Estany de Besiberri

A classic in the Val d'Aran, an ascent to Lake Besiberri via the Val de Besiberri with magnificent views of the Besiberri, the Sèrra del Molar Gran and the Aneto.

Details

10666225
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.02 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 550 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 557 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,005 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,510 m

Photos

Description of the walk

On leaving the Vielha Tunnel in the direction of Lleida, after 900 m, you'll see a parking area on your left. Turn right onto an access road which allows you to cross the N-230 in complete safety.

From the large truck parking area, take a small road where vehicles over 3.5 t are not allowed, and park a little further on in an area on the edge of the forest.

(S/E) Continue southwards, crossing the Ribagorzana and arriving after a few metres at a crossroads. On the left, the road continues towards the Refuge Forestal de Conangles (where you can get something to eat on the way back). Turn right onto the Besiberri track for about 700 m, until you come to a footpath on the left.

(1) Follow this path to cut all the twists and turns of the uphill track and stay as close as possible to the torrent coming from Besiberri Lake.
It climbs steeply through the forest, after 100 m, cross the track for the first time, continue straight ahead, cross the track a second time at a hairpin bend and continue straight ahead on the path. Pass a waterfall, cross the track a third time at a hairpin bend and continue straight on.
Rejoin the trail at its terminus on the edge of the torrent, at a flat spot where you can refuel the fire-fighting trucks.

(2) Continue on the only path up to the lake and the Besiberri Refugi. It climbs steeply, first on the right bank, then over a footbridge to the left bank of the torrent and on to the lake spillway.

(3) At the Besiberri Lake, enjoy a magnificent view of the Cirque des Besiberri. The path remains on the left bank of the lake and continues through a rocky chaos to an idyllic flat grassy spot for a rest.

(4) For the return journey, retrace your steps back to the track.

(2) Follow it downhill to the parking area (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,554 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 1.06 - alt. 1,525 m - Path on the left
  3. 2 : km 1.69 - alt. 1,665 m - End of track
  4. 3 : km 3.17 - alt. 1,992 m - Lake Besiberri
  5. 4 : km 3.43 - alt. 1,988 m - End of itinerary
  6. S/E : km 8.02 - alt. 1,554 m - Car park

Notes

(4) For the more courageous, there's the option of continuing towards the unguarded Refugi de Besiberri, a small tin shelter on a rocky outcrop to the left of the torrent. The climb is 200 m and 1.5 km longer, but the view is magnificent.

You will need to be well equipped with ankle-protecting boots. The trail progresses over difficult terrain with passages through rocky chaos.

Catering and accommodation available at the Refugi Forestal de Conangles. The Refugi de Besiberri is not guarded, so no catering facilities are available.

Worth a visit

The panorama from the lake shore, starting to the North, is as follows: Tuc de Contesa (2777 m), Tosal des Estanyets (2886 m), Besiberri North (3007 m), Besiberri del Mitg (2995 m), Besiberri South (3024 m), hidden by El Cometa (2693 m) and Pic de la Torreta (2952 m). To see Besiberri South, you need to advance into the cirque towards the Refugi du Besiberri.
Full West, in the distance, the Aneto.
On the way down to Lleida, you can visit El Val de Boi and its Romanesque churches, Santa Eulalia de Erill La Vall, San Juan de Boi and the churches of Santa Maria and San Clemente de Taüll.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
regis31
regis31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Completed in February 2026 in bright sunshine and with quite a lot of snow. Crampons and snowshoes required. The final steep climb before the cirque is fairly easy in summer but should be tackled with caution in winter.

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Nous en rando
Nous en rando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike to do with crampons at this time of year. It's quite a climb, especially at the end. We didn't go all the way to the last point; we didn't want to risk walking on the lake.

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bidiman
bidiman

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a superb hike, challenging but manageable rocky sections; stunning scenery, even though Aneto was shrouded in clouds; a divine moment, especially the arrival at the lake, as is often the case

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BARRABES
BARRABES
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike in beautiful weather. The entire climb up to the lake is shaded by trees. There are beautiful waterfalls along the way that are not to be missed. When you emerge from the woods, you are greeted by a stunning view of the lake, the cirque and the peaks of the Besiberri mountains. We took advantage of the good weather to continue on to the Besiberri refuge.

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User 2446498

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with a lovely shaded section in the forest. Sometimes a little challenging due to the climb over rocks (not recommended in wet weather). The reward is a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains, perfect for a picnic.

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massat.lionel
massat.lionel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Guidance with GPS position even without a network. Nickel

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Lorenzo Valla
Lorenzo Valla

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beware that there is still a lot of snow on this route at the end of April. Due to a lack of suitable equipment, we had to turn back a little before the lake. When the weather's fine and there's no snow, it's sure to be a wonderful hike.

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Philippe ROY
Philippe ROY

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely walk in fine, warm weather in mid-August.
Relatively busy up to the first lake, which is magnificent and invites you to relax. Lots of vegetation, beautiful trees and a bit of fresh air.
Don't hesitate to continue to the bottom of the valley, with its beautiful and varied scenery and few people. Small lake at the bottom of the valley at the foot of a large rock on which is the Besiberri refuge.

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chafrise
chafrise

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The signposting is impeccable, so it's impossible to get lost. Much of the route is under the cover of trees, so can be done in hot weather. Superb views from the pond.

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RAND19
RAND19

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice discovery,
First part easy, second section steeper climb, there are still a few névés around the lake to reach the end, but don't worry, just be careful not to end up in the lake.
The lake is well worth the diversions, and the atmosphere is so inviting that you'll want to swim in it, and the water is superb. The cirque in which the lake nestles is magnificent. Isards and marmots all around.
Thank you for sharing.

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namb
namb

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

We were blocked by snow 50 m below the pass on 26 March 2022, so it was a shame we didn't get to see the pond. The end is too steep for snowshoes and with the snow it would have been better to have spikes. A seasoned cutter went through anyway.

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saxodu31
saxodu31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The final stretch to the lake is quite steep but manageable. We did it with a thin layer of snow and three icy spots on the last ascent. Go carefully, especially on the descent, for a marvellous panorama of the snow-covered cirque, and the weather was fine despite the 0°C.

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