Up to the lakes in the Chistau valley
Following a stream up a wooded ravine, this route makes use of the GR-11.2 footpath as it ventures into the Posets massif. In mid-July, areas of deep snow remained in the upper reaches of the north-facing Val de la Ribereta, with the waymarked path ascending towards...
Up and around the Chistau pass
The Chistau pass (Puerto de Chistau) at 2,577 metres is a point of some significance in the Pyrenees. It is the bridge between two important valleys; the Valle de Benasque to the east and Valle de Chistau to the west. In times gone by, local people would have used the...
Cantavieja to Fortanete
The GR-8 leaves Cantavieja on the western side of the Old Town. To get on the footpath, walk up the Calle Mayor, passing the tourist office. Go as far as Calle Calvo Sotelo, just before the porticoed square, and turn left to head down to the town walls. Spot the...
From Benasque to Viadós on the GR-11
This route goes up the long Estós valley, following the river of the same name. It crosses over the Puerto de Chistau at 2,577 metres before descending to the Viadós mountain refuge. The Estós valley is flanked by two magnificent massifs; to the right (north) is...
In the land of the giants
The giants of the Maladeta massif stand close to Benasque, making it a favourite destination for mountain walkers and climbers. The peaks of Aneto (3,404 metres), Pico Maldito (3,350m) and Pico de la Maladeta (3,308m) form part of a striding ridgeline flanked by...
Val d’Aran route to Ratera pass
This route takes in another landscape dominated by glacial lakes and ascends to the wonderful mountain area around the Port de Ratera pass, which is the high-point of the walk at 2,594 metres. It almost a round walk, with the path circling the Tuc de Sendrosa mountain...
Dung and tranquillity; the other side of Baquiera Beret
It may seem a bit odd to be highlighting a walk in the playground of Barcelona’s super-rich. Fortunately, Beret in the Val d’Aran, is a lot more than that. This route sets out from one of the car parks of the Baqueira Beret ski resort. Here we can see...
Valley walks from Benasque
The lower part of the Estós valley is a good option for those who prefer gradual ascents. A wide track runs up the picturesque valley following the River Estós and the signs of the GR-11 long-distance footpath. As height is gained there are views across to the...
Up to Aiguallut
The ascent to the Plan d’Aiguallut, close to the France border – starting from the very top of the Benasque valley – is walking at its best. The route sets out from the meadow at the Hospital de Benasque, with ‘hospital’ being a place that offered hospitality to...
Glacial glut in the Gerber valley (part 1)
This route is littered with glacial lakes. There are at least 12 to be seen on the ascent of the Gerber valley, some of which are small and without names; others much larger and ringed by summits. Not forgetting the three beauties which can be viewed on the other side...
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