What unforgettable days we have had so far! We left the Chistau Valley behind and set course for the mighty Valley of Ordesa. A journey full of surprises, special encounters, and breathtaking nature.
The rich history of Boltaña
On the way to our new destination, we passed the characteristic old mountain village of Boltaña. Naturally, we couldn’t just drive past this! We decided to stretch our legs and climbed up to the ruins of the old castle. Close to the Ermita de Santa Lucía, we enjoyed an incredible panoramic view of the historic village center and the rugged mountains at the unique stone pyramid monument.
From the castle hill, you look straight down on the remains of the old fortress walls and foundations. The contrast between the grey, overgrown stones and the bright green of the valley is truly stunning. When you stand there among the centuries-old ruins and look out over the compact stone houses and the church tower in the distance, you really feel the rich history of this place. A perfect photo opportunity!
A spontaneous encounter on the terrace
After the descent, we felt it was high time for a drink on a terrace in the village. There, we had an incredibly fun, spontaneous encounter! We struck up a conversation with Frans & Lucienne and their loyal dog Dorus. Frans has just taken early retirement, and together they are making a fantastic road trip in their camper that started back in mid-April. Via Italy, they had since ended up at this beautiful spot.
Cozy under the parasol on the village square, we enjoyed this well-deserved moment of rest. Travelers through and through with a wonderful story. Traveling in a camper is truly a delightful way to discover the world!
Frans & Lucienne (and Dorus!), if you are reading this: it was so much fun meeting you! Keep enjoying life and your amazing journey to the fullest!
Face to face with a ghost town
Next, we continued our route through the region and passed a completely deserted village. In the middle of a vast, green lawn, we suddenly found ourselves face to face with the past at the impressive ruins. It is almost surreal to see how nature has completely taken over here; the walls have collapsed, roofs have disappeared, and trees and ivy are now growing right through the old rooms and window frames. A mysterious, but also incredibly photogenic place where time seems to have stood still for decades.
The gate to Ordesa: Torla
As the icing on the cake, we then visited the photogenic mountain village of Torla, the absolute gateway to the Ordesa Gorge. The village looks stunning, nestled against the green hills with the sheer rock walls shooting majestically into the sky in the background. We took a good photo of ourselves amidst these authentic stone streets. What a magnificent, multifaceted day!
Walking in the Green Heart
We left Torla behind and headed deep into the National Park. Between all the impressive car rides, it is of course wonderful to stretch your legs in nature. Time for a quick pose on the shady walking path! With camera in hand, backpack on, and a good sun hat, the shutter button naturally kept clicking non-stop. Every corner offers a new, spectacular view.
We were soon rewarded with an overwhelming panorama over the deep, glacier-shaped valley, with slopes covered in dense, bright green forests as far as the eye can see. Deep in the valley, the Arazas River carves its way through the gorge with an impressive roar. The clear, white-foaming meltwater, winding wildly through the trees, forms a stunning contrast with the tranquility of the mountain landscape. When you stand here and breathe in the fresh mountain air, you truly realize just how immense and pristine nature in the Pyrenees is. This is pure enjoyment!
Tomorrow we are going to Boi and letting ourselves be surprised again!
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