(0h0min; 0kms) Aguas Tuertas (1.620m). The Aguas Tuertas valley is without doubt one of the most beautiful in all the Pyrenees, a vast meadow surrounded by mountains and with a zigzagging river plotting impossible meanders. The path heads up the Aguas Tuertas valley on the left bank until it reaches the headwaters, just before it picks up water from the Barranco de la Rueda. You turn left at this point (E) and cross the river –not always a straightforward task- and follow the valley to the left towards the...
(0h50min; 2.9kms) Escalé Pass (1.660m). At a crossing, a sign indicates Escalé pass to the left (1.635m) and Estanés lake to the right. You keep right until you reach...
(1h35min; 4.8kms) Toronez d'as Cabretas col (1.910m). As you embark on a short descent, you need to pay attention to the signs – especially in foggy conditions – so as to avoid going all the way down to the lake, because in order to skirt round it you will need to walk half-way up and thus avoid the outcrops that surround it along this side.
(2h05min; 6kms) Ibón de Estanés (crossing) (1.806m). The new GR11 stretch of the route no longer goes down to Estanés lake on the way to Candanchú (2h45min from here) via the Chorrota de Aspe path (former GR11). Instead, it heads towards the auberge in Lizara via the valley of the Sarrios. So you leave the lake down below to the left, and walk ahead (E) along a small valley – punctuated by a slender trickle of water in summer – while sharing the path with the Senda Camille route (green and yellow markings). Further ahead (15mins), upon reaching a plain (O Cantal), the GR11 turns south and climbs up in search of the valley of the Sarrios, leaving the ravine on the right. The valley of the Sarrios represents a perfect glacial valley, and the GR11 crosses it along the left bank of the stream (cattle usually present) towards the cirque of Olibon, until it eventually turns right (W) to cross the...
(2h55min; 8.7kms) Bernera Pass (2.102m). Lake Viejo lies to the left (S). The path drops down towards the Plana Mistresa along the left bank (stream, cattle usually present). Ahead lies Bisaurín (2,670m).
(3h15min; 10.1kms) Plana Mistresa (1,980m). A basin where waters coming from numerous torrents converge. Follow the water course, to the south, towards Bernera ravine and cross over to the right bank. After 5mins you pass the Forestales shelter and 35mins later, the Ordelca shelter. Lizara auberge is now visible. The path heads down in a south-easterly direction until it joins a wide path (GR11.1) at which point a sign indicates 10mins to Lizara. Follow the path on the left as far as a small col, just above the auberge, where you take a path on the left that leads to the...
(4h20min; 13.8kms) Refugio de Lizara (1,540m).
At the entrance to Aguas Tuertas valley, you will come across the Aguas Tuertas cabin (free, good condition, basic).
During the stage, close to the end, you pass the Forestales free shelter (good condition, clean, with a fireplace, for 12 people) and the Ordelca free shelter (condition just about acceptable, with a fireplace, for 5-6 people).
At the end of the stage, Refugio de Lizara (/) (staffed, half and full-board, with bar, accessible by road).
Maps:
- Editorial Alpina:
GR11. Senda Pirenaica
and
Valle de Canfranc
(Scale: 1/25.000).
- SUA edizioak:
Aragón-Canfranc
(Scale: 1/25.000).
- Prames:
Valle del Aragón
(Scale: 1/25.000) and
Valle del río Aragón
(Scale: 1/40.000).
- Editorial Pirineo:
Valle del Aragón
(Scale: 1/40.000).