We are looking for this place 2024

ByTravesía Pirenaica

As we did in previous years, we begin this 2025 with a compilation of all those places that we proposed you to find out about each week.

The solution, as always, can be found in the weekly newsletter that we share with you on Thursdays. But in case you missed any of them, here are the 51 places chosen in 2024.

Index

We are looking for this place #119:

A blue sky and sharp peaks dressed in immaculate white. We are in what is known as the "valley of the three-thousanders", contemplating a handful of them. Do you recognise any of them?

    Tracks:

    1. This valley is home to the capital of the Pyrenees, like Chamonix in the Alps.
    2. The mountain massif ahead of us is cursed.
    3. It is said that the sharp beak in the central position of the photograph is named after a certain duchess, but this is not true.

See solution:

We are in the Lliterola valley, one of the secondary valleys of the Benasque valley, contemplating the Maladeta massif, whose meaning "highest peak" comes from "mala eta". Later, time and the passing of time would twist these words until these mountains became the Montes Malditos (Cursed Mountains). And as it is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words, these are the main peaks to be seen:

We are looking for this place #120:

The summit! The views are breathtaking, to the west the Bisaurín, the Aspe...; to the north the Midi d'Ossau, Palas, Balaitús, to the east... to the east?

    Tracks:

    1. We are at the top of the highest mountain in the whole region. An unmistakable peak because of the necklace that surrounds its summit or because of its resemblance to a nipple.
    2. The mountains that take centre stage belong to another valley, another mountain range.
    3. The peak in the foreground is a refrigerator.

See solution:

The photograph is taken from Collarada (2,883m), the highest peak in Jacetania. To the east, in the foreground, we can see Cuchillares (2,681m), Peña Nevera (2,721m) and Somola Alta (2,692m). In the background, but in the role of protagonist, we can see the peaks of the neighbouring Sierra de Partacua (Alto Gállego). To be highlighted, from nearer to further away: Pala de los Rayos (2,646m), Peña Retona (2,770m), Puerto Rico (2,753m) and Peña Telera (2,762m). Peña Blanca (2,555m), in the western foothills of the Sierra de Tendeñera, looms up behind to the left.

We are looking for this place #121:

The peak we are showing you this week is a mountain with capital letters, not in vain, it is the culminating point of one of the eleven massifs in which the 217 Pyrenean three-thousanders are concentrated.

    Tracks:

    1. As we said, it is one of the eleven three-thousanders that holds the privilege of being the highest peak of the massif in which it is located.
    2. The photograph is taken from the northern slope, from the base of what is considered to be the largest glacial cirque in the Pyrenees.
    3. If you try to tread on its summit, beware of the cat.

See solution:

This was La Munia (3,127m), the highest peak of the long ridge that encloses the Troumouse cirque to the north, considered the largest glacial cirque in the Pyrenees due to its four kilometres in diameter and eleven kilometres in perimeter. It is precisely from the base of the cirque that the normal route to the peak starts on the French side, which will join up with the route from Pineta (longer and steeper), before tackling the famous Cat's Pass / Pass du Chat (PD).

We are looking for this place #122:

Autumn, winter, spring or summer, it is always a good time to immerse yourself in a forest and let yourself be enchanted by the sounds, smells, lights and colours that an ever-living and ever-changing ecosystem like this one offers us in every season.

    Tracks:

    1. This is not just any forest, it is one of the largest and best preserved beech-fir forests in Europe.
    2. At the head of this valley is the source of one of the two streams (the white one) that give rise, after their confluence, to the river of the same name as this place.
    3. This whole valley is guarded by a very special two thousand.

See solution:

It could not be any other forest than the Irati ForestThe second largest beech-fir forest in Europe with 17,175ha. It is located in the Navarrese Pyrenees, between the valleys of Aezkoa and Salazar, and in the Atlantic Pyrenees, in the valleys of Cize and Soule, occupying the large hollow that the upper basin of the Irati has carved out between the Abodi mountain range and the Pyrenean axis.

Its excellent state of conservation, which includes the two nature reserves of Mendilatz and Tristuibartea, and the integral reserve of Lizardoia, earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017 under the designation of Primary Beech Forests of the Carpathians and other regions of Europe; and this, despite the fact that although it is labelled as a virgin forest, it has endured timber extraction since the 15th century. Now logging is tightly controlled, but in centuries past, Spain and France were busy extracting huge spruce logs for the masts of their navies. This is why, due to the forestry exploitation carried out for centuries, the predominant species in the forest is the beech, and why the area of mixed forest in which firs and beeches intermingle occupies, according to data from the Government of Navarre, 1,528 hectares, distributed mainly here and in the Aztaparreta ravine (Belagua valley).

We are looking for this place #123:

In last week's search we told you that the Irati Forest was used to extract the precious spruce trunks from which the masts of the Spanish and French navies were made, and not far from there, in this place, they did not hesitate to blow up the mountain for the same reason.

    Tracks:

    1. The GR10, the long-distance footpath that crosses the Pyrenees from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean along the French side, runs along this path.
    2. In front of these walls is a large fort, listed as a historical monument since 2005.
    3. The main valley is crossed by the French Way of St. James, also called the Aragonese Way when it enters this territory.

See solution:

It was the Chemin de la Mâturetranslated into Spanish as Camino de los Mástiles. Built between 1771 and 1773, it was used during the following 6 years to extract large trunks of spruce, beech and boxwood to build the French Royal Navy of the time. The origin is to be found during the reign of Louis XIV (1643-1715), when it was decided that the country needed a large navy. To do this, it was necessary to extract trees of great size and quality, which were to be found in the forests of the western Pyrenees, such as this one in Pacq, to which this road leads.

We are looking for this place #124:

The Sierra de Guara is one of the best canyoning destinations in Europe. Mascún, Gorgas Negras, Vero, Otín, Fornocal, La Peonera... these are just some of the names that will surely ring a bell to any canyoner who has visited this place, but none of them is the one we are looking for in this photograph. Do you recognise it?

    Tracks:

    1. It is located in the easternmost part of the Sierra de Guara.
    2. This large detached vault is the most recognisable part of the ravine and the start of the most interesting part of it.
    3. It flows into one of those better known ravines mentioned in the introduction.

See solution:

This is the ravine of Sarratanas, a ideal canyon to do in autumn-winter Due to its low flow, we will be able to observe beautiful geological formations such as some large baumas, vaults, perforated marmites and areas of darkness and narrows.

Specifically, the photograph corresponds to the large detached vault that precedes the area of straits and Aguilar Cave.

If you want to do it, it is located next to the Puente de las Gargantas, between Lecina and Colungo, an area where you can do other descents such as the Fornocal, Palomeras de Fornocal, Malpaso, Xae, Lumos, Medio or Alpan, among others.

We are looking for this place #125:

Halfway between the valley and the peaks and very close to the road that runs through the main valley, these curious rock formations go completely unnoticed.

    Tracks:

    1. They are located in the Tena valley, south of one of the most important inland mountain ranges.
    2. The entrance to this valley is presided over by a fountain and a hermitage.
    3. The mountain we see behind us is Peña Telera.

See solution:

These were the Agujas de l'Asieso, located in the valley of the same name, on the southern face of the Tendeñera mountain range.

These curious formations with steeply inclined strata have been exposed due to the erosion of the ravines, exposing several folds known in geology as chevrons.

The entrance to the valley is dominated by the fort and the hermitage of Santa Elena, where there is a small via ferrata (K1).

We are looking for this place #126:

Often the end of a stage on the GR11, this place is probably best known for the crystal-clear water pools that attract dozens of bathers in summer.

    Tracks:

    1. It is located in the region of La Garrotxa, within the Alta Garrotxa Area of Natural Interest.
    2. There is an association of friends of this place that wants to recover the large adjoining building, to enable a mountaineering refuge.

See solution:

This is the hermitage of Sant Aniol d'Aguja. It is located in the Garrotxa region, at the head of the Sant Aniol stream, 6 kilometres from Sadernes (campsite, church and end of the road) and in the middle of the route. GR11 between Talaixa and Albanya.

Its origins date back to the year 859, when a community of Benedictine monks from Santa Maria d'Arles founded a monastery here that was to become very important. Due to its isolation, it soon became dependent on Girona Cathedral and so, in 1003, the community was transferred to Sant Llorenç del Mont, located a few kilometres away.

Next to the hermitage stands a large building that used to house the old Sant Aniol shelter and where for years the group of Friends of Sant Aniol d'Aguja is working voluntarily on its rehabilitation to convert it into a mountaineering refuge.

As we said in the tracks, the place is very popular with bathers in summer, who come attracted by the turquoise waters of the Gorg Blau, the Salt del Brull or the Salt de la Capa.

We are looking for this place #127:

What a snowfall! Sergio Alén told us about the photo he sent us, in which we can see one of the best known poses of this peak.

    Tracks:

    1. It is just over 2,000 metres high.
    2. It is the gateway to one of the largest karst complexes in Europe.
    3. The most common way to climb this peak is to start the hike at cairn 262.

See solution:

One of the first two-thousanders in the Pyrenees in the west, one of the few in Navarre and, nevertheless, a mountain "eclipsed" by everything that comes after it. We are referring to the Arlas (2,044 m).

The Arlas peak, which straddles the border between Navarre and the historic region of Bearne, is just over a kilometre from the Ernaz pass, better known as the Piedra/Pierre de San Martín (cairn 262). Its proximity to this pass, the short (but steep) slope and its location make it an ideal place to visit. beautiful trip to a privileged viewpoint from where you can admire the Larra plateau and the first really important peaks of the Pyrenees, such as the Anie (2,504 m)one of the most beautiful mountains in the Pyrenees.

We are looking for this place #128:

Later rather than sooner, the big snowfalls have arrived in the Pyrenees and this week we are in danger of level 4 avalanches above 1900-2000 metres. On some occasions we have told you about how to interpret the Avalanche Hazard Bulletin (AHB) and where to consult it, such as in the AEMETBy coincidence, it has a cover image very similar to the one we are looking for. Do you know what those peaks are in the background?

    Tracks:

    1. The peaks we can see delimit a natural park to the east, which suddenly meets a ski resort.
    2. Between us and the mountains in the background is a well-known mountain pass crossed by one of the main pilgrims' routes to Santiago de Compostela.
    3. The highest peak gives its name (or vice versa) to the valley that opens to the north and drains into the Cantabrian Sea, unlike the peaks on the left, which drain completely into the Mediterranean.

See solution:

We are climbing the slope to the north of the Somport pass on the way to the col Mayou (2,033m), a privileged viewpoint over the mountains that tower above the Candanchú ski resort. And as a picture is worth a thousand words, from left to right these are the main peaks we see: Pico de la Garganta de Borau (2,570m), El Sombrero (2,562m), Pico de la Garganta de Aísa (2,504m), Aspe (2,640m), Llena de la Garganta (2,599m), Brecha Wallon (2,329m), Llena del Bozo (2,566m) and Ruabe del Bozo (2,419m).

We are looking for this place #129:

Early spring is an ideal time to visit waterfalls. The rivers are flowing and the temperatures are much more pleasant than in previous months. A perfect plan for those rainy days or bad weather in the highlands.

    Tracks:

    1. The waterfall we are looking for would not be so well known if it were not for being so close to the most famous town in the Salazar valley.
    2. From this town, the gateway to the Irati Forest and located in the middle of the GR11 route, there is a local path to visit it.
    3. The waterfall is located at the confluence of two ravines.

See solution:

It was the Otsate waterfall (also called the Arbea waterfall), located less than a kilometre from Ochagavía / Otsagabia, at the confluence of the Arbea and Otsate ravines. This waterfall is, like so many others, one of those that we should visit after rainy periods. One option for getting to know it is to follow the local SL-NA60 path that visits the Arbea and Otsate ravines.

We are looking for this place #130:

The church of Sant Cristòfol (Saint Christopher), with its four-storey Romanesque Lombard bell tower more than 20 metres high, is undoubtedly the town's most outstanding architectural jewel. Do you know where we are?

    Tracks:

    1. This small village is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in Catalonia.
    2. It is located within the Alta Garrotxa Area of Natural Interest.
    3. It is crossed by the GR11.

See solution:

It was Beget, a town that has been part of the municipality of Camprodon (Ripollés, Girona) since 1969. As we were saying, Beget is not only considered by many to be one of the prettiest villages in Catalonia, but it also forms part of the Pobles amb encant of the Catalan Tourism Agency and of the Association of the Prettiest Villages in Spain. Highlights include the church of Sant Cristòfol, the narrow streets and cobbled squares, and the two medieval bridges that connect the three neighbourhoods. Its natural surroundings include forests and streams, which in summer offer refreshing pools for swimming, such as the three located on the way out of the town towards Oix, on the Salarsa stream.

We are looking for this place #131:

The entire periphery of the Iberian Peninsula is a territory with an abundant presence of megaliths. The most common are menhirs and dolmens, such as the one in the photograph.

    Tracks:

    1. This dolmen and another very close one are located in the Aragonese Pyrenees.
    2. I'm sure that the cyclist Fernando Escartín has visited them on more than one occasion.
    3. Nearby there is a hermitage of the same name.

See solution:

These were the dolmens of Santa Elena, located 4 km from Biescas (Tena Valley), on the Santa Engracia plain. Two dolmens were found here in 1931 and destroyed during the Civil War. The first, the larger one, was found and reconstructed in 1975 by the Provincial Museum of Huesca and the Biescas Town Council. The second, the one in the photograph, smaller than the other, was considered lost until it was found in 2018, just as it was 85 years ago.

We are looking for this place #132:

In 2018, Jaume Canet and Enric Cáceres made a 100-day journey on foot from Barcelona that took them across the Pyrenees from sea to sea on two occasions, along the GR10and the GR11. They called it "100 fites per a la desconnexió". Both had been doctors at the Germans Trias y Pujol hospital in Badalona and so, in this way, they were about to embark on the new stage of their retirement. In this week's search we want to remember their great adventure and pay our small tribute to Jaume, who passed away 3 years later.

In this photograph taken while the two of them were performing that we framed it in the GR10The peak, which is by no means the highest in the area, is very popular with mountaineers due to its rugged terrain.

    Tracks:

    1. It is located in the French department of the Pyrénées-Orientales, Catalunya del Nord.
    2. This tusk is located at a short distance from the trail. GR10frequently used in its approach.
    3. A well-known mountain race passes through its summit.

See solution:

It was the Roc de Sant Salvador or Saint Sauveur (1,235m). It is located to the north of the massif of Les Salines, in the French region of Vallespir, from which the race that passes over its summit takes its name, Vallespir SkyraceThe race starts and finishes in the town of Amelie les Bains. In case you are interested, the 12th edition will be held on 19 May. If this is not the case, but you are still interested in climbing. The most common route is the one that starts from Montalbà on the northern slope. From the south, the most elegant option is to leave the Mare de Déu de les Salines Sanctuary and walk along the highest peaks (+1,400m) of the Les Salines massif (the Moixer, Roc del Comptador, Roc de Frausa and Roc de la Campana) before tackling the ascent of the Roc de Sant Salvador (II exposed). The key pass consists of a fairly vertical wall in which dams have been carved that are hidden as you descend. The return can be done by following the GR10.

We are looking for this place #133:

A watchtower seen from another watchtower. This week we are looking for this unique mountain crowned by three peaks of similar altitude, at the western end of the Pyrenees.

    Tracks:

    1. Its summit is a magnificent viewpoint over the Basque coast.
    2. The rocks that form these mountains are particularly ancient, more than 250 million years old, and of a totally different origin from the rest of the nearby mountains.
    3. The Gipuzkoa side has been a natural park since 1995.

See solution:

It was about Aiako Harria (Crags of Aya)one of the first mountains in the Pyrenees coming from the Cantabrian Sea, from which it is barely 8 km away. The photograph is taken from Larún (901m), also called Larrún, Larhún or La Rhune.

We are looking for this place #134:

In the past, in many places in the Pyrenees, in order to transport the wood to the place where it was transformed, the logs were tied together to form a kind of raft which, with the help of large oars, descended the rivers. Have you ever seen them?

    Tracks:

    1. This photo was taken in Burgui, where this weekend they are celebrating this tradition, now in its 31st edition. Don't miss it.
    2. Perhaps some of you may have come across them this past weekend in Murillo de Gállego. This festival has been held here for 20 years now.
    3. If you haven't seen them in Gallego and you can't go to Burgui this weekend, the first weekend of May you have another opportunity to see them descend the Aragón Subordán, on 19th May in Aínsa, and later in July in La Pobla de Segur, where this festival has been celebrated since 1979.

See solution:

The photo is of a "almadía", as these rafts are known in Navarre, where this Saturday in Burgui, the "Almadía" is being held. 31st Day of the Almadía. It would be a navata or armadia if we had seen it in Aragon, rai in Catalonia or radeaux, if for example we had seen it in the Aspe valley, where the large trunks extracted from the Issaux and Pacq forests, by the Chemin de la MatureThe ships were brought down the river in this way to the port of Bayonne.

In reality, the transport of wood down rivers is not exclusive to the Pyrenees. In Spain, loose logs came down other basins such as the Tagus, Jucar, Turia, Segura and Guadalquivir, and also in other parts of Europe and the world. In fact, in 2022, UNESCO declared the river transport of wood an Intangible Heritage of Humanity following the joint candidacy of Spain, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Latvia and Poland.

We are looking for this place #135:

Fancy canyoning? This week, Noelia Novoa sends us a photo of a canyon, normally dry, but of great beauty, ideal for those who want to get started and practice the abseiling technique. If you have already done it, you will surely keep a photo of this monumental vault, its most characteristic image.

    Tracks:

    1. It is located in the Sierra de Guara.
    2. It is a ravine that usually remains dry most of the year, so it can be done at any time of the year. You will only have to keep an eye on the flow of the river Vero for the return trip.
    3. In the vicinity of this site there are several places with cave paintings.

See solution:

It was the Basender ravine, although in reality it seems that Basender is the upper part of the river before it became a ravine, being more correctly called the Cruciacha ravine. As we said, it is a dry canyon all year roundIt is ideal for beginners to abseil, as it has 7, the largest of which is 15 metres long. If you want to do it but do not have the necessary experience, do not hesitate to call us at NoeliaI am sure he can accompany you and recommend many more. The descent of this ravine can be combined with the Portiacha ravine. Nearby you can also do some sightseeing and visit the medieval village of Lecina, the hermitage of San Martín, the cave paintings of Gallinero and Lecina, or the cave paintings of Barfaluy and Mallata.

We are looking for this place #136:

What could be more beautiful than a waterfall? This week we invite you to discover this little jewel of the French Pyrenees, one of many. Let's start with the clues, which at first glance don't seem easy.

    Tracks:

    1. This waterfall is located at the head of the Lys valley.
    2. It is not the Enfer waterfall.
    3. If the waterfall d'Enfer is at the Ruisseau d'Enfer or de Lis, this one is at its immediate tributary, the Ruisseau Houradade.

See solution:

With these clues, the field was very narrow, even so, we had five candidates: Coeur, Cau, Calahoure, Houradade and Coume. And the winner is... the Coeur waterfall, the closest to the car park of them all, along with the cascade d'Enfer (a must-see). To see it, once you have returned from the Enfer waterfall, simply take the path that leads from the Portillon hydraulic power station along the left bank of the Ruisseau Houradade in 5 minutes (right-hand side of the road).

We are looking for this place #137:

In the easternmost Pyrenees, on the southern slopes of the Albera massif, stands this castle, a silent witness to disputes and wars. Does it ring a bell?

    Tracks:

    1. It is located within the Albera Natural Site of National Interest.
    2. The GR11, from where the photograph was taken, runs very close to the castle.

See solution:

It was the Requesens CastleThe castle is located in the Alt Empordà, to the south of the Albera mountain range and some 3 km to the north in a straight line from the municipality of Cantallops. The castle was built during the disputes between the counties of Ampurias and Roussillon following their separation at the end of the 10th century, although it is mentioned in a document dating from 859. The castle was restored in the 19th century and today it can be visited by prior reservation.

We are looking for this place #138:

A majestic stone bridge crosses a turbulent river, surrounded by lush vegetation. It couldn't be greener. Behind it, a waterfall adds a touch of drama to the picture. Beautiful, isn't it? I'm sure you've recognised it, but... let's get down to the clues!

    Tracks:

    1. This place, famous for its bridge, is a popular starting point for hiking trails, such as the one to a nearby lake or the one to the waterfalls.
    2. It is located in the French Pyrenees, near a popular spa and skiing destination.
    3. Last year, the Tour de France had one of the most memorable stage finishes here. Incidentally, it was won by Pogacar.

See solution:

It was the Pont d'Espagne, built in 1886, at the same time as the road, to replace the old wooden footbridge located on this site. The bridge is located just after the confluence of the Gaube gave and the Marcadau gave (together they will form the Jéret gave), and was a constant crossing point for traders from both sides of the Pyrenees who exchanged animals and products across the valley and the Marcadau pass, at an altitude of 2,541 metres. This is precisely where the name Marcadau comes from, from the name of the market.

In 1990, with the rise of tourism and the overcrowding of the site, in order to protect it, access by car was restricted a few hundred metres before reaching the bridge, where the gigantic Puntas car park is located today. In high season, a bus runs between Cauterets and the car park.

If you would like to visit them and go on an excursion, the Waterfalls Trail is one of the most recommended.

We are looking for this place #139:

This beautiful peak, straddling two valleys, also marks a leap between the Pyrenean mountains. Coming from the Bay of Biscay, it means leaving the rounded grassy peaks behind for good and entering a rugged territory where the peaks now easily exceed 2,000 metres. 

    Tracks:

    1. The beech and fir forest that we see carpeting the northern slope of this mountain has been declared an Integral Reserve.
    2. It's not even close, but this peak is less than 2,000 metres.
    3. Its summit is on the border between two autonomous communities.

See solution:

It was Txamantxoia or Maz (1,945m), as this peak is called depending on whether we are speaking from Navarre or Aragon. The easiest way to reach the summit is from the Linza refuge, from where you only have to climb 600 metres. If this is not enough for you, we recommend the ascent from Rincón de Belagua combined with Lapiza Linzola (2.104m). A very cool circular route around the Aztaparreta ravine (Integral Reserve) to reach the summit of these two peaks.

We are looking for this place #140:

Of course, the pose you get of this peak when you climb the equipped path is not the most recognisable of this well-known mountain.

    Tracks:

    1. A path equipped with a steel cable climbs up to its (ante)summit.
    2. This is undoubtedly the best known of the peaks overlooking the Candanchú ski resort.
    3. It is named after a type of footwear.

See solution:

It could not be other than the Zapatilla, in particular, the profile of the sole seen from the west side and the north summit, or the Zapato's Toe. A highly, highly recommended excursion is climb up the equipped path and descend through the Tortiellas chasm. A climb with a high mountain atmosphere for non-climbers to which you can put the finishing touch by continuing along the ridge to the true summit (PD) and, as we said, descending through the Tortiellas chasm.

We are looking for this place #141:

Green meadows, flocks of sheep, cows, lakes, snow-capped mountains... Bienvenue dans le Pays Toy. This time we have travelled to the northern slopes to visit one of the great Pyrenean cirques. Do you recognise it? Can you identify the peaks in the photograph?

    Tracks:

    1. We are on the northern slope, in one of the Three Great Pyrenean Cirques.
    2. Of the three circuses, this one is considered the largest because of its enormous circumference.
    3. From here you can see 5 of the 6 three-thousanders of the massif, only Robiñera is missing.

See solution:

It is none other than the Troumouse cirque, considered to be the largest glacial cirque in the Pyrenees due to its 11 kilometres in perimeter and 4 kilometres in diameter. Imagine the glacier that must have existed! The Troumouse cirque, together with those of Gavarnie and Estaubé, forms the trilogy of the Great Pyrenean Cirques. And as a picture is worth a thousand words, these are the main peaks that can be seen in the photograph.

We are looking for this place #142:

This week we are looking for a waterfall that you will surely know if you have ever been to the Viceroy.

    Tracks:

    1. We are in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park.
    2. This place is usually the starting point for climbing the second highest peak in the Pyrenees.

See solution:

This was the Espigantosa waterfall, a waterfall some 20 metres high, well known for being next to the car park where the route up to the Posets or Llardana starts, passing through the Angel Orús or Forcau refuge. This is known as the Royal Route, which we can take in the village of Eriste/Grist if we want to walk up to see the waterfall and which goes up the Aigüeta de Eriste ravine, passing places such as the Tramarrius Bridge or the old Freixenal lead smelter.

We are looking for this place #143:

Summer! It's official, says Saint John. The shortest night and the longest day. Let the season begin with salads, gazpachitos and swimming pool, whoever can, looking for shade and water, remember that in protected areas, bathing in ponds and lakes like the one in the photograph is not allowed.

    Tracks:

    1. This small lake is located at the foot of the GR11.
    2. Within the largest Protected Natural Area in Catalonia.
    3. Next to it, a little higher up, there is a small metal shelter.

See solution:

This was the lower Baiau lake, the smaller of the two lakes located in the Baiau cirque, next to the refuge of the same name. The hike to this place is a tough one, 600 metres uphill and 12 km round trip, but it is well worth it. It starts at the La Molinassa car park and visits places of extraordinary beauty such as the Pla de Boet, the Pla de Arcalís and the estanys d'Ascorbes (or Escorbes), from peaceful meadows and black pine forests to a typical high mountain landscape dominated by sharp ridges, glacial cirques and lakes.

We are looking for this place #144:

We continue with another lake, or rather "estanh", which is what they call these mountain lakes in the Val d'Aran.

    Tracks:

    1. We are in the Aran Valley or Val d'Aran (in Aranese), in the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.
    2. This elongated estanh, hence its name, is at the foot of the GR11.
    3. The peak in the background is the Tuc de Salana.

See solution:

It was the Estanh Long de Colomersone of the most beautiful lakes in the Colomers cirque, famous for having the highest concentration of lakes in the Pyrenees. If you want to visit it, a good option is to follow the route of the 7 lakes. It starts at the Banhs de Tredós car park and is 16 km long (10 km round trip up the Aiguamòg river valley; plus 5.4 km of circular route around the lakes). Another option is the long circuit, which shares the entire approach to the lakes (10 km round trip) and then a circular route of 11 km.

We are looking for this place #145:

According to the RAE, a girdle is a "strip of cloth or fabric with which the body is encircled around the waist, giving it one or more turns". For us, the first meaning is this one.

    Tracks:

    1. There are many girdles, but this one is undoubtedly the most famous.
    2. We are, of course, in the Ordesa Valley.
    3. Walking along this corridor overlooking the abyss is one of the most classic routes in the National Park, although it is not an overcrowded route.

See solution:

In case there were any doubts, it was the Flower Beltthe best-known and most spectacular of all the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. The natural presence of this type of horizontal corridors that cross vertical walls is not exclusive to Ordesa and can be seen in other places where, as here, there is an alternation of hard and soft materials. However, I would go so far as to say that the numerous belts in the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park are the most famous and spectacular in the Pyrenees and in the whole of the Iberian Peninsula. In addition to the Faja de las Flores, other well-known belts in the Ordesa valley are the Faja de Pelai, the Faja de Racón, the Faja Canarella and the Faja Luenga.

We are looking for this place #146:

Carmen García sends us this week a postcard image from one of the most beautiful places in the Pyrenees. We could describe the image but, as they say, "better to see".

    Tracks:

    1. GR10 y ARP meet up again near here to share shelter and briefly join paths.
    2. The peak at the bottom is undoubtedly one of the most important most beautiful mountains in the Pyrenees Which will it be?
    3. We haven't said anything about the lake, but what can we say about this group of lakes which are usually accessed from the Ossau Valley or from the Aragon Valley?

See solution:

It was none other than Lake Gentau, one of the 6 Ayous Lakes with the Midi d'Ossau in the background. The excursion to the Ayous Lakes is one of the best mid-mountain routes in the Pyrenees. You can start at Lac de Bious Artigues (French side) and do a snowshoeing route (16 km and +/- 850m), visiting the 6 lakes: lac Castérau, lac du Miey, lac Gentau, lac Bersau, lac Roumassot and lac Paradis; or go up from Astún, on foot or by chairlift to Ibón de las Truchas, and through the col des Moines, do a linear round trip visiting the main lakes.

We are looking for this place #147:

A lake, a shelter and a cluster of peaks as a backdrop - does anyone recognise this place?

    Tracks:

    1. We are in the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.
    2. At the foot of GR11.20 and Carros de Foc.
    3. This refuge is also an ideal base camp for climbing peaks such as Peguera and Monestero.

See solution:

It was the Estany Tort de Peguera with the Josep María Blanc refuge on its shore and the peaks of Mainera, Tuc de Saburó (2,912m) and Tuc Inferior de Saburó (2,847m) in the background. A photo we took during the ascent to the Peguera and Monestero peakshighly recommended route.

We are looking for this place #148:

This week we are off to the French Pyrenees National Park to visit this bucolic waterfall - who recognises it, right? Here are the clues.

    Tracks:

    1. Of the seven Lavedan valleys, the Azun, Cauterets and Gavarnie valleys are the ones with the most impressive mountain scenery. We are in the first of these valleys, which has the most authentic and least touristy villages of the three.
    2. We continue to narrow the encirclement. The two main rivers that form the headwaters of the Azun valley are the Arrens and Estaing, and we are at the Arrens.
    3. The definitive track. The two normal routes to climb the Balaitús from this slope, the Beraldi vira (PD-) and the Néous chimney (AD-), separate their paths here.

See solution:

This is the Doumblas waterfall, a beautiful waterfall located in the Ruisseau de Larribet, just before it flows into the Gave d'Arrens. If you want to visit it, we recommend the excursion from Plan d'Aste through a magnificent fir forest to the Lac de Suyen (30 minutes), the Doumblas waterfall (1 hour) and La Claou (1h30min), where there is a small lagoon and in the ruisseau de Larribet, a succession of small pools of crystal-clear water are formed.

We are looking for this place #149:

This mountain with twin peaks is the most emblematic of the P.N de Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici and one of the most important of the beautiful Pyrenees. Easy, isn't it?

    Tracks:

    1. It is located in the eastern sector of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici.
    2. It is precisely the Estany de Sant Maurici that we see in front of us.

See solution:

It could not be any other place than Els Encantats and the Estany de Sant Maurici. A magical place, one of the must-see places in the Pyrenees, but also one of the most overcrowded.

According to legend, on the day of Sant Maurici, two shepherd brothers from Espot, Cristobal and Esteban, decided to go up to hunt isards, skipping mass. Apparently, that year there were few of them and they thought that if they got up early, they could be back by midday with a catch to celebrate this important day. The man upstairs must not have liked this and at the moment of the consecration, with the whole village in the chapel, there was a roar that shook the whole valley. The mountain had cracked in two, transforming these two brothers into rock.

We are looking for this place #150:

There are some peaks that on the map go completely unnoticed. They are usually not very high, on the way to other more famous places... Then, when one day you travel to a place for the first time, you come across it suddenly, clearly visible from the road, with no known name. From that moment on, knowing its name becomes a necessity and it immediately becomes part of your bucket list. Maybe not for an exclusive trip, but for one of those shorter days. This happens to me with several of them (it wouldn't be bad to make a list of them all), but it especially happens to me with Peñamellera when I go to Picos de Europa and with this one in the High Pyrenees. Does anyone recognise it?

    Tracks:

    1. This peak is located in the Hautes-Pyrénées department, above the village of the same name.
    2. From here, a lesser-known climb to the ski resort starts than the one that usually takes place in the Tour de France.
    3. As you approach it from the motorway from Lourdes, it looks much sharper, but in reality it is the last 2,000 metre-plus strut of a long range.

See solution:

It was the Pic de Viscos (2.141m)The last peak of more than 2,000 metres of the long ridge that rises north of the Pic d'Ardiden (2,988m), separating the valley of Cauterets on one side and the valley of Luz St Sauveur / Gavarnie on the other. The photo is taken from Argeles Gazost, although it is most impressive from the motorway coming from Lourdes. If you are at the wheel, be careful not to take your eyes off the road, it is impossible. If you are interested, the most common route is the one that starts from the Luz Ardiden ski resort (circular; climb F; 5h; 10.3km; +/- 640m).

We are looking for this place #151:

This valley in the Pyrenees is unique for many reasons. Can you guess what it is?

    Tracks:

    1. Its east-west orientation is unusual among the main valleys of the axial zone of the Pyrenees.
    2. After the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, this region was split in two, with the north being under French administration (the only populated French territory on the Iberian Peninsula) and the south under Spanish administration.
    3. The mountain range in the background is the Cadí mountain range.

See solution:

This was Cerdanya or Cerdanya (in Catalan) as seen from Puigcerdà, the capital of this county in the south. The photo is taken towards the southwest, towards the Cadí mountain range, the great barrier that, together with the adjacent Moixeró mountain range and the Puigmal massif, protects this great valley to the south.

From a geological point of view, Cerdanya is a large tectonic trench (a subsidence) caused by Neogene normal faults that cut the relief of the Pyrenees at the end of their uplift. The result is a very wide valley, the largest in the Pyrenees, and flat, the result of the sedimentation of alluvial, deltaic and lacustrine materials. Another special feature of Cerdanya is its high level of sunshine, one of the highest in Europe, which is why Font-Romeu (Alta Cerdanya) is home to one of the two most powerful solar ovens in the world (1000 KW).

We are looking for this place #152:

How marvellous! Our nearby Pyrenees are an inexhaustible source of inspiration, adventure, beauty, majestic valleys to discover and beautiful mountains to climb. A chance to enjoy, each in their own way, but always with the utmost respect for the environment. Some people could spend the whole day contemplating this landscape without leaving the place; others, on the other hand, will prefer to go down to the valley to lose themselves in the leafy forest and admire a beautiful waterfall; the most demanding mountaineers will be attracted by the main peaks; and those who hunt for three thousand metres... the latter will experience some of their most memorable days here, travelling along the beautiful ridges that link these 16 peaks of over 3,000 metres.Which group do you belong to? do you recognise this place? the main summits? the 16 peaks over 3,000 metres?

    Tracks:

    1. This is one of the sectors with the highest concentration of three-thousanders, up to 41 (20 main and 21 secondary).
    2. The photograph is of the northern slope of the most easterly massif where the three mountain peaks of this sector are located, more specifically, it is taken from the vicinity of the ski resort.
    3. The road up to this ski resort is a road that the Tour de France used to ride on in the 60s, 70s and 80s, and where, for some, Perico Delgado gave the best performance of his career. It was 1989, the last time the Tour visited this place.

See solution:

It was the group of mountains that crown the head of the Lys valley as seen from near the Superbagnères ski resort. By the way, Perico's stage of the '89 Tour is available on Youtube (also highly recommended in the RTVE documentary; A crazy, crazy tour: 1989).

Specifically, the names of the 16 peaks over 3,000 metres that we saw were as follows: 1) Boum Peak / Tuca d'el Bom (3.005m), 2) Peak of Maupas / Tuca de Malpás (3,134m), 3) Navarro Peak / Tuca de Navarro (3.030m), 4) Rabadá Peak / Tuca de Rabadá (3,029m), 5) Tusse de Remuñe / Tuca d'el Cabo d'els Arenals (3.032m), 6) Jean Garnier Needle / Agulla de Crabiòles (3.025m), 7) Crabioules Oriental / Tuca de Crabiòles (3.099m), 8) Western Crabioules / Tuca de l'Estraperlo (3,100m), 9) Mamy Point (3,048m), 10) Lacq Point (3.010m), 11) Lower Aiguille Lézat (3,023m), 12) Central Needle SE of Lézat (3.037m), 13) Central Needle NW of Lézat (3.058m), 14) Aiguille Supérieure de Lézat (3,107m), 15) Pic Lézat or Pic Intermédiaire (3,107m) y 16) Grand Quayrat (3,060m).

We are looking for this place #153:

Even in the most crowded places it is enough to take a couple of crossings to be left alone, it doesn't fail!

    Tracks:

    1. Although the track below is used by shepherds and hikers, very few continue beyond the end and get these views of the valley from above.
    2. It is located in the Central Pyrenees, a short distance from a certain National Park.
    3. The river that meanders down there is a tributary of the Ara.

See solution:

This was the Otal valley, a beautiful U-shaped glacial valley located a short distance from Bujaruelo (2.5 km). If you want to visit it, we recommend this excursion from Bujaruelo ideal for children [5km round trip; +/-330m]. The photo, however, is taken from higher up, during the ascent of Otal (2,705m) through the Otal valley, a less frequented route than the Turbón ravine, which is not very busy either, to be honest.

We are looking for this place #154:

A refuge, a hydroelectric power station, sharp peaks, a deep valley covered by fog... Nice place that Patxi Latorre has sent us this week. Do you know which one it is? No? Let's see if with the clues he sends us we can find it.

    Tracks:

    1. The little valley is located on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees.
    2. The bottom of it is occupied by a hydroelectric power station and a shelter that was originally the home of its workers.
    3. It is accessed by a path carved out for the iron pipes to be carried by mules through a vertiginous gorge.

See solution:

Neste de Clarabide. The refuge is that of La Soula, and the gorge, the Gorges de Clarabide. A little further up is the charming Lac de Pouchergues.

We are looking for this place #155:

"It is a thrill to cross the xxxxxxx pass (1,990 metres above sea level). It is a horizontal ledge about a hundred metres long, open along its entire length next to a deep abyss, no more than a metre wide and offering no more than the precise places to set foot on. It does not appear to be very solid, but it is to be expected that it will be some years before it collapses for good" (Lucien Briet).

    Tracks:

    1. Prior to the installation of the pins in 1921, this was the passage through which shepherds and smugglers got past the circus.
    2. In the neighbouring circus there are other, more famous pegs, first cousins of the ones that were placed nearby to stop this pass.
    3. It is located in the Ordesa valley.

See solution:

It was the Fajeta, in the Carriata circus. Although Lucien Briet described it in this somewhat romantic way, the smugglers of the early 20th century saw it in a different light. Rafael Andolf collected the testimony of Antonio Nerín "Morilla", one of the most famous "paqueteros". He wrote the following about him: "If you had listened with astonishment to Antonio "Morilla", his solitary passage along the insignificant ledge of the Salarons wall, two hundred metres above the abyss, in the dark night, lit only by the flashes of lightning, soaked to the bone, carrying his bundle, with no other equipment than a pair of espadrilles and a sheepskin jacket, risking his life minute by minute, defying the cold, the clock and the cold, soaked to the bone, carrying his bundle, with no other equipment than his espadrilles and a sheepskin jacket, risking his life minute by minute, defying the cold, the clock and the carabinieri, you would not have envied him".

Both the first excerpt by Briet and the second by Rafael Andolf are taken from the book "La Brecha de Rolando", by Alberto Martínez Embid. Highly recommended.

We are looking for this place #156:

The mountain we are looking for this week is very special, what can I tell those of you who follow us from Navarre, you will surely have guessed it as soon as you see it.

Why is it so special? Well, for many reasons and although each of you probably have your own mountain, your own stories, this one evokes us to other times, when travelling to the Pyrenees, even if it was only 100 km, was an adventure.

    Tracks:

    1. According to the story, the monarchs of the three kingdoms that converge here used to meet to discuss problems.
    2. Not so much in the past, but nowadays, the most used route is the one that runs through Aragonese territory.
    3. Even if it has the name of a piece of furniture, nothing to do with it.

See solution:

Whether it was clear or not, the highest mountain in Navarre at 2,444 metres, the Table of the Three Kings (Castilian), Table des Trois Rois (French), Hiru Erregeen Mahaia (Basque), Iror Errege Maia (Roncalese Basque), Meseta d'os Tres Reis (Aragonese), or Tabla d'eths tros Rouyes (Béarnese Occitan).

Its name refers to the confluence of the kingdoms of Navarre, Aragon and the viscounty of Bearn. However, this is not entirely true, as the peak is shared between Navarre and Aragon and the true point where it meets Bearn would be located on the foreground to the east (the sloping plain seen in the photo to the right of the peak), at La Table (2.421m), as shown on the French IGN maps, which reserve the name Pico de los Tres Reyes for the true summit. In any case, the term table would refer to a plateau, as the Aragonese name suggests, and not to what you were thinking of.

In terms of mountaineering, the most common route to reach its summit is by far the one that starts from Linza (Aragón), the simplest of all and, in our opinion, the ugliest. For those who want to tackle this peak from below, we prefer to recommend the one that starts from Rincón de Belagua (Navarre) or the one that climbs from the Lescún valley (France), which has the most alpine landscapes. Another route with a lot of tradition is the one that starts from the Belagua refuge, which was once much more popular.

We are looking for this place #157:

Summit! A large milestone crowns the summit, the weather is good and it's still quite early. It is decided, we will also climb the peak in front of us, the one with the big gap, the highest of the ones around here. You know which is the peak in the background and from where the picture is taken, don't you? Let's go with some clues.

    Tracks:

    1. This place is on the border of the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.
    2. The peak at the bottom has a double summit, the highest being the western one, which the FEEC has selected for its "100 Cims" challenge.
    3. The ridge in front of us, along which the normal route runs, marks the dividing line between the Atlantic and Mediterranean basins.

See solution:

This was the Pics de Bassiero (2,904m) seen from the Pic d'Amitges (2,848m). The Pics de Bassiero is a double summit mountain separated by a gap (F), which is more dangerous than difficult due to the difficult terrain. Whoever wants to do the double summit will have to pass this pass twice, as the normal routes each descend to different slopes. The eastern summit or Punta Gourdon (2,897m) is climbed from the Aran valley, usually from the Peülla car park; while the western summit or Punta Brulle (2,903m) is usually climbed from the Estany de Sant Maurici via the Amitges refuge.

We are looking for this place #158:

Rock and loose stone, at more than 3,000 metres there is no space for life. Do you know which place it is?

    Tracks:

    1. The ridge in front of us has two summits of more than 3,000 metres according to Buyse's criteria.
    2. In the background you can see peaks such as Otal, Tendeñera, Collarada, Garmo Negro, Infiernos, Balaitús and many others.
    3. These are the two westernmost three-thousanders in this sector.

See solution:

These were the Gabietos, the Gabieto Occidental or South (3,035m) and the Gabieto Oriental or North (3,031m). The ascent to the Gabietos is usually combined with the Taillón when it is climbed from the Ordesa meadow (F), or from the col de Tentes or from Bujaruelo along the southwest ridge (PD-). I would recommend you not to underestimate the latter route. The climb is long and in some areas exposed. I would say that there are PD+ routes much more accessible than this one.

We are looking for this place #159:

The enormous glacier that must have originated this great valley has modelled a massif that is often compared to a horseshoe in shape. Do you know this mountain and the name of this valley?

    Tracks:

    1. Its isolated position to the south of the Pyrenean axis makes this mountain visible hundreds of kilometres to that side.
    2. While inland it forms a large valley, outwards it has 500-metre high cliffs.
    3. This is where Noah's Ark ran aground, where covens were held every Friday, where a dragon and a giant live, where all storms originate...

See solution:

This is the Coma de San Adrian valley, in the Turbón massif. One of the most prominent mountains on the Iberian Peninsula and one of the best viewpoints in the mountain range due to its isolated position away from the Pyrenean axis.

As is often the case with other unique mountains, the Turbón has been the subject of numerous legends. It is said that every Friday of the year, the witches of the country gathered here to celebrate their covens and worship the evil one in the form of a goat. It is also said that, after the waters of the universal flood receded, Noah's Ark ran aground here, to which he exclaimed "Ya turba l'arca", hence the name Turbón. Another legend says that the Pyrenean gods chose this place to build their forge, a forge that produces all the lightning of the storms. Also, that there was a dragon that decimated the livestock and that now sleeps hidden in a cave, and there are even those who have seen a giant, the Ome Granizo, who with his blowing caused strong gales.

We are looking for this place #160:

Have you heard of these needles? I'm sure many of you have photographed them at some time, but uploading them is another matter.

    Tracks:

    1. Going up or down this valley, the presence of these unique spires does not go unnoticed.
    2. Some time ago, the GR11 passed through the valley from where the photograph is taken.
    3. They are in the Aragonese Pyrenees.

See solution:

This was the Campanal de Izas (2,268m), the most pointed of this series of curious formations to the north of the Pala de Ip, in the Canal de Izas. Despite being very visible and photographed needles, the first ascent did not take place until 1963 by I. Falo, J. Mustienes and A. Vicente.

We are looking for this place #161:

This valley located in the heart of the central Pyrenees is not as famous as its neighbours, but it is full of peaks and lakes, like this one in the photograph. Could you tell us its name and which are the 3 peaks that stand out behind it?

    Tracks:

    1. Of the three peaks, two are "3,000" and the third a "2,900".
    2. If you want to visit this and other lakes, we recommend you take the circular route that partly follows one of the variants of the GR11.
    3. Of the four lakes along this route, this one, at an altitude of over 2,500 metres, is the highest of them all.

See solution:

This was the ibón d'es Leners or Lenés with the Eristes Norte (3,031m) and Central (3,056m) and the peak of Sen (2,949m) in the background. The Eristes, also called Bagüeñola peaks, are called Eriste because of the village below them in the Benasque valley, although in this case, the photo is not taken from that valley but from the valley of Gistaín or Chistau.

In any case, if you would like to visit this place, we recommend you this circular route to the lakes of Pixón, Solana/Luzeros, Leners and Millarsvery TOP.

We are looking for this place #162:

The views from this peak towards the first three Pyrenean peaks are impressive. Can you tell us from where the photograph was taken and which five peaks are in the foreground?

    Tracks:

    1. The massif in front of us is the first to surpass the 3,000 metre barrier coming from the Cantabrian Sea.
    2. The peak from which the photograph is taken narrowly misses that figure.
    3. The first ascent to the summit of the massif in front of us took place in 1825 by the geodesists Peytier and Hossard, and today, a foreground on the northern slope commemorates the name of these pioneers.

See solution:

This was the Balaitous massif as seen from the Palas peak (2,974m). The names of the 5 three-thousanders can be seen in the following photograph, although for reasons of space we have not included the double names of some of the peaks. They would be the following: 1) Balaitous or Pico Moros, 2) Aguja Cadier or Punta dera Breca, 3) Frondella Norte, 4) Pico de la Frondella or Punta Alta deras Frondiellas, 5) Frondella Central. In addition, the Frondella ridge is completed with the Western Frondella (2,992m), considered for years in many publications to be another 3,000m.

We are looking for this place #163:

This week's search for the final part of a well-known mountain in Navarre was sent to us by Llorenç Pinsach. Let's go there with the clues.

    Tracks:

    1. This is a popular mountain in the Navarrese Pyrenees. To the south it overlooks the valley of Malerreka and towns such as Zubieta, Ituren, Elgorriaga and Doneztebe; to the north the view takes in the Baztan and the eastern Bay of Biscay.
    2. On its summit stands the Ermita de la Trinidad (Trinity Chapel).
    3. Although modest, from the valley there is a steep slope to overcome.

See solution:

The photograph is of Mendaur (1,131m), in the Atlantic area of Navarre. Although it is undoubtedly a mountain of very modest height, its proximity to the Cantabrian Sea means that there is a difference in altitude of between 900 and 1000 metres on any of its normal routes. At its summit there is a hermitage dedicated to the Trinity from 1963, built on top of the previous one from 1693, which is reached after climbing 60 steps.

We are looking for this place #164:

More than a seaside resort, this imposing neoclassical building looks like a fortress straight out of an Indiana Jones or James Bond movie. Can you tell us which place it is?

    Tracks:

    1. Since the closure of the spa in 2009, the deterioration of the building has been unstoppable.
    2. A small road leads up to the 1,720 metres above sea level where it is located, which was once the highest spa in Spain.
    3. A variant of the GR11 passes through this place.

See solution:

This was the Benasque Baths, located on the left bank of this valley, 11 km from the town. Without going into too much detail, here are four historical details: the first references to the therapeutic use of its waters date back to 1522 by the Benasque apothecary Francisco Frigoiti; in 1801, the Benasque-born Antonio Cornel, Minister of War, ordered the construction of a house that would later be improved; during the Civil War the facilities were burnt down and rebuilt and modernised at the end of the conflict; in 2019 the baths closed down. And a curiosity, the legend advises that no one should bathe in these waters more than nine times if they do not want to expose themselves to the curse of the devils who are imprisoned in this cave and who are the reason why the water comes out at 37ºC.

We are looking for this place #165:

From autumn to spring, when many torrents that are usually dry wake up from their summer lethargy, is the best time to visit the waterfalls, and even better, after heavy rains. Don't think twice, grab your rubber boots and mackintosh, we're going to...

    Tracks:

    1. The valley of Salazar, in Navarre.
    2. To one of those forgotten valleys that are left behind when we drive to the Pyrenees.
    3. From the hermitage or from the previous village, that of the petrol station, there is a short route of an hour and a half, ideal for visiting this secluded spot.

See solution:

This was the Orkatua waterfall, located in the Azurre ravine, a tributary of the river Salazar halfway between the towns of Oronz and Ezcároz. This waterfall is notable for its large calcareous tuff, a type of rock formed by the precipitation of calcium carbonate, often on living plants such as mosses, branches, etc., which gives it a fragile appearance.

If you want to visit it, a 6.7-kilometre local path starts at Oronz and goes past the hermitage of San Pedro and up the Azurre ravine to the waterfall. The return is along the Iturrotza path, making it a completely circular route.

We are looking for this place #166:

This week, thinking about the micro-story competition, that winter night in this refuge came to my mind, do you recognise it? Nothing special, soup for dinner, a game of cards, laughter, putting the world to rights, studying the next day's route, silence, time to think, to read, to write... Those things we usually do in refuges, true temples of mountaineering.

    Tracks:

    1. It is located in the Chistau valley, in the Posets-Maladeta natural park.
    2. Although it is very close to the track that runs through the valley, its presence goes unnoticed in the middle of the forest.
    3. In March 2023, the 1TP5Dignifiedfreerefugees refurbished this shelter. Great job!

See solution:

This was the Es Plans hut, one of the best free huts in the Pyrenees. It is in the Chistau valley, near the Virgen Blanca campsite, but on the other side of the river. It has two floors. A ground floor with an entrance/loft and a large room with a large table, benches and a characteristic mural that gives it a touch of colour; and a second attic floor accessed by a staircase, with a wooden floor and space for 15 or 20 people.

We are looking for this place #167:

We continue this week with another refuge, a very characteristic one, but this time, in the Catalan Pyrenees. Can you guess which one it is? Doesn't it remind you of 4 other refuges very close to us?

    Tracks:

    1. Located at an altitude of 2,517 metres, it is one of the highest refuges in the Pyrenees.
    2. It is located in a privileged setting, surrounded by ponds and peaks of around 2,900 metres.
    3. It is at the gateway to the Principality of Andorra.

See solution:

This was the Baiau or "Josep María Montfort" refuge. It is located in the cirque of Baiau, at the head of the Ferrera valley, a strategic place for those who come on the GR11, just before/after the Port de Baiau (2,757m). It was/is conceived as an emergency refuge, to cover only unforeseen situations, where hikers need shelter due to weather conditions or physical problems. It has a capacity for 9 people and is equipped with mattresses, an emergency transmitter and blankets. Inaugurated in 1981, it was built by a group of volunteers, members of the FEEC shelter committee, in the Sarria neighbourhood, in Hort de la Vila street. The shelter is sponsored by the Els Blaus Hiking Centre since 2015. To reach it, we will follow the GR11. from the Pla de la Molinassa (3 hours) or from Arinsal (4h30min), on the Andorran side. 

We are looking for this place #168:

The ascent of this mountain, in winter or summer, is one of those classics that cannot be missed.

    Tracks:

    1. Coming from the Cantabrian there is no other mountain that exceeds it in height.
    2. When the snow turns the petrified "glacier" at your feet into a meringue, the ascent on skis is a marvel, but beware, under the white mantle are hidden crevasses so dark and deep that they seem to have no bottom.
    3. In Basque mythology, his importance was such that they had made him their Olympus and named the whole Pyrenean chain after him.

See solution:

It was the Anie or Auñamendi (mountain of the little goats), but also Ahunemendi (mountain whipped by the north-east wind), the first peak to exceed 2,500 metres in height coming from the Bay of Biscay and the highest and most beautiful of the mountains that dominate the great karst plateau of Larra. A unmissable ascent.

We are looking for this place #169:

Covered by leafy beech forests, the smooth, rounded peaks of this part of the Navarrese Pyrenees, on the other hand, are bare, at the mercy of the freezing winter wind and pasture for livestock all year round. This modest elevation that we are pointing out and which undoubtedly goes unnoticed among so many others, nevertheless has something special about it. Difficult? Let's see if with the tracks...

    Tracks:

    1. It is debatable but, at this summit, the Pyrenees separate into two ranges, the one that goes towards the coast to submerge and put an end to these mountains, and the one that could mark the beginning of the Cantabrian Mountains.
    2. As can be imagined, it lies on the Cantabrian-Mediterranean divide.
    3. The eastern slope is flanked by the GR11.

See solution:

It was about Iparraldeko Kaskoa (1,199m)This is one of the numerous hills between the Artesiaga and Urkiaga passes, and, as we mentioned on the first track, it is geographically of some interest. A highly recommended route if you want to visit the area, is the ascent to the Okoro from Artesiaga and descent of Mount Erreguerena.