path becomes stony but still very well marked. A series of hairpin bends will quickly take you up to the Balcon de la Pineta (2600m).
The hike continues between boulders and takes you directly to Lac de Marboré, at the foot of Mont Perdu and Cylindre. The Tuquerouye refuge is located in the narrow passage of the brèche of the same name facing Mont Perdu. I took the time to admire these peaks, ranked among the highest in the Pyrenean chain (3rd and 11th).
The return journey is via the same route, with some nice surprises.
It’s also an opportunity to appreciate the exceptional flora of our major National Park sites.
pineta valley flower
edelweis
