TRAIL 1
The Chamois Trail: Fir tree forest and Solà d’Espot
Trail: Prat de Pierró Car Park– Estany de Sant Maurici
Access: from Espot along the Sant Maurici road as far as the car park at the entrance to the park.
Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes (one way)
Difficulty: easy route, suitable for anyone who can walk for an hour and a bit. The first 450 m are adapted for the disabled.
Drop:260 m (1.650 – 1.910)
Best time of a year: from April to November
Remarks: a trail that runs through fields and forest, in the lowest part of the National Park: it also enables you to observe signs of the stock breeding activity in the valley, one of the traditional economies of the area. You will find several boards that explain different aspects of the natural and cultural heritage of the valley.
TRAIL 2
Estany de Sant Maurici viewpoint
Trail: Estany de Sant Maurici – Cascada de Ratera – Estany de Ratera – Mirador de l’Estany – Estany de Sant Maurici.
Access: on foot, from the car park at Prat de Pierró, folloving Trail 1, or by public transport from Espot to Lake Sant Maurici.
Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes (circular trail)
Difficulty: easy
Drop: 300 m (1.910 – 2.210)
Best time of a year: from the end of May to the end of October.
Remarks: an ideal trail for getting a general idea of the upper basin of the River Escrita and which enables you to observe spectacular scenery along the entire route dominated by peaks and cut off ridges.
TRAIL 3
Towards Les Agulles d’Amitges (the Amitges Needles)
Trail: Estany de Sant Maurici – Cascada de Ratera – Estany de Ratera -Estanys d’Amitges.
Access: on foot, from the car park at Prat de Pierró, or by public transport from Espot to Lake Sant Maurici.
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (one way)
Difficulty:easy to Lake Ratera, moderate to Lake Amitges.
Drop: 480 m (1.910 – 2.390)
Best time of a year: from mid May to the end of October.
Remarks: classic trail that enables you to enjoy a splendid view over the valleys that surround Sant Maurici lake and to visit the spectacular lake areas of Ratera and Amitges. The Amitges shelter is a good starting point for numerous ascents, including the following peaks: El Pic de Saboredo, El Pic d'Amitges or El Cim del Bassiero, and for crossing towards the Colomèrs cirque, the Saboredo cirque or the Gerber valley, all of which are, however, reserved for experienced mountain climbers.
TRAIL 4
Trail from Sant Maurici to Portarró d’Espot
Trail: Estany de Sant Maurici – Portarró d’Espot
Access: on foot, from the car park at Prat de Pierró, or by public transport from Espot to Lake Sant Maurici.
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (one way)
Difficulty: moderate
Drop:525 m (1.910 – 2.435)
Best time of a year: from June to the end of October.
Remarks: once you have reached Portarró, continue a little further towards the other side, to be able to enjoy the view of lakes Llong and Redó. If you have enough time and energy, you can finish the trail by climbing to el Pic de Portarróo (2.736 m) up a steep grassy ramp, which will take you to the top in 45 minutes.
TRAIL 5
Peguera Valley– Estany Negre
Trail: Espot – Estany Negre de Peguera
Access: from Espot along the old path to Estany Negre (coinciding with the GR 11-20): 3 h 30 min. (anada)
Time: 3 hours and 30 minutes (one way)
Dificultat: itinerari de dificultat moderada amb forts pendents al començament i al final del recorregut.
Drop: 1.022 m (1.310 – 2.332)
Best time of a year: from June to the end of October.
Remarks: an essential route for everyone who wants to get to know the eastern sector of the National Park in all its magnitude. An impressive set oh high mountain lakes, wich includes Estany Negre, the deepest in the Park (117 m). Near the lake there is the Josep M. Blanch shelter, which is manned during the busiest months.
TRAIL 6
The Fir Tree Trail: Mata and Gerdar
Trail: Bosc del Gerdar (Callau Car Park) – Plans de Breviari – Callau Car Park.
Access: from Esterri d’Àneu, along the Bonaigua mountain pass road (C-28) and the branch that goes towards Gerdar Forest, going past the shelter of the same name.
Time: 3 hours (there and back)
Difficulty: easy to moderate, due to the steep slope of the trail.
Drop: 340 m. (1.560 – 1.800)
Best time of a year: from June to October.
Remarks: a trail that enables you to go into the most significant fir tree forest in the Iberian Península: the Mata de València d'Àneu.
TRAIL 7
The Gerber valley
Trail: Car Park of Clot Gran (Peülla Ski lift) – Estany Gerber
Access: from Esterri d'Àneu along the Bonaigua mountain pass road (C-28) as far as the car park about 2 km from the Mare de Déu de les Ares hermitage
Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes. (one way)
Difficulty: easy, the path starts at a good altitude and therefore facilitates access at the level of the base of the Gerber valley.
Drop: 230 m ( 1.920 – 2.150)
Best time of a year: from June to October.
Remarks: a trail that is highly suitable for observing the phenomena produced by glacial erosion. Dont't miss the Salt de Comials waterfall, which descends near the Mare de Déu de les Ares chapel. |
