Ascent of Catieras Peak from Panticosa

ByTravesía Pirenaica
Pyrenean Peaks
Pyrenean Peaks

Medium-difficulty route with a height difference of 1,380 metres, from the ski resort of Panticosa (village). (1,225 m) to the peak of Catieras (2,605 m), passing through the Ibón de Catieras (2,230 m).

We start from the track that leaves from the cable car at Panticosa towards the Ripera. After crossing a bridge with a beacon - so that the cattle do not escape - we must take the path on our left that will take us to the Cuello de Yenefrito. We cross the Mayada de Yenefrito and continue walking parallel to the river Laulot. We pass by a shepherds' hut and continue until the path approaches the river and we see some stone walls that serve as shelter for livestock. It is easy to spot cows, horses and sheep.

There we cross the river and following the milestones - since at the beginning the path is not well defined - we continue along the path towards the Ibón de Catieras. We continue our route with the Tendeñera mountain range in the background. Our next destination is the Catieras lake. The lake is a good place to take a break, enjoy the landscape, the fauna, the flora... and recharge your batteries after almost four hours of walking.

We resume the path skirting the lake on the left side to continue towards the Espelunz pass, so that we turn left to go between the peaks of Catieras, on our left, and the Baldairan peak (2,702 m), to the right. First we reach the Catieras pass and, from there, the peak. From the summit the view is spectacular, ranging from the massif of the Vignemale to Bujaruelo, with the lake at our feet.

Then we head to the other side of the peak, with views of the Espelunz peak, the sierra de la PartacuaAspe, Bisaurín, Anie (2,507 m, in the French Pyrenees), Garmo Negro...

We descend along the same path we took on the way up. First we reach the pass, from there we head towards the lake, while the peak is behind us. We continue descending and get a very different view of the Dedo de Yenefrito. Again some cows and horses come to greet us with a lot of curiosity. Once we leave the Yenefrito sheepfold behind us, we continue along the marked path and finally leave the track to return to Panticosa along the path that takes us directly to the cable car exit.