The best of this route
- Bucolic paths and dreamy peaks
- Peguera is the highest and most significant peak in this region of Sant Maurici.
- The spectacular Monestero valley
- Its glacial lakes (ibones) and relief of glacial origin
Introduction:
The Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park is the only park of its category in Catalonia. Located in the northwestern end of Catalonia, in the Central Pyrenees, its area is distributed among four regions: Pallars Jussà, Pallars Sobirà, Alta Ribagorça, and Val d’Aran. The park has two distinct parts: the western area, Aigüestortes, accessible from the Boí Valley, and the eastern area, with Sant Maurici Lake and the Encantats, accessible from Espot.
Hikers and mountain lovers will encounter a paradise, an incredible place where they can embark on all kinds of routes and enjoy the landscape of the high mountains, vegetation, and the water from over 200 glacial lakes (ibones), as well as waterfalls and streams. The Pico de Peguera, with almost 3,000 meters, is one of the most special ones.
The valley of Espot is known for L’estany de Sant Maurici and the sharp peaks of Els Encantats, one of the most photographed scenes by all visitors to the valley. If you want to walk for a while, you can hike up towards the ibones of Ratera and Amitges, where the forest disappears, and we immerse ourselves in the true high mountains. A less frequented valley, with a steep incline from Espot, allows you to climb up to the Estany Negre de Peguera.
Join us and discover this jewel of the Pyrenees. Whether hiking or snowshoeing in winter, the beauty of the place will evoke great emotions.
- Lodging at the J.M. Blanc guarded refuge with half board
- Lodging at the Ernest Mallafré guarded refuge with half board
- Amaroq Explorers guide
- The activities according to the program
- Tents, kitchen equipment, and first aid
- Liability and accident insurance
- Travel from/to Espot
- Personal expenses such as beverages...
- Personal equipment/clothing. Contact us for advice.
- All services not specified in 'included
-
Departure from the village of Espot, towards the Josep Maria Blanc refuge. From the Feners bridge over the Peguera river, the starting point of our trekking, we can observe the Torre dels Moros (La Torreta), a well-preserved medieval watchtower. We will follow the trail along the waters of the Peguera river, upstream. A little further, a trail descends to the left, to a gorge, where the Sulfur spring is located, which springs warm with a characteristic smell and color.
The path continues with a steep ascent among pine trees, crossing the river via the Salvador bridge. The landscape is beautiful and shady. We will cross the river again and continue, this time uphill through sunny meadows.
Each time the view becomes more extensive. The path brings us closer to the torrent de la Font Grossa, with its short waterfalls. It is usually a good place to stock up on water. From here, the path ascends between winding curves until it exits the forest. We will continue above a log bridge, crossing an extensive area that is usually completely waterlogged.
Later, our path will lead us to a forest track. We will continue along the track, which ascends steeply. To the left, among the clearings of the forest, we will encounter the beautiful ibones de Trescuro, surrounded by pines and large expanses of aquatic vegetation.
Afterwards, we will arrive at the pleta de les Romes, which is the gateway to the upper Peguera valley, once we have gained the granite wall that serves as its base. The track continues to wind around this granite area, and we will leave the dam located at the northeast end of Estany Tort de Peguera on our right. Then we will leave the track that heads towards Estany Negre, to take the trail that leads us to the Josep Maria Blanc refuge (2,350 m).
(3 h)
Dinner and accommodation at the refuge.
-
From the refuge, we will head towards Estany de la Cabana, then Estany de la Coveta at 2,400 m, in a general westward direction, and continue along the coma del Peguera, in a gentle ascent to Estany Petit de Peguera.
We will begin to ascend in a northwesterly direction, avoiding the scree that extends at the foot of Pico de Monastero. We will leave Estany Gran de Peguera to our left, much further below, and finally reach the wide Collado de Monastero (2,715 m).
From now on, we will continue along the path that skirts the slopes of the north ridge of Peguera. Then, we will follow a slope with a lot of loose stones until we reach the ridge, where we will scramble over granite blocks for the last meters (steps of II and some isolated ones of III), airy but very safe, and above all, lots of fun!
In about 3 hours from the refuge, we will reach the summit of Peguera (2,983 m).
Then, we will descend again to the Collado de Monastero, to descend afterwards to the valley of the same name. We will arrive amidst meadows, and forests of black pine and rhododendron, at Estany de Monastero, and then to the Fangassals de Monastero, a landscape of great beauty. Finally, we will arrive at Estany de Sant Maurici, with views of Encantats and the Ernest Mallafré refuge (1,950 m) (3.5 h from the col).
Dinner and accommodation at the refuge.
-
It’s a simple journey that can be extended as much as we want, with different options such as a walk around Sant Maurici or a visit to the Ratera waterfall.
The itinerary continues through the valley of the Escrita river, passing through pastures and forests of black pine, firs, birches, and service trees. It allows glimpses of the valley’s livestock activity, and along the way, you can see signs about the flora and fauna. Also, at the “Pont de Pallers” cabin, you can visit an exhibition about the traditional exploitation of the forest in these Pyrenean valleys.
The route, with about 260 meters of elevation gain, can be completed in about 2 hours.
The program may change depending on weather conditions, terrain (snow and ice in the mountain passes), the condition of the group, and decisions made by the guide at each moment.
