Faja de Pelay

What it is

The Faja de Pelay is a path hanging at mid-height on the ledges of the south side of the Ordesa valley, above the beech forest and facing the great northern walls. The National Park proposes it as a circuit from La Pradera: you go up by the Senda de los Cazadores, follow the faja to the Soaso cirque and come down along the valley floor. It is 7 hours round trip and 650 m of climb. It is the way to see Ordesa from above without technical passages, but it demands strong legs and no fear of heights on the climb.

The route step by step

According to itinerary 4 of the Park's official trail leaflet:

1. La Pradera – Senda de los Cazadores bridge. At the far end of La Pradera you take the path on the right and cross the Arazas river by the Senda de los Cazadores bridge.
2. Senda de los Cazadores. Here is almost all the effort: a winding, demanding path that gains height relentlessly up the slope.
3. Calcilarruego viewpoint. At the end of the climb you reach this viewpoint, with a broad view of the whole valley.
4. Faja de Pelay. From the viewpoint you join the faja, a gentle path that keeps the height gained, hanging above the valley. It is the long, comfortable stretch of the day.
5. Soaso cirque. The faja leaves you at the bottom of the cirque, near the Cola de Caballo.
6. Descent along the valley floor. You return along the Soaso path, past the Gradas de Soaso and the Estrecho waterfalls, to La Pradera.

Difficulty and who it is for

The climb up the Senda de los Cazadores is hard and steep; the faja, by contrast, is flat and easy, and the descent along the valley floor comfortable. You need good fitness, mountain footwear and no fear of heights: on the climb and on some stretches of the faja the valley is at your feet. It is not a route for small children; with teenagers used to the mountains, yes.

When to go

From late spring to autumn, in good weather. In October the beech forest, seen from above, turns red and yellow. The Senda de los Cazadores faces north and can hold snow or ice late: the Góriz refuge publishes the condition of this path and other valley routes on its website. In its update of 27 October 2026 it listed it as snow-free.

How to get to La Pradera

At Easter, the May long weekend, in summer and on several autumn weekends you go up on the Torla bus: free parking next to the visitor centre, €6 return, no booking. In 2026 the first bus left at 6:00 (at 7:00 from October). The rest of the year you drive to La Pradera.

With 7 hours of walking, catch one of the first buses. If you go in autumn with the 7:00 timetable, work out the daylight and the time of the last bus down carefully.

Water and food

Bring all your water and food. On the route there are no services; only the restaurant at La Pradera at the start and end, where the ticket for the bus down is sold in cash. Do the climb first thing: the Senda de los Cazadores is the hardest part and is best done before the heat.

With a dog and if the weather changes

Dogs may go, always on a lead, as throughout the Park. In a storm, the faja is an exposed place: if you see the weather turning before going up, change plan and do the Cola de Caballo along the valley floor. If it catches you up there, continue along the faja to Soaso and go down along the valley floor; do not return by the Senda de los Cazadores.