En passant day 16: Ordessa

Ordessa - another Pyrenean pin-up, another UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site - just south of Gavarnie,  across the border.  In fine weather, when there's no snow, a well equipped walker can walk between the two - passing through the Breche de Roland, making use of one of the refuges on either side for an overnighter.  But that's at 2800m+ and its ill advised to go above 1700m at the moment without full snow and ice equipment, and the refuges aren't open.  It must have been a tumultuous geological event that threw these two natural wonders up so close to each other, either side of the border. Privileged to have visited them both when there are relatively few tourists around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I get to 'walk in' my new boots (and fleece and top)

 

And get back in time for a glass in my local tapas bar



En passant day 15: Parc Naturel de la Sierra y los Canones de Guara

I only made it to the northern edge of this park - but I'm glad I did.  The three highest villages in the valley I visited are completely depopulated (since 1965): a few holiday homes and a couple of refugios for hikers. 

 

 

En passant day 14: Los Mallas de Riglos & Castillo de Loarre

 

 

 

 

En passant 2015 day 4: A day trip to Aragon