On Foot In The Pyrenees
Amazing Walking week in the Pyrenees
Ancient forests & medieval villages
Visitors to the region of Pallars Sobirà benefit from its previous isolation: it has seen little development and subsequently retained much of its charm. Home to the dramatic scenery of the Vall d'Aneu, Vall d'Cardos and Vall d'Ferrera and also to the Mata de Valencia - one of the largest fir forests in Europe - this area also offers the best conditions for white water sports in Europe (for beginner and the more experienced alike). We first base ourselves in Esterri d'Aneu, the main point of access into nearby valleys, following pathways leading to 12th century Romanesque churches during the day, and trying out the local cuisine in the evening.
Aigues Tortes NP - Jewel of the Pyrenees
The oldest of all National Parks in Spain, Aigues Tortes is one of Spain's finest and is luckily little known to foreign visitors. Set deep in the heart of the Pyrenees the park boasts dozens of peaks reaching up to 3000m and numerous mountain lakes, formed during glacial activity over 20,000 years ago. The resulting landscape is simply stunning: more than one hundred lakes, numerous rivers and creeks wind their way through Aigues Tortes NP - giving it its name, 'winding waters'.
Hikes in the National Park
We move our base up to Espot from where we can explore the park. Our first hike is to the San Maurici Lake with the unmistakable silhouette of the two Encantats peaks. Later we ascend to the pass beneath the peak of Portarro (2728m). This magnificent viewpoint is the only one in the centre of the Park and offers superb vistas across the whole cirque of mountains. Another trail leads directly from Espot, the gateway to Aigues Tortes, up to the Black Lake, stunningly located at 2000m. This walk is the most challenging but is well worth the effort.
This trip is graded moderate with an average of between 5-6 hours walking per day. Two days are left free to relax or take further walks. We avoid the hottest and most crowded periods of the year.
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Itinerary / Highlights
Trip HighlightsVall D'Aneu - Secluded valley with authentic medieval mountain villages.
Son Del Pi - One of the finest Romanesque churches in the Pyrenees.
Sant Maurici Lake - Serene lake of glacial origin in the heart of the National Park.
Portarró Pass - Stunning views into Western and Eastern half of the park.
Aigues Tortes National Park - Spectacular mountain scenery in the heart of the Pyrenees.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Join tour Barcelona airport and drive to hotel in Esterri d’Aneu
Arrive Barcelona and drive 4 hours to hostel in Esterri d’Aneu.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Day 2: In Esterri; walk in the Vall d’Aneu
The morning begins with a visit to the local village shop to get our picnic. The whole region produces excellent farm cheeses and sausages. We use an old shepard’s trail to start the ascent to Valencia d’Aneu, the first village of the Aneu Valley. Beautiful views across the entire region and the national Park will reward us. We continue through lush forest and meadows steadily up hill until we reach Sorpe, an ancient mountain village where time seems to stand still. We walk via Boren en route to Arreu, an abandoned place of Basque origin and highest point of the day (1,600m). Here we have a picnic lunch and then return by walking along the North Eastern side of the valley. Weather permitting there may be a chance for a swim in the reservoir, before heading back to Esterri via the hills or perhaps the village of Isavarre. The whole valley is one of stunning beauty and sees very few visitors. (approx 5 hours walking, 600m ascent; distance 13km).
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3: In Esterri; walk to Son del Pi
We leave Esterri by walking in a westerly direction. A steep trail leads up to the village Son del Pi, offering fabulous views across the valley and the mountains. Son is a typical mountain village, formerly inhabited by up to 400 people of whom only 10 remain as permanent residents. It is renowned for it’s fine Romanesque church Sant Just with its Lombardic style clock tower, dating from 11th century. We then continue and walk to the higher plains above Son that border the mountain range of Aigues Tortes Park. An area of fir forests and meadows gives home to a recently opened research and educational centre, promoting principles of sustainability in the Pyrenees. After finishing our circular walk we return down to Esterri. (approx 4-5 hours walking, 600m ascent; distance 9km).
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Drive to Espot
We leave in the morning and drive in 4x4 vehicles to our second base, situated in Espot, the Eastern gateway to Aigues Tortes at an altitude of 1,300m. The same vehicles then take us up to the Sant Maurici Lake at 1,950m altitude, one of the emblematic sites in the Pyrenees. Placed amidst rugged mountain ranges of up to 2,900m this lake has it’s own magic with ever changing colours between blue and green. The image of the two Encantats peaks is surely the most stunning in the park. We walk alongside the lake, pass a beautiful waterfall and reach the ‘Mirador’, high above Sant Maurici. From here it’s not to far to get up to the Portarrò Pass (2,465m) which separates the National Park into the Western Vall de Sant Nicolau and the Eastern Vall de Escrita. We picnic here with excellent views across the mountains. Anyone who wishes to stretch themselves, there is the chance to climb the Peak de Portarrò (2,728m), which offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views across the entire National Park due to its central location. Later we descend back to the Sant Maurici lake and take another trail for returning to Espot. (approx 5 hours walking, 550m ascent; distance 10km).
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Free time in Espot
Apart from relaxing in Espot there are plenty of opportunities for additional walks in the park. Alternatively for those who wish to get wet a rewarding day is to take advantage of the nearby Noguera river, one of the best rivers in Europe for activities such as Water Rafting, Kayaking or even Canyoning.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6: In Espot; walk to Estany Negre
Today is perhaps the most challenging walk. From Espot we transfer on 4x4’s to a high plateau at the Estany de Lladres lake. From here it’s another 300m ascent until we finally reach the Estany Negre (Black Lake) at 2,320 m altitude. There is an abundance of Alpine flora along our itinerary and a slight chance we may see eagles or vultures. Strong regulations in the Park have helped to keep a great deal of original fauna alive. The Refuge J.Mª Blanc nearby offers the chance to get some hot food and a cup of tea. We take time to admire the stunning scenery with several lakes cramped into the different plateaus, overlooked by the Pic de Peguera (2,942m). Later we return back down to Espot on a trail leading through forest. (approx 6 hours walking, 350m ascent and 1,000m descent; distance 11km).
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7: In Espot; Free day
You have the chance to explore more of the National Park at your own pace. Access from Espot is easy and a range of itineraries can be recommended, for example a walk into the Monestero valley along the Western side of the Encantats peaks, or an ancient trail that goes through lush forests down to the medieval village Escalò.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Return to Barcelona
We drive to Barcelona airport where tour ends.
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