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The Monte Perdido mountain is a part of the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, in the west of the Pyrenees. There are more than 1500 species of flowers and more than 200 species of birds and mammals with Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture) and its 3 meter wingspan being most magnificent representative of the diverse wild life in the area. The nature in the Pyrenees is breathtaking. Steep climbs, beautiful valleys, waterfalls, blue lakes.

The Cirque de Gavarnie is a famous example of a cirque in the central Pyrenees, in the Pyrenees National Park. Two interesting features of the cirque are La Brèche de Roland (Aragonese Breca Roldán, Spanish Brecha de Rolando), an impressive natural gap, 40 m across and 100 m high, at an altitude of 2804 m in the steep cliffs of the Cirque de Gavarnie and Gavarnie Falls (also known as Grande Cascade de Gavarnie), the tallest waterfall in France with two tiers and total drop of 1384 feet (422 meters). Another (albeit less glorious) place to explore is Cirque d'Estaubé located 4 km to the east from the Cirque de Gavarnie

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Monte Perdido can be accessed from France; although the French route is much more difficult than the one from Spain. Typical itinerary to the area of Monte Perdido starts with arriving (presumably from Madrid) to Zaragoza, the fifth largest city in Spain and the autonomous community of Aragon.

From Zaragoza you travel to Huesca, Sabiñánigo and finally to Panticosa, a small town (with population about 900 people) already close to your final destination. You can make Panticosa your base for various day trips and a hike/climb to Mount Perdido. Another option for a base is Torla, a tiny town and a gateway to the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in the valley of Ordesa, and to Valle de Broto.
The path to the top of the mountain goes through the Ordesa Valley and includes the Faja de las Flores - by some accounts the most beautiful path in Europe. You goal is to reach Refugio Goriz located beneath the Mount Perdido. The top of the mounting is within your reach from Refugio Goriz.

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It actually depends on your goal. For most visitors that want ti enjoy mountains and nature the best time is summer. However, if you are looking for challenges and conquering the Monte Perdido top, you will decide on winter.

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- In Panticosa: Hotel Casa Morlans (San Miguel, s/n 22661 Panticosa (Huesca), Spain) - 59 rooms, rates are around €50 - €60. The nearest ski lift lies some 250 m from the hotel and offers ideal access to the nearby mountain slopes. Hotel's Web site: http://www.casamorlans.com, email: info@casamorlans.com, phone: (+34) 974 48 70 57
- In Torla: Hotel Bellavista (22376 Torla (Huesca), Spain) - 12 rooms, €40 - €60. Located near main entrance to the National Park of Ordesa and Monte Perdido. Hotel's Web site: http://www.bellavistaordesa.com, email: info@bellavistaordesa.com, phone: (+34) 974 486 153

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Hiking, skiing, mountain climbing and traditional (trad) climbing are main outdoor activities in around Mount Perdido in the Pyrenees, Spain. Climbing Mount Perdido requires skills and can be recommended to people with enough mountain experience and physical fitness. It can be especially dangerous in winter time with show and ice that require special equipment and additional training. If you do not feel up to the challenge, you can enjoy views on Mount Perdido from below and visit the magnificent countryside surrounding this mountain range.

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You can use Panticosa as a base for hikes and trips in the area. For example, from Panticosa you can get to Sallent de Gallego and trail to Refugio Respomuso located in the Circo de Piedrafita. The trail to Respomuso is along the Rio Aguas Limpias (Clean Water River). You can take trip to the summit of Tebberai (2916m) and visit Banos de Panticosa.

One of the options you may have is to join a Mount Perdido guided tour. There are a number of them available (search Internet for "Mount Perdido guided tour." The benefits of guided tours include transportation and hotel arrangements as well as hiking and climbing under the guidance of persons experienced in the area. Guided tour prices as well as their duration can vary - expect to pay around $120 - $140 per tour/day.

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Tags: Aragon; Banos de Panticosa; Breca Roldan; Brecha de Rolando; Circo de Piedrafita; Cirque de Gavarnie; Cirque dEstaube; Clean Water River; Faja de las Flores; Huesca; La Breche de Roland; Monte Perdido; Mont Perdu; Ordesa Valley; Panticosa; Pic du Mabore; Pico Cilindro; Pico Soum du Ramond; Pyrenees (3); Refugio Goriz; Refugio Respomuso; Rio Aguas Limpias; Sabinanigo; Sallent de Gallego; Spain (6); Tebberai; Torla; Zaragoza

Web Sites:   Hotel BellaVista en Parque nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido (Huesca)
  Hotel Casa Morlans, Panticosa, Pirineos, Esqui, Aragon, Vacaciones
  Monte Perdido .com

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