Cola de Caballo via the Gradas de Soaso

What it is

It is the classic route of the Ordesa valley: from La Pradera to the Cola de Caballo waterfall, at the head of the valley, at the foot of the glacial Soaso cirque. You cover the whole valley along its floor, from beech forest to high-mountain pasture, with the Monte Perdido massif ahead. The National Park gives it 2 h 30 to 3 h each way and 550 m of climb, and recommends returning the same way. Allow 5 or 6 hours in total, plus stops.

The route step by step

According to itinerary 3 of the official trail leaflet:

1. La Pradera – Estrecho waterfalls. The first stretch is that of the Estrecho waterfalls: you leave from the far end of the La Pradera car park along the Soaso path, among beeches and firs, pass the Arripas waterfall viewpoint and reach the Cueva and Estrecho falls.
2. From the forest to the mountain pine. Beyond the Estrecho waterfalls, the beech forest gives way to grassland and mountain pine forest. The path gains height gradually.
3. Gradas de Soaso. The river drops in successive steps, one waterfall after another. It is one of the prettiest stretches.
4. Soaso cirque. The path levels out across the meadow of the cirque, of glacial origin, with a good view of the Monte Perdido massif.
5. Cola de Caballo. At the end, at the head of the valley, the waterfall falls. From here, return the same way.

There are other ways out from Soaso, such as the climb to the Góriz refuge along the GR 11 or the Faja de Pelay, but the Park recommends going down the way you came.

When to go

From late spring to autumn. June brings more water to the Gradas de Soaso and the Cola de Caballo itself; in October the beech forest turns red and yellow. In summer, set out early: the last stretch, through the cirque, is in the sun. In winter and early spring there can be snow at Soaso; the Góriz refuge publishes the condition of the routes on its website.

How to get to La Pradera

On the days the Torla bus runs (Easter, the May long weekend, from 19 June to 20 September and several autumn weekends and long weekends in 2026), cars cannot go beyond Torla. You park for free next to the visitor centre and go up by bus: €6 return, free for under-10s, no booking. In 2026 the first left at 6:00 (at 7:00 from October) and the last down from La Pradera left between 20:00 and 22:00 depending on the period. The rest of the year you drive up.

With 5 or 6 hours of walking, catch one of the first buses: that way you reach Soaso before the heat and come back without watching the clock.

Water and food

Bring all the water and food for the day. At La Pradera there is a restaurant, which also sells the ticket for the bus down, cash only; on the path there are no other services. The Góriz refuge lies above Soaso, already off this route.

With children or a dog

Only with children used to walking several hours. If they are small, do only the stretch to the Estrecho waterfalls, one hour each way. Dogs may go, always on a lead throughout the National Park; if you come across loose livestock, keep your distance and don't let your dog approach.

If the weather changes

In summer afternoon storms are frequent in the Pyrenees. If you see towering clouds or hear thunder, don't stay in the open cirque: head down towards the forest. If it rains, the way back is the same as the way out, with no difficult passages. Don't cut it fine for the last bus down.