Excursion to Ibon d'Estanes with snowshoes from Sansanet
This is a classic snowshoeing route. To the Ibón de Estanés on snowshoes, almost a walk, to the Ibón de Estanés, starting from the Parc National des Pyrénées, four kilometres from the French border.
It is a route suitable for everyone and many families take it with their children.
How to get there: Sansanet car park (France)
If you leave Jaca by car, take the N-330 to the Somport pass (without taking the tunnel). Once in French territory, the road becomes the N134.
Once past the Somport cross-country ski resort, just over four kilometres from the border, you will see the Sansanet car park on your left. This is where the excursion begins.
Itinerary
Sansanet car park (France). You can now put on your snowshoes and start the gentle ascent (no steep slopes). The first part of the ascent runs through beech and fir forest. We come to a fork, which we take towards Lac D'Estaens. After a moderate ascent we reach the 292 muga, the border between Spain and France. We join the GR-11 to reach the Ibón de Estanes. The path is perfectly signposted all along the way, so, almost without noticing and enjoying the walk and the magnificent scenery, you will reach the lake in about two hours.
The excursion we propose ends at the lake, although from there, if you wish, you can go to several of the surrounding peaks. The bank of the lake, which now only peeps out timidly on one side while the snow covers the rest, will become more visible as spring progresses and the snow melts.
The return journey will be along the same route. The walk back to the Sansanet car park takes about an hour and a half. We hope you enjoy the experience.
Preparation before going.
Prepare what you will need (a backpack with some food and drink for the day, and some snowshoes. That's all). A camera is not necessary, but highly recommended as the scenery will surprise you at almost every turn.
You can do the tour on your own, in a group, or by contacting a local guide or adventure company.
If you don't have snowshoes, you can rent them somewhere nearby. They cost around 8 euros.
You should know that you are not allowed to do the tour with animals. You could be fined if you do so.
