Into the valley of the vultures

Our last morning at Villalangua and we haven’t yet done the local walk, up the valley, following the river, into the forest, past the cliffs where the vultures nest, and up to the ridge top where the path goes down to the next village. Isidoro, our host is very sad to see us go and it has really been marvellous staying in his little hotel.

We set of quite bright and early for us (and Spain). The wind has dropped, it is sunny and I definitely don’t need my new gloves bought specially in Zaragoza because of the cold. In fact, within about half an hour, I have even taken off my jacket. This is a spectacular walk up past the cliffs where the vultures soar. The rock strata is amazing,

The walk from Villalangua is warmly recommended in some of the reviews of our hotel on bookings.com. This photo, taken from the front door of the hotel, shows the route which climbs up through fields, then through a narrow gap in the cliff line at midslope, past the ruins of an abandoned village and then up to the W-shaped break in the skyline.

We checked out of the hotel, farewelled by our host, Isidoro, dumped our bags in the car, and set off. The wind had dropped, it was sunny and for the first time in a week, weather suited for hats, not gloves!  And what a great walk!

Climbing through forest on what was once the path between the villages of Villalangua and Salinas Viejo	Approaching the cliff line…

 

… which proves to be dagger-like rock strata only a few metres thick.  Really spectacular with vultures soaring around them.

 

Exploring the ruins of the 15th century church at Salinas Viejo	Then climbing further…

…then the top, with a spectacular view back to Villalangua and beyond to snow capped Pyrenees peaks in the distance

M forgot to mention that on the walk back down, we met two lovely 3rd year geology students from London University. How did we know they were studying geology? Well, the geology pick strapped to the backpack is a bit of a giveaway. Not your usual gear for a Sunday walk in the mountains.

Back at the car, we headed north for the old monastery of San Juan de la Pena, built into a large cave high on a mountain near Jaca. A lovely spot, set in beautiful forest. The high point of the visit was the cloister, decorated by wonderful carvings of Biblical scenes by the unknown Juan de la Pena.

 

The mountain scenery is getting better, with the high Pyrenees looking spectacular.

And so to the village of Torla, gateway to the Ordesa National Park, and THIS is the view from our window. Hee! Hee! Hee!