Guided Trekking Route in the Aigüestortes National Park: Circular traverse to Peguera peak (2.983 m)

Highlights

  • Bucolic routes and dream peaks
  • The Peguera is the highest and most important peak in this region of Sant Maurici
  • The spectacular valley of Monestero
  • Its lakes and relief of glacial origin

Introduction:

The Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park is the only park in this category in Catalonia. Located in the extreme north-west of Catalonia, in the Alt Pirineu Central, its surface is distributed between four counties: the Pallars Jussà, the Pallars Sobirà, the Alta Ribagorça and the Val d’Aran. The park has two distinct parts, the western area, Aigüestortes, accessible from the Boí valley, and the eastern, with the Lake of Sant Maurici and Els Encantats, accessible from Espot.

Hikers and mountain lovers will find a paradise, an amazing place where they can do all kinds of routes where they can enjoy the high mountain landscape, vegetation and water of more than 200 ponds, as well as waterfalls and streams there. The Pic de Peguera with almost 3,000 m, is one of the most special.

The Espot valley is known for the Sant Maurici lake and the sharp peaks of Els Encantats, one of the most photographed pictures by all visitors to the valley. If you want to walk for a while, you can go up to the lakes of Ratera and Amitges, where the forest disappears and we dive into the real high mountain. A less frequented valley, with a steep slope from Espot, allows you to go up to the Estany Negre de Peguera.

Join us and discover with us this jewel of the Pyrenees. Whether hiking or snowshoeing in the winter, the beauty of the place will bring you great emotions.

 

Date of the adventure (Beginning and Ending): On demand
Group size (Minimum and maximum): Mín 2 - Máx 8
Duration in days 2 o 3 days
Price from: 170 € per person
Physical level / difficulty 7/10
Minimum age for the adventure: +10 years
Location Aigüestortes i estany de Sant Maurici National Park, Espot, (Pallars Sobirà)
Included in the adventure:
  • Accommodation at the guarded refuge J.M. Blanc in HB mode
  • Accommodation at the Ernest Mallafré guarded refuge in HB mode
  • Amaroq Explorers Guide
  • The activities according to the program
  • Tents, cooking equipment and first aid
  • RC and accident insurance
Not included in the adventure:
  • Travel from / to Espot
  • Personal expenses such as drinks ...
  • Personal equipment / clothing. Contact us for advice.
  • All services not specified in "included"
Day 1
  • Departure from the village of Espot, towards the refuge of Josep Maria Blanc. From the Feners bridge, on the Peguera river, the starting point of our trek, we can see the Torre dels Moros (La Torreta), a well-preserved medieval watchtower. We will follow the path that follows, the waters of the Peguera, upstream. A little further on, a path descends to the left, into a gorge, where there is the source of the Sulfur, which springs temperate and with a characteristic smell and color.

    The path follows a steep climb between pines, and crosses the river by the bridge of the Savior. The landscape is beautiful and gloomy. We will cross the river again, and this time we will continue along the solarium, climbing through meadows.

    The view becomes more and more extensive. The path brings us closer to the Font Grossa torrent, with its short waterfalls. It is usually a good place to stock up on water. From here the path climbs between winding curves until you leave the forest. We will continue over a walkway of logs crossing an extensive area that is usually completely flooded.

    Later our path will lead to a forest track. We will continue along the track, which climbs steeply. On the left, between the forest clearings, we will find the beautiful lakes of Trescuro, surrounded by pine trees and large expanses of aquatic vegetation.

    Then we will reach the Pleta de les Romes, which is the gateway to the upper valley of Peguera. once gained the granite wall that serves as its base. The track continues around this granite area and we will leave on our right the dam located at the northeast end of the Tort de Peguera lake. Then we will leave the track that goes to the Estany Negre, to take the path that takes us to the Josep Maria Blanc refuge (2,350 m).

    (3 h)

    Dinner and accommodation at the shelter.

Day 2
  • From the refuge we will look for the Cabana lake, then the Coveta lake at 2,400 m, in the general direction West, and we will continue through the Peguera coma, on a gentle climb to the Petit de Peguera lake.

    We will start to climb in a north-westerly direction, avoiding the scree that extends at the foot of the Monastero peak. We will leave the Gran de Peguera lake on our left, much lower and we will finally reach the wide Monastero pass (2,715 m)

    From now on we will continue along the path that flanks the skirt of the northern edge of the Peguera. Then we will follow a slope with a lot of loose stone until we reach the edge, which we will climb by granite blocks, the last meters (steps of II and some isolated of III) aerial but very safe, all the sea of fun!

    In about 3 hours from the refuge, we will reach the top of Peguera (2,983 m).

    Then we will go down again to the Monastero pass, to go down later to the valley of the same name, we will arrive between meadows, and forests of black pine and neret to the lake of Monastero, and then to the Fangassals de Monastero, a landscape of great beauty . Finally we will reach the Lake of Sant Maurici, with views of the Encantats and the refuge Enest Mallafré (1,950 m) (3.5 hours from the pass).

    Dinner and accommodation at the shelter.

Day 3
  • This is a simple day, which can be extended as long as we want, with different proposals such as a walk around Sant Maurici or a visit to the Ratera Waterfall.

    The route follows its route through the valley of the river Escrita, passes between pastures and forests of black pine, fir, birch and serval, allows to see samples of the cattle activity of the valley, and during the route posters can be seen on the flora and fauna. Also, in the hut of the “Pont de Pallers” you can visit an exhibition on the traditional exploitation of forest in these valleys of the Pyrenees.

    The route, of about 260 m of difference of level, can be realized in about 2 hours.

    The program may change depending on weather conditions, terrain (snow and ice in the passes), group status, and decisions the guide makes at any given time.