Pyrenean crests

In the Pyrenees we can find a large number of ridges, of all kinds of difficulties and with a great variety of attractions that allow us to linking several summits of more than 3,000 metres in a single day. In this article we will focus on how to get started in this world, detailing five proposals of ridges from less to more difficult, whose ascent allows you to climb several Tresmiles in different sectors of the Pyrenees. 

👉 A ridge is a stretch of edge which generally links one summit to another, although we can find different routes that culminate in a single summit. The difficulty of each of these ridges can be highly relativeHowever, a series of factors will always be taken into account, such as the quality of the rock, the degree of exposure, or if there are any steps that require a certain climbing technique. 

Below we propose five ideal crests to get started on this type of route. All of them link several summits of more than 3,000 metres as the main attraction, as it is the fastest way to climb several Tresmiles in the same activity. The difficulty of the proposed crests will increase as we progress, although all of them can be done without the need for climbing equipment, but they do require a certain level of mastery and experience in this type of terrain.

1. Black Garmo Ridge - Argualas

Starting from the Balneario de Panticosa Spa, the classic ascent of the Garmo Negro is carried out, the route of which does not pose any difficulty. From the summit, we lose height heading north until we reach the Algas pass, at 2,960 metres, and from here we make a short ascent to reach the summit of Algas Norte without complications. From this point onwards there is a short ridge that does not pose any great difficulties and whose progression is very obvious until we reach the summit of Pico Algas. At this point the ridge becomes narrower, although the quality of the rock is very good and progress is not very difficult. There is the possibility of descending a few metres in search of a path that flanks the ridge below, although progressing along the ridge is more attractive and allows us to gain confidence on more technical terrain. The ridge has some somewhat exposed sections, although the steps are easy and the quality of the rock is safe. 

Once we reach a gap, there is an obvious path marked with milestones that takes us directly to the summit of Pico Argualas, 3,046 metres. The descent can be made directly to the Collado de las Argualas, linking up with the route up from the Balnerario de Panticosa.

2. Perdiguero Ridge

Starting the ascent from the Literola Valley, the Perdiguero is climbed by its usual route. To reach its summit, you inevitably have to go over the summit of the Hito Oriental del Perdiguero, another Tresmil on the official list. From the summit of the Perdiguero, there is the option of descending a few metres in search of the Hito Occidental del Perdiguero, although afterwards we will have to return to the summit of the Perdiguero to start the crest. 

On returning to the Perdiguero, we descend in a northerly direction in search of the upper pass of Literola, over somewhat uneven but uncomplicated terrain. From the pass, there is only a short climb to overcome until reaching Tuca de Literola, 3,095 metres. The terrain is very manageable, with a path that allows us to reach Pico Royo, 3,121 metres, and Punta de Literola, 3,132 metres, without any problems. From here onwards, the ridge becomes somewhat narrower, with short flanks along the side of Ibón Blanco de Literola to avoid the more difficult sections. Little by little we start to lose altitude, the terrain is more manageable and the milestones indicate the correct route until we reach the short climb that takes us to the Aguja de Literola, 3,028 metres. At this point the only thing left to do is to descend to the Collado Inferior de Lietrola and return in search of the valley that ends the route up.

There is the option of doing the circular route using the adjoining Remuñe Valley as an ascent or descent route, although it will then be necessary to go up the 3 km of road that links one valley with the other. 

3. Bachimala Ridge

Starting from the Tabernés refuge, we climb up the Barranco de Bachimala ravine in search of the Ibones that give access to the cirque that forms the entire ridge. Climbing up a somewhat decomposed rock channel we quickly reach the short ridge that culminates in the Picos de la Pez. This is the most difficult section of the whole ridge, with some IIIº steps that can be overcome with a certain amount of agility. There is the option of losing height on the side of the Bachimala lakes and then going back up along a broken path and linking up again with the ridge. 

Once at the summit of Abeillé, 3,029 metres, the difficulties diminish and the ridge becomes smoother to add the nearest peaks, Pico Marcos Feliu, Pequeño Bachimala, Punta del Ibón and Punta Ledormeur. At this point we come across a smooth plate of IIº that we have to descend in search of the gap that separates Punta Ledormeur and Gran Bachimala. The climb is not difficult, although it is somewhat exposed and requires a certain amount of skill in this type of terrain. 

From the gap you have to pay close attention to the cairns, as the terrain is very broken and the route up to the Great Bachimala is not obvious. The most practicable route consists of a narrow channel, which is quite broken down and lies to the left in the direction of travel. Once on the Gran Bachimala, we follow the ridge, now very obvious, in the direction of Punta del Sabre, 3,136 metres. In general the ridge does not present any great technical difficulties, although the quality of the rock is not very good and we have to be very careful on the climb. The descent is via the normal route that follows the Collado Señal de Viadós route.

4. Munia Ridge

Starting at the Pietramula car park, we ascend to the summit of La Munia by the normal route, passing through the Ibones and the Collado de La Munia, and the famous Cat's Pass. In reference to this pass, there is a fixed rope installed which makes it very easy to ascend and, above all, to descend, although there are very good holds to get over the pass without the need to use the rope. 

Once on the summit of La Munia, we descend in search of a gap along the ridge, which so far does not present any difficulties. We pass the summit of the nearby Pequeña Munia and descend in search of the wide ridge that leads to the summit of Sierra Morena, 3,090 metres. At this point the most complicated part of the route appears, as it is a very vertical climb of about 40 metres. There are numerous holds that make it easy to descend the first section. In the final part, where the wall becomes more vertical, there is a fixed rope that allows you to climb the last section, the most difficult of the whole wall. Another option would be to mount an abseil from the top, although it is not strictly necessary. From the base, reaching the Troumouse does not pose any difficulty. 

Subsequently, the ridge becomes sharper and we can avoid the most exposed section on the Troumouse slope until we reach the summit of Pic Heid, the point where the ridge ends and where we have to turn to undo the whole route we have followed until we reach La Munia again. The quality of the rock on the ridge is generally good, although if you flank to avoid some sections the terrain becomes broken and vertical. 

5. Cresta Espadas

Starting from the Espigantosa waterfall car park, and it is recommended to spend the night in the Angel Orús refuge in order to divide the ascent into two stages, we ascend through the valley following the GR11 to Ibón de Llardaneta. At this point we turn right along a vertical slope until we easily reach the Royo pass, 3,010 metres. Continuing along the obvious ridge, until now following a clear path, we reach the summit of Pico Pavots, from where we can descend some 200 metres to climb the secluded Tuca Forau de la Neu, where we will have to return to the ridge and climb back up the metres we descended previously. 

Once again on the ridge, it gradually narrows and gains verticality, overcoming certain somewhat difficult steps but with good rock quality. This is a narrow section of the ridge, quite exposed but generally not very difficult. There are only two IIIº pitches, where the quality of the rock is safe. From the summit of Pico Espadas, 3,332 metres, we descend in search of the well-known Funambulista Pass, which despite its narrowness, does not pose any difficulty if you do not suffer from vertigo. 

Once over the pass, there is a vertical wall with very good holds (IIIº), which once overcome ends the difficulty of the ridge, linking the next peaks and finally ascending to the Posets. On the descent via the deep channel and the normal Posets route, there is the option of ascending the Diente de Llardana, which, despite its imposing appearance, is not complicated to climb. It is an accessible ridge, although it requires a certain amount of experience on exposed sections and the ability to climb vertically. 

Recommendations for initiation to the Pyrenean Crests

Once the proposal of 5 peaks to get started in the Pyrenees has been completed, several factors must be taken into account.

⚠️ The difficulty of a ridge can be very relative and personal.Despite the fact that all of them are catalogued and classified at different levels, they all require a certain amount of experience in high mountains, as they run through wild terrain, with lots of stones, and are generally slow sections that can take several hours to cover. 

❕ Even if your level does not require it, it is recommended to carry basic climbing equipment in all of them, to avoid or prevent any type of incident. A helmet, good boots or shoes with a good grip, a rope with its respective materials (carabiner, straps, backing...), can help us to guarantee safety on certain sections or steps of any of these ridges. 

📅 The recommended time of the year to try these itineraries is from May to SeptemberAlways consult the specific mountain pages to find out what the conditions are and the state of the ridge.