Pico Mondoto: A Unique Hike Near Ordesa Valley
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Not only does Spain have some of the best and most unique cuisine in the world, but it also has amazing nature. That’s when I go to looking into the Pyrenees which led me to Ordesa Valley and thus finding Pico Mondoto.
This hike isn’t one of the most popular in the area (we stayed in the town of Broto) but it should be. The views are impeccable and having a smaller crowd vibe is always something I prefer when hiking.
The trailhead is 35 minutes Southeast of Broto, making it an easy day hike. And parking is free!
Hiking to Pico Mondoto is a quick ascent and only took us around two hours to complete. Unless you like to stay at the top for a long time like us. Keep reading for more details!
Why Pico Mondoto is a Hidden Gem
When most people visit this area of Spain to hike, they’ll likely look to do Senda de los Cazadores (Trail of the Hunters).
While I highly suggest you do this trail, it’s often very crowded and requires a bus ticket to enter the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park.
Pico Mondoto doesn’t have nearly the same number of people hiking it, and you can drive straight to the trailhead without further transportation needed.
And did I mention the views into the Añisclo Canyon are incredible?
The Biggest Perk: Smaller Crowds
We only saw a few people on the trail while hiking to Pico Mondoto and a small group of around five people at the top.
The parking along the street seemed semi-full but that didn’t necessarily translate to a lot of people along the trail.
There are hiking group tours that you can take that include this hike and others in the Pyrenees.
The top of the hike is large enough that even if there were double the number of people, we’d still have plenty of room to sit by ourselves and enjoy the scenery.
Pico Mondoto Hike Details
| 🗺️ Trail Name | Pico Mondoto |
|---|---|
| 📍 Location | Nerín, Huesca — Aragón, Spain 🇪🇸 |
| 🏞️ Region | Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park |
| 🚶♂️ Trail Type | Out & Back |
| 📏 Distance | ~9.8 km / 6.1 mi round-trip |
| ⛰️ Elevation Gain | ~893 m / 2,391 ft |
| ⏱️ Time Required | 2-3 hours round-trip |
| 🧭 Difficulty | Moderate 🟠 |
| 🪨 Terrain | Rocky karst landscape, open slopes, loose sections |
| 🌞 Exposure | Full sun ☀️ (little to no shade) |
| 🧴 Best Season | Spring 🌸 & Autumn 🍂 (best visibility, cool temps) |
| 🥾 Trailhead | Nerín Village |
| 🅿️ Parking | Parking on the side of the road in Nerín; may be limited in peak months |
| 💧 Water Sources | Parking on the side of the road in Nerín may be limited in peak months |
| 📸 Highlight View | Canyon rim of Cañón de Añisclo + Monte Perdido Range ⛰️ |
| ⚠️ Hazards | Steep drops near summit 🧗, strong sun ☀️, wind 💨 |
| 🕶️ Recommended Gear | Sun hat 🧢, sunscreen 🧴, water 💧, trekking poles 🥢, camera 📷 |
My Experience Hiking to Pico Mondoto in Ordesa Valley
We started our day at 8 am, made breakfast, packed lunch, and got on our way to Pico Mondoto, a hike I was really looking forward to.
This was our last hike in the Pyrenees before heading to San Sebastian for a few days of relaxation and food.
Driving South to Nerin and Finding Parking
The small town of Nerin is where the trailhead is located. There are a few hotels here and also a church with stunning views of the mountains around.
While the drive here was short (~40 minutes), the roads were winding and might make some people feel a bit nauseous.
There isn’t a traditional parking lot for Pico Mondoto, so we just found a spot along the road next to other people.
Starting the Initial Ascent
The entire trail is pretty open and there won’t be any cover from the sun. This won’t be an issue if you go early in the morning, as we did. This is similar to the first half of the Puertos de Áliva hike later on.
The grade percentage or steepness of the trail is fairly consistent throughout the hike. I’d say maybe the beginning portion was slightly steeper but overall was gradual.
This part of the trail is rockier but eventually turns into more of a dirt trail the closer you get to the top.
Simple Trail Leading to the Peak
The trail to the peak is easy to follow and you can easily see when you take a wrong turn. This trail leads you slightly East/Northeast, where you’ll start to see views on both sides.
Right before the rocky trail turns into more of a dirt path, we passed a small stream of water that was heading down to the town.
I’m not sure if this turns into something bigger in the wetter months but I’d still bring plenty of water for the entire hike.
Reaching Pico Mondoto
After about an hour of hiking, we reached the summit of Pico Mondoto. Thankfully for the majority of the hike we had some cloud cover that kept us cool.
Once we reached the top, the sun came out more and gave us stunning views into the valley below.
We saw one other couple ahead of us on the trail and when we reached the top, there was a small group of around five people there.
The highest point of the peak is one of the first areas you will reach but we kept hiking farther East until we found a more secluded spot to enjoy lunch at.
There were multiple large birds flying in the valley that I presume to be one of the many vulture species that are spotted in this area but I’m not an expert bird watcher.
Things to Know Before Hiking Pico Mondoto
Since this isn’t a very popular hike, there might be some questions that are hard to find the answer to online and that’s why I’m here to help!
How’s the Parking Situation?
We found parking fairly easily along the side of the road. We had to walk about 10 minutes before reaching the trailhead.
If you didn’t rent a car or simply would rather not drive then there are other options like the Monte Perdido Bus.
Best Place to Stay to Visit Ordesa Valley
We stayed in the town of Broto, which is a nice, small, and quaint village located outside the National Park. Below are some of the best hotels in town:
- Hotel Rural El Portón de Murillo: This is one of the best deals in town, with mountain views and a 5-minute walk from the Ara River.
- Hotel de Montaña El Mirador: A little bit further from downtown is this hotel that has stunning rooms if you’re looking to relax.
- Apartamentos Gabarre: This hotel is located right in the heart of downtown and is close to restaurants and the local grocery store.
How Difficult is this Hike?
Overall, the hike to Pico Mondoto is moderate and many fitness levels should find no trouble in completing it.
There is a constant, gradual incline throughout the hike but there are multiple areas in which you can stop to take a breather if need be.
Other Hikes in Ordesa Valley
- Senda de los Cazadores: The most popular hike in Ordesa Valley, which is around 11 miles in its entirety but can be done in smaller sections.
- Via Ferrata de Sorrosal: This is a short waterfall hike right in the town of Broto that has a via ferrata, if that is something you’re interested in.
Final Thoughts
Pico Mondoto was a stunning hike that felt secluded enough for me to enjoy every bit of it. The views were even better than I thought they would be!
This is a nice shorter hike that still offers a lot without taking the time to get inside the main National Park nearby.
You can also choose to do this one first to get you ready for the full 11-12 mile hike inside the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park.
