Hiking Pyrenees Mountains guide service
an example of a 1 week made to measure hike
for you, your couple, family or group. Hiking
Spanish Pyrenees around
Pica d’Estats
peak
Catalonia’s holy Mountain
A 7
days family hike through the Pyrenees mountains
This walk is one of our suggestions for a guided hike. As it is, it's
rather sporty (OK with sporty adolescents) but it can be made easier and cooler
if you're less trained or for families with kids of 7 and older.
An original trail description for small group or family hike combining huts and camping in the wild.
First part long distance trail GR 11 than he classic trail up to Pica d'Estats.
From Pica d'Estats right on the border between Ariege and Spanish Pyrenees
mountains along paths and trails used during Spanish civil war to Lake Romedo
one of the most beautiful of the Spanish Pyrenees. 1 day family hiking trip from lake
to lake and hiking through to Allessandro's Refuge de Certascan
hut (friendly
ward!). from there hiking up Certascan pass along the Pyrenean high level
trail HRP along beautiful wild valleys to Tavascan. An original one week
trekking for yourself, your couple, family or group through the Spanish Pyrenees.
|
|
|
How to
get there?
The
hike starts at Arinsal in Andorra. The easiest way to get there from Barcelona
is to take the bus to Seu d’Urgel. Here switch busses to Viella (Andorra), and in Viella take the bus to Arinsal.
Difficulty :
The equivalent of 4km/h on level ground is an average mountain hiking speed of
300 m of climbing an hour with a 15 kg rucksack on your back.
There
should be no problems for a trained hiker, as long as the weather stays
good and the path is free of snow (until end of June or first half of July
or
even later).
This
itinerary is a beautiful short trek along easy-to-find paths.
Alternative trails along forgotten tracks and passes are certainly wilder,
lonelier and more adventurous but you
need a guide.
Map :
Pica d'Estas
(Editorial Alpina) or Pica d'Estats - Aneto (Institut Cartografic de Catalunya)
|
|
Day 1 : from Arinsal (1466 m) to Refuge J.M. Montfort. (4 ½ hours)
0.00
The red/white well marked GR 11 leaves Arinsal 50m above the Prats
Sobirans Residence. It's a broad path heading NW (left hand side), easy but
quite steep.
1.00
Aigues Juntes. Cross the torrents and continue to follow the GR 11 marks
followng the Coma Pedrosa (Pedrosa valley) up to the pass.
2.05
Coma Pedrosa Pass. A path to the left quits our path to go to the Coma
Perdrosa Refuge, Andorras only guarded refuge. Continue on the GR 11. The
scenery becomes wilder now as it crosses a large pla and goes up steep to the N
to reach
3.20
Estany Negre ( the black pond, 2629 m). The path stays near to the pond,
but in June and early July, when there's still snow, it is best to leave the path as
you could easily glide into the cold pond and never get out again (!). Head NNE
until
3.45
Port de Baiau ( 2757 m). This is the Spanish border and a steep stony
descent to the hut you can see from here now.
4.15
Estany de Baiau the last meters are very steep and it takes at least 15
minutes
to get to the hut.
4.30
Refugi J.M. Monfort (Baiau, 2517m). A free metallic Federacio d’ Entitats
Excursionsistas de Catalunya hut with 9 sleeping places for a total of 18 persons (2
per bench). If crowded FEEC members have priority rights. If it’s to crowded best
to camp near the lake.
|
 |
Day 2 :
from Baiau to Estany d’Estats (6 ¼ hours)
You may
prefer to leave as early as possible (dawn if you sleep in the hut),
hiking under the Spanish sun might be tough.
0.00
Refugi de Baiau
(J.M. Monfort, 2517 m) just continue to follow the red /white marked GR 11 as it
takes you along some beautiful pounds (Estanys d’Ascorbes) trough the
1.00
Pla de Baiau,
(2211 m). Now cross the torrent, follow the marked GR 11 trail further down and cross
1.15
Pla d’Arcalis, and
just follow the red /white GR 11 to
2.10
Pla the Boet,
(1860
m) Here we leave the GR 11 to go to the Refuge de Vall Ferrara to have a drink,
sandwiche or (good!) salad. The guard speaks English well.
2.35
Refugi de Vall Ferrara ,
(1940 m) The unmarked path climbs steeply N to the
3.25
Cap d’Areste (head of Areste),
(2045 m) where it turns W contouring the Serrat d’Areste - quite level and plenty
of wild flowers - up to
4.00
Baranc de Sotlo (Sotlo torent),
(2000 m) Cross it to find nice place to rest under the last trees near
the trail. From here on you can see the Pica d’Estats in front of you. The
path is very clear and goes up in 3 stages along some beautiful warm cascades
due to heating up of the slow flowing water. Take a
bath if you like.
4.30
Pleta de Sotlo, (2150 m). First stage : a marshy large pla collecting waters
coming from some 12 ponds and lakes. The path keeps to the left of the meadow to head
steep up to
5.10
Estany the Sotlo,
(2352 m) Second stage : a large lake known for its chamois (this is a wildlife
protected area). You could camp here but if you intend to climb the peak d’Estats
next day it's preferable to camp at
6.15
Estany d’Estats,
(2471
m.) Third stage. Seek out some beautiful places to set up your tent higher up not
to far from the many torrents enjoying the scenery and observing chamois . Near
the lake it’s quite damp at night.
 |
Day 3 :
Climbing the Pica d’Estats (3144 m) (7 ¼ hours to Baborte hut)
If
the weather is hot it's a good idea to leave early and avoid the heath and (around
15th of August) the incredible number of Catalans that want to climb “their”
peak. If you do not wish to stay for a second night at the lake, head to the Baborte hut.
0.00 Estany d’Estats,
2471 m the path is evident and climbs steeply up to
1.24 port de Sotlo
(the Sotlo pass, 2894 m) Here you can either take the hikers route that
crosses the pass for an incursion in the French Ariege, or opt for the more
difficult climbing route that sticks almost exactly to the border. This
alternative needs some basic knowledge of climbing and ropes.
The normal hiking path goes S down to
1.45 Cometa d’Estats
(
2786 m) where it turns to the right (W). In early summer there’s often a lot
of snow here and simple crampons may be useful. There’s a spring halfway
where the path goes up steeply and joins a yellow marked path coming from
France, follow it up to
2.15 Collade de Riufred
(cold river pass, 2978 m.). For a beautiful view on the Pica d’Estats and
the French Ariege you could climb the Montcalm (3077 m), the Pica d’Estats
French twin at your left hand's side. To the right the path continues to the
the Pica. |
2.44 Pic Verdaquer
(3125 m) . There’s a memorial tablet here dedicated to the catalan poet
Verdaquer and another with a touching poem written by friends of a boy
scout who died here. From Pic Verdaquer its only a few very steep meters
down and up to
2.54 La Pica d’Estats
(3143 m). When the weather is clear there’s a magnificent 360° panorama
here. To the West you can distinguish the Certascans hut, Romedo Lakes, Mont
Roig and many others up to the Maladeta massif.
On
the peak itself several memorial tablets, and of course the Catalan flag,
commemorating important dates of the Catalan combat for sovereignty. There’s
also an Occitan flag - once both sides of the Pyrenees where one country,
speaking an almost identical language, Occitan and Catalan.
Back
the way you came.
5.30 Estany d’Estats
(2471 m). Siesta and further down to Estany Sotlo (2352 m) where the baranc
de Sotlo (Sotlo torrent) cuts the path, about half way round the lake. Take the
smaller trail that follows the torrent up to the right (W) until you reach
6.15 Circ de Sotlo
(2470 m). A chamois area - if you're not to noisy you may see dozens of them.
The cairned trail turns SW steep up to
6.45 Col de Baborte
(2618 m). A cairned path drops down to a suspended valley with some
beautiful wild ponds. Now the path splits (both are ok) end continues to the
7.20 Circ de Baborte
(2440 m) and the unguarded Baborte hut. It’s a free FEEC hut, metallic as
the Baiau hut but orange, 8 benches (16 persons). FEEC members have priority
rights. If the hut is full camp in the circ or beside the beautiful Estany
Baborte further down (2360 m).
|
Day 4 : From Baborte
to Planel de Boavi (Cabana de la Borda)
0.00
Circ de Baborte
(2440 m). The cairned path heads to Coll de Sellente (2585 m) highest point of
today’s hike. Here steeply 250 m down through a wild high valley to the
1.30
ruins of the Sellente
hut (2330 m) bombed by fascists during civil war. From here on the path
gets broader (there was an old mule path to the hut) and in broad serpentine
brings down you to the
2.10
Planell de Santa Pau
(ruins
of an older shepherds summer stay huts and cortals, (2133 m). Just follow the
path further down, at the lower end of the Plannell. It crosses the Riu de
Sellente (Sellente river) and continues winding down. After jumping over the
river again the path becomes part of the river for some 30 m. Further down is a
junction with the cami de Broate (Broate path) coming down from the Broate hut.
Nearby is a beautiful cascade, the Broate fall. The path we follow turns to the
left.
3.25
Riu de Sellente
(1700 m). The bridge doesn’t exist anymore. You’ll have to wade through the
river. The mule path takes us down through a wild forest with plenty of
mushrooms (in September) to another bridge that doesn’t exist anymore.
4.30
Planell de Boavi
(1460
m). There is no need to cross the rive here. A sometimes vague path takes
through meadows and bushes alongside the rive. In September this
is a place to pick mushrooms. You could camp somewhere here or follow the path
up to
|
 |
|
|
4.35
Borda de Boavi.
A stone
bridge crosses the river and follows the stony track for some 50 m. There take the
path going up to the meadow and the cabana de la Borda (1440 m).
Day 5 :
from Borda de Boavi to lake Romedo d’Alt + rest day
(3 hours)
0.00 Cabana de
la Borda de Boavi
(1440 m).
There’s a steep red marked path, old and not always very clear,
starting NW of the hut. It brings you through the woods along the wild Riu
de Certascans to the next higher shepherd’s hut, Cabana de Lluri (1650 m).
The path goes on up to the
1.40 Pista de Romedo
(1960 m) follow this track to the right, it’s an easy walk almost level and
straight to the lower Romedo lake
2.25 Estany Romedo de Baix
(2020 m). You see an iron gate to a tunnel in front of you. The footpath to
the higher Romedo lake starts left of the gate. Indeed, you have to climb a
few meters. Once the climbing done a easy-to-follow path brings you through
the wetlands along riu Romedo to
2.55 Estany Romedo d’Alt
(2132 m) one of Catalonia's most beautiful mountain lakes. There are a
few very nice places to set up your tent for the night and take a rest
before starting your “lake tour” (there are 9 lakes).
|
|
Hiking the Spanish
Pyrenees:
Lake tour around Sarrat de Seno (4 to 5 hours).
From
Romedo d’Alt (2132 m) a cairned trail right hand side (E) of the lake
takes you to Estany de Seno (only some 20 m higher) and further steep
track up to Estany Golax (2200 m) turns to the E to cross a pass from
where you can see Estany Aguiló d’Alt (2247 m). A cairned sheep’s
trail goes down the
Estany Aguiló de Baix (2204 m), futher down to the Laguna d’Aguiló (2050
m) following the Aguiló river down to lake Romedo the Baix ( 2020 m) and coming
up along the path you already know back to Romedo d’Alt (2132 m). Nice
views !
|
|
Day 6 : from Romedo
Lake to Estany de Flamicella
0.00 Romedo
d’Alt
(2132 m).
Take the path left of the lake. It takes you up to the collada de Lluri, turning
to the left down to the pista de Romedo. Some hundred meter down before reaching
the track the path crosses the red marked path coming up towards to the
Certascans hut. Follow that red marked trail up to the right.
1.15
Refugi de Certascans
(2240 m) Alessandro the Catalan guard, is a warm person but doesn’t speak
English (he does speak Spanish and French). He has drinks, good salads and
sandwiches. The cairned path goes up NW to the lake - one of the biggest
mountain lakes of the Pyrenees - then turns W to head for the pass
2.45 Coll
de Certascans
(2680 m). The trail goes W down the valley following the torrents curve to the
SW. If you want to do peak Certascan
click here?
3.25 Estanay
Blau de Gueroso
(2470 m),
follow the cairned some 200 m further down to where it splits, take the
right going W down to a pond and two ruined shepherds huts near the Gueroso
river.
4.00 pond .
Cross the river somewhere. The trail heads up to the Collada de Flamicella, to
the pass you see (NWW) between the Torre del Gueroso peak and Cap de Causes.
Once through the pass enjoy the lovely Flamicella Lake.
|
 |
4.45 Estany de
Flamicella
(2280 m, trouts) .
There’s
plenty of wood here, half wild horses and chamois. A charming place to camp for
your last night in the wild.
Day 7 :
Estany de Flamicella to Tavascan
0.00
Estany de Flamicella
(2280
m). The path down to Tavascan starts at the lake overflow at the S
and follows the mountains bend down to a marshy meadow with a ruined shepherd’s
hut.
0.48
Gueroso river
(2040
m) continue following the path next to the river down to
2.20
bordes de Noarre
(1600m)
and from here further down to Grauss.
3.40
Grauss,
Road to
Tavascan (1190 m) At bordes del Grau, where the road turns, take the old mule
path a nicer way to enter
4.25
Tavascan
(1100
m) Hotels, phone, taxi.
 |
This hike is only an example of
the kind of hikes from 1 week 10 days or 2 weeks made to measure according to your wishes as
a mountain experience for
you, your family, group or team.
Terms :
Basic cost :
145€ per day (1 participant), +50€ a day (2nd participant), + 30€ a day (3rd participant), +10€ a day (next participants) Max. groupsize: 9 participants
Membership : for legal reasons you have to become a member (membershipfee is already included)
Membership conditions
Included : guiding, hiking tents, cookers, sleeping
mats.
Not included: Hut costs, When
staying in huts the guide's costs (board and
lodging) are yours, this is usual.
When needed :
some rucksacks and sleeping bags are available and can be
hired (2€ per overnight each) make
sure to contact Richard in time (now!)
to hear if he's still free for trekking or hiking in the Pyrenees the period you want.
Need
more information? contact Richard,
Practical information : Tips for a lighter Rucksack, how to get to the
Pyrenees, more about us,
click here
|
NB. You need to be free of
dizziness and fear of height a normally good physical
condition, vaccinated against tetanus. Of course helpfulness, a sense of humor
even if bad weather lasts for some days (this can also happen in the southern
Europe).
This website is the
international Pyrenees mountains information website of Vriendenkring Amitié
Européenne asbl a Belgian small is beatifull non profit association.
Our other websites are:
www.pyrenees.be for more
information in French. This website also contains a 2 weeks trail
description, an alternative high route through the French and Andorran
Pyrenees.
Similar information in Dutch about our
Pyrenees house, family holidays, guided treks and extended information on
our mountain retreat is on
www.pyrenees-pyreneeen.be
As you may guess we cannot earn the necessary money to
run our organization, the house, our trekkings and hikes only through
membership fees.
That's why since 2003 we joined in DialoguE, according to The
Wall Street Journal one of the best European language schools, to provide
high level crash courses Dutch for executive managers and the higher
educated.
Richard our former senior benevolent is working full time as
our
employee now.
Richard has a background in Organizational Development,
expertise in learning and personal development strategies (he teaches that
topic at Continuing Studies of Lille II University).
He's fluent in
English, German and French.
Richard loves teaching his mother tongue in an
efficient one to one setting and is a real expert in client- and dialogue centered learning.
Richard commits himself fully in teaching you Dutch even
starting from scratch in an amazing minimum time.
click here on
this site.
A special website in German
dedicated to this Dutch courses for the higher educated is
www.sprachkursniederlaendisch.de
Same information to our French
full immersion private Dutch courses can be found on
www.apprendre-le-neerlandais.com
responsible editor :
Richard
van
Egdom
office & contact : Lutiau 53, B-6500 Beaumont
Friends of the
Pyrenees House : Le Castel,
F-09400 Miglos
phone +32 60
456 497
|
