THE HUESCA PYRENEES WITH THE FAMILY: WHAT TO SEE IN A WEEK?
If you were to ask me what route I would recommend to a family visiting the Pyrenees of Huesca for the first time, I would probably say the area around Ordesa. But there's so much more. After several years of hiking in these mountains, I've compiled this guide to the places I consider essential for an unforgettable week. It's a guide of my recommendations, but there are countless websites on the subject. I'm simply giving you my opinion... which, as I mentioned, is geared towards easy and/or family-friendly hiking.
When my daughter was little and summer vacation meant beach time, I asked you for recommendations on good beaches and you gave them to me. Now it's my turn to return the favor. In recent summers, with climate change, many of you have asked me for advice on spending a week as a family in the Pyrenees of Huesca without dying in the attempt. Let's get to it.
First of all, the Pyrenees are an area where we can practice top-level adventure sports - the province of Huesca was declared in 2025 as the "best adventure tourism destination in the world" - but it is also an area where we can escape the summer heat with the family to do some gentle walks, see landscapes and villages that are well worth visiting, without taking too many risks and without getting bored, and also with very good gastronomy (Michelin-starred restaurants in the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees of Huesca).
First clarification.- There is the Pyrenees but also the Pre-Pyrenees
Before we get down to business, it's worth explaining that in the north of the province of Huesca there are two mountain ranges that run parallel from east to west, stretching from the Mediterranean to the Basque Country, and that they are separated by just over 50 kilometers. The Pre-Pyrenees are located south of the Pyrenees. And both ranges offer things to see and enjoy. If the goal is to escape the heat, the Pyrenees are the better choice. But if adventure tourism is the preferred option, the Pre-Pyrenees are the better choice.
Which routes to take?
To answer this question, the most important thing is to know what you especially want to see. Every route has something that stands out and becomes a priority. I've prepared several routes here in case they're helpful. Another thing to consider is your accommodation. Since you'll be visiting nature, I'd recommend camping, either with your own tent or, if you don't have one, renting bungalows. Kids really enjoy it. There are some fantastic campsites. But other options include hostels, guesthouses, or hotels—there are plenty to choose from.
THE MOUNTAINS OF HUESCA. DIVISION BY ZONES
As a preliminary summary, and always bearing in mind that this information is for couples and families seeking nature and landscapes, I would divide the mountains of Huesca into the following parts, which I classify according to recommendation criteria:
Pyrenees
1st) Ainsa area : N. de Ordesa Park, Pineta, the Balsa Mora de Plan, visit to Saint Lary (France)
2nd) Tena Valley : Panticosa, Lanuza, Piedrafita, Hoz de Jaca zip line, Artouse train (France)
3rd) Benasque : Aneto National Park and its surroundings.
4º) La Jacetania: Jaca, Canfranc, San Juan de la Peña, Ansó, Oza
Pre-Pyrenees
1st) Guara Park and Canyons : Alquezar, Rodellar, Bierge
2nd) Mallos de Riglos.
3º) Nocito and northern area of Guara
4th) The Chinese Wall of Finestres
5º) Congosto de Montrebeig with the Walkways of Montfalcó.
Before we get into the details, it's worth mentioning that the hike to the Montrebeig Gorge and its Montfalcó Footbridges can be considered part of both the Pyrenees and the Pre-Pyrenees. But if you have a spare day and aren't too far from the Canelles Reservoir area, I highly recommend visiting this gorge and especially the footbridges, which are every bit as impressive as the Caminito del Rey, if not more so. Below you'll find all the information about this hike, which you can access directly by clicking on this link or this other link.
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1st) AÍNSA/ORDESA AREA.
THE SOBRARBE PYRENEES. TOWARDS ORDESA AND BEYOND
For family hiking, Ordesa is essential, and therefore if you have never been to the Pyrenees of Huesca, I recommend this area as your first introduction to the Pyrenees.
The Ordesa Valley is the crown jewel of the Pyrenees. Hiking with the family along the trail to the Cola de Caballo waterfall through a forest that offers respite from the summer heat, while witnessing the succession of cascades, is an unparalleled experience. This collection of waterfalls can only be found here. But there's more to life than Ordesa, and from Aínsa, you can reach many other interesting places.
- Where to stay near Aínsa – I would stay in any accommodation in the town of Aínsa. The "Camping Peña Montañesa" is excellent, just 2 kilometers from the center of Aínsa, which is a pleasant walk. But there are also hostels and hotels. The range of accommodation options is extensive; in fact, Aínsa has become an icon of the Pyrenees because it's a very well-preserved medieval town. However, 7 kilometers from Aínsa, there's the Hotel Monasterio de Boltaña , a 5-star spa hotel that sometimes hosts major football teams. And if you'd like to get a little closer to the French border, there are also plenty of hotels in Bielsa.
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1. Forau de Aigualluts (The essential hike)
This is probably the most famous route in the valley and the first one I would recommend to any visitor. From La Besurta, which is accessible by shuttle bus in summer, a comfortable path leads to the Aigualluts meadows, under the impressive silhouette of Aneto.
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| Forau de Aigualluts with the Aneto in the background |
The most striking feature of the route is the Forau de Aigualluts, a huge sinkhole where the waters from the Aneto glacier disappear, only to reappear kilometers later in the Aran Valley, forming the source of the Garonne River.
Round trip details
: Distance: 5-6 km;
Duration: 2-3 hours;
Difficulty: Very easy
2. Villamuerta Lakes
Just a few minutes beyond Aigualluts, these small high-mountain lakes appear. The route crosses alpine meadows and offers magnificent views of the Maladeta massif.
Round trip details
: Distance: 6 km;
Duration: 2 hours;
Difficulty: Easy-moderate.
3. Botanical Trail and Alba Gorges
A perfect route for hot days.
. Round trip details
: Distance: 3 km;
Duration: 1.5 hours;
Difficulty: Very easy.
4. Cerler's Three Waterfalls Route:
One of the most beautiful hikes in the valley. This hike starts from the charming village of Cerler and allows you to visit three waterfalls:
Ardonés Waterfall,
Clotet Waterfall, and
Mascarada Waterfall.
Round trip details
: Distance: 7 km
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy-moderate.
5. Walk through Benasque and Anciles.
Not all excursions have to be in the mountains. This is a pleasant walk that connects Benasque with Anciles, possibly the most beautiful village in the valley. Best of all, this village is home to the Anciles Restaurant, run by two young siblings, Iris Jordán (chef) and Bruno Jordán (waiter), representing the third generation of this business. They have earned a Michelin star, but they aren't chefs in the old-fashioned sense. In this link , you can see Iris Jordán running the Aneto ultramarathon and achieving a good result... and then back to work... the people of Benasque aren't taught about mountains or how to conduct themselves at work; they're born with the wisdom. Just ask the Barrabés family—although poor Juan Carlos has been made a scapegoat against the Prime Minister.Cobblestone streets, stately homes, and traditional Ribagorza architecture make this walk a magnificent option for a peaceful afternoon.Duration: between one and two hours, enough effort to make you hungry.
6. Llanos del Hospital:
A very easy hike.
Several practically flat trails start from the old Benasque Hospital, crossing meadows where it's common to see cows, horses, and marmots.
Ideal for going with young children.
The views of the Maladeta massif are also spectacular.
Duration:
Between one and two hours.
7. Ibón de Batisielles:
For the last day, you can book a slightly longer hike.
The trail crosses one of the most beautiful forests in the Pyrenees before reaching the stunning Ibón de Batisielles.
If the family is used to hiking, this will probably be their favorite hike of the trip.
Details:
Distance: 11 km;
Duration: 4-5 hours;
Difficulty: Moderate.
2.- Ainsa-Pineta Route
3.-Route towards the Benasque Valley
4.- Route through Jacetania-Canfranc-Ansó
4. Route through the Tena Valley
Places that are almost a must-see in the Pre-Pyrenees :
I'm going to talk about this area first because it's the first thing we see when we go to the Pyrenees. The Pre-Pyrenees is a mountain range that runs parallel to the Pyrenees, about 30 or 40 kilometers to the south, with peaks between 1,200 and 2,000 meters high, stretching from Catalonia to Navarre. The Pre-Pyrenees of Huesca have areas of great tourist and natural value, of which I would highlight the Sierra de Guara and its canyons above all. Since it's not the intention of this blog to cover every possible detail, I'm going to briefly mention which areas of the Huesca Pre-Pyrenees I recommend visiting.
- Monastery of San Juan de la Peña
- Rodellar and the Mascún Gorge -
This is a small village, but very popular with canyoners, climbers, and
hikers. It's the heart of the "gorges and canyons of the Sierra de
Guara." Canyoneers come from all over the world. You can hire equipment
and a guide for canyoning; there are options for all levels. If you just
want to do a hike, I recommend "the route to the Losa Mora dolmen and
the abandoned villages." To get there, you have to go down to the Mascún
riverbed from the village of Rodellar and then follow the signs, as
everything is marked. There's no danger.
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- Riglos
- Montrebeig Footbridges
Must-see places in the Pyrenees
- Ordesa
- Jaca and the Canfranc international station
- Panticosa Spa
- Partacua and the Piedrafita lake
- The Moorish Raft in Plan
- Pineta
- Añisclo
- A day in France: Aurthuse train
- Ainsa village
- Benasque and its surroundings
