{"id":20123,"date":"2017-11-13T09:39:55","date_gmt":"2017-11-13T08:39:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travesiapirenaica.com\/?p=20123"},"modified":"2020-11-19T09:48:28","modified_gmt":"2020-11-19T08:48:28","slug":"aiguestortes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travesiapirenaica.com\/en\/aiguestortes\/","title":{"rendered":"Aig\u00fcestortes and Sant Maurici Lake"},"content":{"rendered":"

We visited the Westernmost Catalan Pyrenees<\/strong>or, in other words, the environment of the Aig\u00fcestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park<\/strong><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This area of the Pyrenees attracts a multitude of French and Spanish skiers<\/strong> who come to practice this sport in the Espot resort<\/strong>and which is very accessible internationally because of the proximity to Toulouse airport<\/strong> or with flights to Barcelona<\/strong><\/strong>. Many of those who set out to visit the site of the National Park<\/strong> elect the people of Espot<\/strong> to stay in one of its hotels or rural houses. In addition, its proximity to the winter season of Espot Ski<\/strong><\/strong> have turned it into a very well-equipped village in terms of services and access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The surroundings of Espot are surrounded by valleys and mountain ranges dotted by dozens of lakes and ponds,<\/strong> however, is that of Sant Maurici<\/strong>The closest to the municipality is the one that gives its name to the Park. Sant Maurici is 1,910 metres above sea level.<\/strong> above sea level and its origin is evidently, glacier.<\/strong> It is 1,100 metres long and some 200 metres wide, which makes it a real ice rink during the winter months.<\/strong> However, Sant Maurici is not the only postcard that will surprise you. If we look up, it is easy to make out the peaks of the Encantats<\/strong>which impose their 2,700 metres above sea level<\/strong> to defend the lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easy excursions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nature lovers can enjoy this impressive natural paradise located in the heart of the Lleida Pyrenees. Its landscapes are characterised by the presence of more than 200 lakes or \"estanys\", its high mountain meanders or \"aig\u00fcestortes\" and forests of centenary black pines, firs, Scots pines, birches and beeches that shelter specimens of fauna of alpine or boreal origin such as chamois, capercaillie, marmot and the mythical bearded vulture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a wide variety of excursions in the park. Here you can observe glacial phenomena such as U-shaped valleys and beautiful lakes. Some of the summits have imposing heights approaching 3,000 metres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During our walk, we will come across small lagoons that interrupt the lush vegetation;<\/strong> y waterfalls such as La Ratera<\/strong>which honours Aig\u00fcestortes (Tortuous Waters)<\/strong>. In short, the most accessible and important part in terms of natural and scenic value is to be found in this part of the National Park. It is highly advisable to visit it, as well as at this time of the year, in the following seasons summer and early autumn<\/strong> when the snow leaves visible the paths and green meadows.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multi-day routes and treks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is another granite massif dotted with hundreds of lakes and tarns. Huts are close by, so there is great flexibility in planning, with routes lasting 5 to 7 days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aig\u00fcestortes - The Besiberri Massif <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Gento lake, Colomina refuge, Mar lake and Sabur\u00f3 lake.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Estany Gento can be reached on foot from the Sallente reservoir in an hour and a half's walk. Another option is to take the cable car that connects these two points, open only during the summer. From there, the path will take you to the Colomina lake and a refuge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cavallers dam, Riumalo waterfall, Negre lake<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The route allows you to fully appreciate the imposing 3,000-metre peaks that make up this natural park. The peculiar erosion of the glaciers caused this path to run between smooth, polished granite rocks until it reaches Lake Nerre, with a few black pines that are resistant to the weather conditions. Above the lake is the Ventosa y Calvell refuge, the end of the route, which must have taken about 2 hours and 15 minutes. From there, hikers can access the lake area in the highest part of the valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other routes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n