J. HUGUET

A short hike starting from Besurta after taking the park bus from L’Hospital. This is followed by an ascent to the refuge, including a circular route to the ibon that very few hikers take. You then need to head back down to the refuge before setting off towards the pass via a steep climb of about 20 minutes. Descend towards Le Plan, enjoying numerous views along the way. Once at Le Plan, head for the waterfall at the back of the cirque for a relaxing break amidst the stunning scenery. Return via Le Plan, where you’re likely to come across far more people. The descent back to the Besurta car park is fairly quick. There’s a very pretty waterfall on the way out of Le Plan.

Park at the free car park in Estos. Follow the GR® as it climbs gradually, passing close to the Embiase and then the Ana hut. Then turn left towards the Batisielles ibonet. We choose to continue towards the upper lakes: a steep and demanding climb to the Gran de Batisielles ibon, followed by a gentler slope to the Aigüeta ibon. Lunch break by the lake after a short scrambling section. Return via the Ibon d’Escarpinosa: a more technical route with numerous scree slopes, where you must follow the cairns closely and remain vigilant, even in the forest. Once in Escarpinosa, we take a circular route to explore the two ibons, where a few locals are swimming in August. The descent alternates between steep slopes and more gentle trails before rejoining the GR®, the perfect way to round off this beautiful, long day.

A hike following the Remuné ravine, classified as ‘moderate’ by the Tourist Office, but we found the route to be more technical due to the numerous scree slopes and small streams, which made the rocks slippery. Some of the climbs are steep but over short distances; you climb whilst enjoying views of the various surrounding peaks and the sound of the waterfalls. The upper Ibons were almost dry, but the plateau then allows you to climb up to the Ibon de Remuné, which offers a little haven of tranquillity. A pleasant outing, though longer than expected.

One of the most beautiful hikes in the area, featuring a lovely, technical circular route that can be challenging at times due to steep gradients. It’s best to follow the suggested route. There are numerous mountain lakes to explore, magnificent landscapes offering varied views of the surrounding mountain ranges, and a brand-new mountain refuge (where you can enjoy a meal or stop for a picnic).