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ON FOOT IN THE PYRENEES

Trip code:

 ex-py

Trip length:

 8 days

Group size:

 Maximum 16

Transportation:

 Bus, on foot, jeep.

Trip Overview

Visitors to the region of Pallars Sobirà benefit from its previous isolation, subsequently it has seen little development and 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 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 excellent local cuisine in the evening.

Despite being the oldest of all National Parks in Spain it’s still surprisingly little known to foreign visitors. The mountains of the park are comprised of dozens of peaks reaching up to 3000m, formed during glacial activities lasting up until 20,000 years ago. Today, as a result of these activities, we can see what it is that makes the whole area so unique - more than one hundred lakes and numerous rivers and creeks wind their way through Aigues Tortes NP - giving it its name - ’winding waters’.

During our first hike into the heart of the Park we walk along the serene San Maurici Lake with the unmistakable silhouette of the two Encantats peaks behind it. Later we ascend up 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.

A two centre trip offering the very best of the Catalan Pyrenees. The grading is moderate to slightly strenuous with average walking time between 5-6 hours a day. Two days are left free to relax or take further walks. We avoid the hottest and most crowded periods of the year.

Itinerary & Departure Dates

Day 1 - Join tour Barcelona; drive to Esterri d’Aneu Arrive Barcelona and Drive to hostel in Esterri d’Aneu. 4 nights hostel with breakfast. H+.

Day 2 - 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 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. From now on it’s through lush forest and meadows steadily up hill until we reach Sorpe, an untouched mountain village where time seems to stand still. We continue
via Boren up 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 serene reservoir, before heading back to Esterri via Isavarre. The whole valley is one of the last untouched regions in the Catalan Pyrenees and sees very few visitors. (approx 5 hours walking, 600m ascent).

Day 3 - 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 aspermanent 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).

Day 4 - Optional whitewater rafting or relaxing This day gives you the chance to choose whatever you like to do. Apart from relaxing in the village there are plenty of opportunities for additional walks, e.g. to the Gerber Lake on the Northern side of Aigues Tortes. A very rewarding day is to take advantage of the Noguera river that runs through Esterri and soon after becomes the best river to be found in Europe for activities like White Water Rafting, Kayaking or even Canyoning.


 Day 5 - Walk to Sant Maurici Lake and Portarrò 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 mblematic
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 along 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). 3 nights hotel with breakfast. H+.

Day 6 - Walk to Estany Negre. Today is 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 of 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 we hope to see marmots, 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).

Day 7 - 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.

Day 8 - Return to Barcelona. We drive to Barcelona airport where tour ends.

See below for departure dates

Accommodations

Hotels/Pensions (7 nights).

Meals

7 continental breakfasts included.

Departure Dates

29 May - 05 June
05 June - 12 June
12 June - 19 June
19 June - 26 June
26 June - 03 July
03 July - 10 July
04 September - 11 September
11 September - 18 September
25 September - 02 October

Local Payment $160 CAD (100EUR)

Please contact us for a detailed trip dossier, free brochure, availability and prices.