Estany di Sant Maurici towards Amitges Refuge

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Magnificent hiking in the Aigüestortes y Estani de Sant Maurici National Park. You'll come across numerous mountain lakes that are unique to this park.

Details

n°24461994
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.67 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 550 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 553 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,371 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,904 m
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Lake Amitges
Estany Sant Maurici

Description of the walk

The starting point for this hike is the cab rank in Espot. If you don't want to pay the 4x4 fare, you can park at the free Prat de Pierro car park and add 8.5 km (2h30) to the hike.

(S/E) Take the path along the Estany de Sant Maurici towards Ratera. Along the way, in the shade, you'll come across the Ratera waterfall. Rejoin the GR®11 supported by the 4x4 track.

(1) Follow this sunny left-hand track along the Estany de Ratera lake.

(2) Choose to take the path to the Amitges Refuge by turning right. It climbs in full sunshine but offers excellent views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.

(3) After the Amitges Refuge, you can continue for five minutes to admire the Estany d'Amitges and the "Agujas de Amitges" (Needles of Amitges) in the background. Turn around at the lake.

(4) Take the path on the right to avoid having to take the same road again. The path is gravelled and very pleasant.

(5) Return to the GR®11 towards Estany de Sant Maurici. The lake is pleasant and offers plenty of places to take a break.

(6) Cross the stream (GR®11 signs are missing at this point).

(7) Turn towards the viewpoint.

(8) Detour around the mirador to admire the view of the lake, then turn right towards the lake. Some passages on the edge of the mountain are quite narrow and you have to pass over piles of stones.

(9) Turn left downhill towards the lake.

(10) Turn left towards Sant Maurici.

(11) Keep left to reach the lake and follow the dam to the edge of the lake (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,919 m - Arrival point for Espot taxis
  2. 1 : km 1.58 - alt. 2,095 m - Track
  3. 2 : km 2.42 - alt. 2,154 m - Bifurcation
  4. 3 : km 4.47 - alt. 2,361 m - Estany d'Amitges
  5. 4 : km 4.98 - alt. 2,351 m - Path on the right
  6. 5 : km 5.89 - alt. 2,256 m - GR11
  7. 6 : km 6.66 - alt. 2,192 m - Ruisseau
  8. 7 : km 6.84 - alt. 2,177 m - To the watchtower
  9. 8 : km 7.12 - alt. 2,168 m - Diversions to the viewpoint
  10. 9 : km 7.82 - alt. 2,177 m - Descent to the lake
  11. 10 : km 8.55 - alt. 2,046 m - Junction towards Sant Maurici
  12. 11 : km 9.9 - alt. 1,936 m - Intersection
  13. S/E : km 10.67 - alt. 1,919 m - Taxi waiting point

Notes

Plenty of places to stop and admire the scenery. Numerous rivers and lakes along the way.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 27663885

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Taken in mid-September, on a very quiet Friday! There is another option: climb up to the port of Ratera and make a circular route, returning via the Refugio d'Amitges. Many Spanish people do this route, but it is not marked on any maps, not even the park map, which is a shame! The landscape is extraordinary!

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MICHEL.SOL
MICHEL.SOL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

When possible, it is worth continuing beyond the Amitges refuge towards the peaks of Saboredo or Amitges. There are no particular difficulties apart from an additional 500 m of elevation gain, but what a reward! The route is well marked.

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nathy1
nathy1

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A WONDERFUL LOOP!

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Cafougnette
Cafougnette

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty walk to recommend! Quite easy with no difficulties! Lovely route with some great viewpoints! Reasonably frequented, but then less so as you get higher up!
Only downside: you need to take a taxi if you want to avoid the Espot-San Maurici section, which we did the day before on foot! This section, done on foot, adds almost 4 hours to the hike!

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PatGilles34
PatGilles34

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thanks to the author. We arrived at the refuge in a breathtaking landscape, with still a little snow in places, and the lake frozen on the surface. We took a taxi up from Espot (€23 return for 2 to the lake). You're in for a real treat all the way up, with all these successive lakes. I'd definitely recommend it.

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FRED60
FRED60

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely circuit with the option of doing a loop. Accessible to all, with visits to 6 lakes!

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Marius26
Marius26

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful circuit where the crowds at the start fade fairly quickly. The track up to the refuge is not very interesting, particularly because of the frequent 4X4 traffic.
At the refuge, you absolutely must do a short circuit to discover 3 lakes (+40 mins).
The descent is much wilder, with splendid views of the Encantats.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.