Añisclo Canyon from San Úrbez to La Ripareta

Añisclo is the canyon of the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park closest to Aínsa. The classic route leaves from the San Úrbez car park, beside its chapel under the rock, and follows the Bellós river up the canyon floor to La Ripareta.

The Route

The Park's trail leaflet gives about 3 hours each way and 440 m of ascent. From the Ereta de Biés car park you follow the road to the San Úrbez bridge, hung thirty metres over a narrow section of the Bellós; nearby is the chapel of the shepherd saint who, according to tradition, lived in that cave in the 8th century. Then you take the track that runs beside the river. At the Sangóns bridge you change banks, the slope increases and you leave on the left the path that climbs to the abandoned village of Sercué. Much further on, at La Ripareta, where the Pardina gorge joins the Bellós, the path drops back to river level.

You return the same way: allow six hours in total with stops. The Park asks for great caution when leaning over the river at some points.

Shorter or Longer

With children or little time, the Park's route 1 goes down from San Úrbez to the Bellós bridge and passes viewpoints as far as the waterfalls of the Aso river: 45 minutes there and back and 50 m of ascent. Those who continue from La Ripareta to Fuen Blanca pass through Los Estrechos, cross the river by a footbridge and come out onto an open stretch with mountain pine, as far as the great spring at the foot of the Punta de las Olas: five to six hours each way and 720 m of ascent from the car park.

Getting There

From Aínsa, take the N-138 towards France to Escalona, and there the turning on the left towards the Añisclo valley, through the Cambras gorge, to the San Úrbez car park. You can also come from the N-260, via Sarvisé and Fanlo. In high season (Easter, July, August, September and the first half of October) the lower stretch of the canyon is one-way, entering via Escalona; to leave, via Buerba and Vió to Escalona or via Fanlo to Sarvisé, both two-way. Before going, check the state of the HU-631 with the roads authority and the DGT.

Park Rules

Dogs always on a lead. Swimming in rivers, camping (only bivouac above 1,800 m in this sector) and leaving the paths are not permitted. The Park office in Escalona answers in the mornings on 974 505 131.

On the way back, have dinner in Aínsa and, if there is light left, go up to the Cinca viewpoint.