Walking Week In The Pyrenees

Arrive Barcelona airport, transfer 4 hours to Esterri d’Aneu and check-in at hotel. This mountain village is made up of a network of narrow streets and small squares with an interesting facade of a 15th Century church.

Overnight Standard Hotel

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 Included meals: Breakfast

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 Included meals: Breakfast

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 Included meals: Breakfast

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 Included meals: Breakfast

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 Included meals: Breakfast

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 Included meals: Breakfast

After breakfast we drive to Barcelona Airport where the tour ends. If you are staying on you may wish to explore this fascinating city with its many attractions such as 'La Boqueria' food market, Las Ramblas boulevard lined with bars and restaurants, not to mention the many incredible architectural works of Antoni Gaudi.

Included meals: Breakfast