| Faja Racon & Faja Canarellos Route |
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| Faja Racon & Faja Canarellos   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Huesca/Aragon, Spain, Europe Route Type: Hiking Season: Summer, Fall Time Required: Most of a day Difficulty: See text.
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| Page By: ojo Created/Edited: Aug 17, 2011 / Aug 17, 2011 Object ID: 738266 Hits: 573 Loading... Page Score: 87.62% - 9 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Circular Route in the Ordesa Cañon on the Faja Racon & the Faja Canarellos.  On the Faja Racon with first views of the Cotatuero waterfall.
There are of course some wonderful peaks to reach from the Ordesa Valley, Monte Perdido being perhaps the most visited and most well-known, but the hiking options are also extensive and go from easy to strenuous. Among the classic hikes are the Faja Pelay reached by the Senda de los Cazadores or the exciting very-exposed La Faja de las Flores (only for experienced and properly-equipped mountaineers).
This faja route is a great taster of the area. It starts in the primary access point in Spain for Ordesa - the village of Torla and the easy-to-access La Pradera de Ordesa (see below for access and parking information). Rather than the circuit, if you're short on time just one of the fajas (under 4 hours) still makes for a great hike.
One meaning of “Faja” is: “corset”: a discriptive way of describing these kinds of footpaths. The narrow, horizontal paths that hug steep rocky walls are often hundreds of metres above the valley floor. In the adjacent valley of Pineta you’ll find the Faja Tormosa, longer and slightly more serious than these. In both cases there is some ascsent to reach the actual faja section.
Part of this route (Faja Canarellos) is described in the current edition (2010) of Ciceron Press’s “Walks and Climbs in the Pyrenees” by Kev Reynolds - one of just seven routes he has chosen for the Ordesa section of the guidebook.
SIGNPOSTING. This route is marked with traditional park green signs at the start and at various junctions.
HIGHLIGHTS Just some of many: The Circo de Carriata and the impressive Tozal del Mallo (a hard-walk summit and a rock face with challening climbing routes) – La Cascada de Cotatuero: a wonderful long waterfall, the highest in the valley – views of the Circo de Cotatuero where the Faja de las Flores is hidden – rock walls, forests and even tiny pastures. The day can be finished in style with visits to various “miradores” or look-out places over some fantastic cascades of the River Arazas including The Cascade de Arripas (1,400m altitude) and the Cascade del Estrecho (1,480m).
Cascada de Cotatuero. |
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Faja Racon. |
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Faja Canarellos. |
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Faja Racon. |
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Mondarruego from Faja Canarellos. |
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View from the Faja Canarellos across at where the Faja Racon runs along the south face of Mondearruego with views beyond of Sierra de Tendenera and Otal. |
When to Walk & Type of Terrain  Where the two Fajas join - at the Cotatuero waterfall. Viewed from the other side of the valley on Punta Acuta - high point of the Sierra de Cutas. On the horizon, the big peaks of the Monte Perdido massif.
Bear in mind that the path doesn't exceed an altitude of 1,800m. Start walking early in the day to avoid accessive heat. You will find some sections of the path in shade – (just where in early or late season you may find ice!). Rainy days should be avoided as rocky sections of path could be unsafe or at least difficult to cross if wet or if there is any ice/snow on the path. If in doubt about the conditions of the route you should ask at the Information Centre in Torla or in La Pradera or in the Goriz Refuge if you are staying there.
I have read that people who suffer from vertigo should avoid this route. With that in mind, I’ve tried to show in the accompanying photos the kind of terrain you’ll encounter. I've also read that Canarellos is more exposed that the Faja Pelay. From personal experience, walking in good weather, there are only a couple of places that need extra care. Read the route text below about the "clavija" (section of route protected with a chain) on Faja Canarellos.
On the trail (Racon). |
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On the trail (Canarellos). |
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Where to find up-to-date Weather & Conditions informationA very useful new (summer 2011) addition to the Albergues y Refugios de Aragón website is up-to-date information on conditions (snow or no snow) and weather. This is also the site for booking on-line, available for most of the Spanish refuges. Look for the button ESTADO DE LAS RUTAS (conditions of routes) and DATOS METEOROLOGICOS EN LOS REFUGIOS (weather).
Click here for a direct link to the Goriz Refuge for information on current snow conditions on Monte Perdido, Faja Pelay etc. This page does not mention the Fajas Racon & Canarellos, but will give an idea of the general conditions in the park. If the conditions on the Faja Pelay show snow, you can assume that there is also snow on the Fajas Racon & Canarellos. The Route  Pencil outline of the route (not to be used in place of a good map!)  Where the Fajas join. Typical signposting in the Ordesa National Park. TECHNICAL DETAILS
| TIMING |
ASCENT GAIN/LOSS |
DISTANCE |
DIFFICULTY |
| 5 HOURS 30 MINUTES APROX |
500m |
approx 20 KM |
SEE TEXT |
Minimum Altitude: 1.300m (La Pradera de Ordesa). Maximum Altitude: 1.850m aprox. (Faja Racón).
ROUTE DESCRIPTION: From the car park (La Pradera), head back down the road (direccion Torla) 5 minutes to a sign on the right by an old building: Casa Olivan (disused information centre). Follow the path up through trees in the direction of: Faja Racón – Tozal de Mallo – Circo de Carriata.
After about 1 hour and 500m of ascent you come to a little hut and a few minutes later, out of the trees, you have fine views of Tozal del Mallo and Rincón de Carriata (Carriata Circle). We turn right here following the sign to Faja Racón y Clavijas de Cotatuero.
A little more ascent and we’re on the faja itself. With minor ascents and descents the path weaves its way around sheer rock walls, with views out west (now behind us) to Tendenera and Otal (Panticosa area) and down into the pine-clad Ordesa Valley, walking now in full sun, now in shade. You may find places were you have to cross (with care!) damp rock, where water appears to be seeping out of the rock face. For around 1h 30m follow the obivous path. Once the long, thin waterfall of the Cascada de Cotatuero appears ahead the path will soon reach a junction.
2h 30m approx. At a sign indicating an ascending path for the Clavijas de Cotatuero, follow the path DOWN - direccion La Pradera. (The Clavijas route is serious country, only for the experienced – and correctly equipped – mountaineers). Shortly we reach a little hut and a signpost, indicating the Faja Canarellos. At this crossing we could continue down to La Pradera. To return to the carpark, turn right when you reach the wide track).
To continue on the Faja Canarellos (or Petazales on some maps) we turn left. With 2 hours or more still ahead of us, follow the sign and cross a metal bridge. Head up a short section of path to reach the Faja Canarellos. Fine views towards the Circo de Cotatuero. You may be able to see folk on the protected section of the clavijas, high up to the left of the waterfall. The path continues between rocky sections and wooded sections with great views. We walk for about an hour, gradually descending into the Bosque de las Hayas (wood).
 Typical terrain on Racon.  Negotiating a delicate section on Faja Racon.
One section along this route is protected with a few metres of cable. This section in mid summer is possible to pass un-noticed (personal experience). The cable is protection against a steep drop into the Barranco de la Ollas to the right of the path. Possibly in summer the undergrowth can mask the drop to the right, but the path is very solid and not excesively narrow.
Past the cable, hike up a giant boulder and circle the barranco. Later comes some surprising green pastures and frondy woodland and a couple of (in late june) dry steams to cross. Generally descending through woodland, the path reaches a wide path/track - the GR11 long distance footpath - which runs between La Pradera and the Circo de Soaso. This path is the classic route to the Goriz Refuge and the Cola de Caballo waterfall.
Here you could turn left and head up that way, though it’s a good hour and a half more to get to the pastures above and to reach the waterfall. To complete our circuit, turn right and follow the path down to the carpark in about an hour.
Take time to visit the waterfalls on the way down. Short detours from the path (signed) take you to fine vantage points over the river and you’ll find shady spots to picnic, or to ease tired feet, to the sound of cool, cascading water.
TO DO ONE FAJA ONLY: If you are short of time, you could do one section only. For this, perhaps the best option is to take a path that meets the two fajas in the middle and then decide if you want to turn left (for Racón) or right (for Canarellos). Start in the carpark and head east, to the end of La Pradera where you’ll find a few maps and signposts. Take the path to Cola de Caballo and GR11. Head up (gentle ascent) on a wide stoney path with the river on your right. You will eventually reach a monument (el Pilar) with a plaque about Monte Perdido (photo). To the left you will find a signpost for Clavijas de Cotatuero and Fajas Racón & Canarellos. Follow this path up through trees, avoiding any smaller routes off left or right of the main path. I have not done this myself, but I believe it is clearly marked and appears to be the usual start to either of the Fajas as well as to reach the Circo de Cotatuero. You will reach a wooden hut and a junction after about 50 minutes. Here you can turn right to cross the bridge and start the Faja Canarellos. For the Faja Racón, continue upwards for a few more zigzags until another junction. Leave the ascending path right signed to Brecha Rolando/Clavijas de Cotatuero and turn left on to the Faja Racon.
Racón: Follow the level path for an hour and a half to the Circo de Carriata where you will turn left at a signpost to start the steep descent through the trees to the road below. Turn left and return to the carpark. Allow 3h 30m (walking time only) for the complete circuit.
Canarellos: Cross the bridge and continue with the main description above. (Allow 3h 30m of walking time for the complete circuit).Getting to OrdesaSEE THE MAIN ORDESA CAÑON PAGE FOR "HOW TO GET THERE".
 La Pradera (carpark) in early spring.
IN SUMMER YOU WILL NEED TO LEAVE YOUR CAR IN THE
VILLAGE OF TORLA AND TAKE THE PUBLIC BUS UP TO LA PRADERA,
where the route starts.
Timetable & Prices can be found hereMaps and Further Reading.PRAMES (1:40.000) or Ed. ALPINA (1:25.000) are suitable maps for the area. You can also find smaller "tourist" maps by PRAMES. Names can vary from map to map.
You can also find information on Ordesa in:
"The Rough Guide to Spain".
"Northern Spain" a Footpaths Guide by Andy Symington.
"Walking in Spain" by Lonely Planet.
The Cicerone Guide "Walks and Climbs in the Pyrenees" by Kev Reynolds details the Faja Canarellos as one of six hikes selected for the Ordesa section of the book.Other (non-hiking) things to do & places to see in and around Torla / OrdesaThis could be a very extensive list. For the moment, one suggestion for a "day off":
The Sierra de Cutas forms the opposite walls of the Ordesa Valley and is a superb lookout point across at where the Faja Racon & Faja Canarellos run. Along the crest, there are various "miradores" or look out points which can be taken in without putting your walking boots on as part of a Guided Tour: Los Miradores de Ordesa in a 4x4 vehichle, starting either the village of Torla or the village of Nerin.
I'm pleased to say that for purists there are also various ways to reach these points on foot, including on one route a bit of scrambling. From Torla you can fairly easily hike up (some 1,200m) on a PR trail (local footpath) that starts near the bridge below Torla in about 3 hours. More information shortly.
Needless to say, this easy-to-reach view point offers us difficult-to-describe views. However you get to Punta Acuta or the Sierra de Cutas miradores, it's a superb way to get an over-view of the unique Ordesa. Images
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Pirineos: Ordesa - Monte Perdido > Cañón de Ordesa > Faja Racon & Faja Canarellos
