Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park

Ordesa y Monte Perdido is a national park in Spain, in the province of Huesc. The park was founded in 1918 according to a Royal Decree declaring the Ordesa Valley a national park. At that time, its territory occupied 21 ^km2, but in 1982 the park was increased to 156 ^km2 and received its current name. Ordesa y Monte Perdido is adjacent to the French Pyrenees National Park, forming a huge protected area in which a large number of tourist routes have been laid. Approximately 600,000 people visit the park annually.

The park is a typical example of the natural complexes of the Pyrenees - here you can meet gorges (Ordesa and Anicio canyons, Desfiladero de las Cambras, Escuain and Anisclo, Fon Blanca), picturesque mountains (Las Tres Sorores, Refugio Goris, Monte Perdido), lakes, Carriata waterfalls, Colet de Caballoy Cotatuero. The foothills of the mountains are covered with forests of poplar and beech, and mixed forests begin above. In the alpine meadows at an altitude of 1500-3000 meters, many endemics grow, among them there is an edelweiss, which is a symbol of the National Park. In total, the flora of the park includes more than 1300 plant species.

Wildlife in Ordesa y Monte Perdido

The wildlife here is so rich that it is necessary to periodically shoot animals to maintain the balance of the ecosystem. In Ordesa y Monte Perdido Park, representatives of both Mediterranean and continental Europe meet. Among them you can find wild boars, marmots, water moles, muskrats, Pyrenean chamois. In total, there are 68 species of birds in the park (if 120 are counted along with those arriving for the winter), 38 species of mammals, 5 species of fish and amphibians, as well as 8 species of reptiles. In the park, forests cover 20% of the territory in which chamois, roe deer, deer, brown bears, foxes, nutria, squirrels and martens can be found. Of the amphibians, it is worth noting the Pyrenean newt, which lives only in the purest water.

There are no highways in Ordesa y Monte Perdido Park, and some places can only be reached using alpine equipment. In summer, you can meet many mountain walkers who want to see the pristine nature. The main entrance is located in the town of Torlo, and there is also an information center where you can get a route map.

Many famous people loved these places - Soler the First Santalo, Luciano Briet or Lucas Mayada and helped to ensure that the park received national status.