la Vall de Boí walks

The Val de Boí is particularly well known for its many Romanesque churches, whose original frescoes are preserved at the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) in Barcelona. This valley is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But it is also the gateway to the Aigüestortes National Park. The suggested route is a discovery walk, a return trip that can therefore be adapted to suit. The scenery is breathtaking.

A very beautiful hike in Spain, south of Vielha. There are numerous lakes: this is the largest concentration of lakes in the Pyrenees. The peaks are around 3,000 metres high and almost all are only accessible by mountaineering. The refuges are pleasant but small, so it is essential to book several months in advance.

This is the first stage of a four-day circuit in the Encantats. It is the shortest stage and can be completed in an afternoon, but it is best not to arrive too late at the large refuges so that you can choose your bed and not have to wait too long for a shower.

This is the second stage of this four-stage loop in the Encantats. There are numerous lakes between these two refuges with beautiful ascents and descents. No technical difficulties, but some scree that is not very pleasant.

This challenging hike, situated in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, takes you to discover the Estanys de Anglios, a magnificent series of high-altitude lakes located off the beaten track of the Aigüestortes National Park’s main routes. The first section, mostly through woodland, follows the GR® 11 and leads to the Estany Gran, an ideal spot for a picnic break. The rest of the route requires a good sense of direction and experience of navigating difficult terrain with few landmarks. Nevertheless, the various lakes you’ll encounter and the beauty of the scenery will easily make you forget these challenges: torrents of all sizes, lakes with crystal-clear waters, enchanting woodland and an exceptional natural cirque.

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.

This easy hike takes you past a dozen or so lakes in the Cirque de Colomèrs, which has around thirty in total, some identified and others unnamed. The landscape is magnificent, combining pine undergrowth carpeted with rhododendrons and large areas of rounded rocks dotted with lakes of all sizes fed by crystal-clear torrents. On the way back, a stop at the Colomèrs Refuge allows you to conclude this circular route by enjoying the Estanh Major, into which multiple waterfalls flow. A summary of the Aygues Tortes and San Maurici National Park in all its splendour.

The Colomèrs lake circuit is a massif of mountains arranged in a circle, protecting some fifty lakes ("estanhs") in its bosom. The slow erosion of frost during the Ice Ages has left an inescapable landscape: a high mountain area with high, steep peaks of around 3,000m, such as Creu de Colomèrs, Gran Tuc de Colomèrs and Tuc de Ratera.

A lovely loop from Espitau de Vielha via Tuc deth port de Vielha (2,606 m), the magnificent Lac Redon (2,230 m), Coret deth Redon (2,454 m) and finally Lac de Rius (2,320 m). It goes up and down, and the slopes are quite steep. Very rocky landscape. Hike done in summer. Lac de Rius, which is pumped in summer and during periods of drought, can see its level drop by several metres, which detracts a little from its charm.

Long stage between Amitges and Colomina: splendid views of the ridges and valley, crossing summer pastures and forests. Passing by the Estany Llong refuge. The gentle but long descent leads to the Colomina refuge, a peaceful haven after this beautiful day in the mountains.

This second stage offers a return route to the Banhs de Tredos via the Sendrosa Pass (Coth deth tuc Gran de Sendrosa). The ascent of the Tuc Gran de Sendrosa is optional for hikers with sure-footedness. This option, which is well worth the detour for the exceptional view from the summit, involves a 300-metre climb along the rocky ridge and requires using your hands on relatively easy climbing holds (PD), though there are a few exposed sections where a sure footing is essential. The descent is always slightly more technical than the ascent. Not recommended for inexperienced walkers or those prone to vertigo. This route is well worth the effort for its wild scenery, the flowers and the abundant vegetation in June. The descent from the pass is quite long and a little steep before rejoining the Day 1 trail, just below the Taxis car park.

Third and penultimate stage of this loop in the Encantats. Still lots of beautiful lakes and magnificent jagged peaks silhouetted against the sky. Significant elevation gain and sometimes tricky paths with steep slopes, scree and sections with ropes, which fortunately were already in place.

Fourth and final stage of this loop in the Encantats. No technical difficulties except for the length of the descent once you have passed the first pass. Magnificent view of the Encantats in the morning as you leave the refuge.

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.

No particular difficulty and a beautiful hike. There is a taxi service that will take you from our departure point to our arrival point for €5 per person. It is not possible to drive your car to the arrival point for the start of the lake hike.

This route around the Colomèrs lakes allows you to explore part of the magnificent Aigues Tortes (Les Encantats) National Park. Flowers, rhododendrons, torrents and streams, and peaks offering breathtaking views over all the lakes await you. This hike is suitable for those with some experience of mountain walking; less experienced walkers may choose to skip the two peaks on the route (Tuc de Ratera, 2,860 m – not covered on Day 1 – and Tuc Gran de Sendrosa, 2,703 m, on Day 2). The route is classified as difficult due to its length and the steep slopes on Day 1, as well as the summit on Day 2. The route can be extended by starting with a night at the Colomers mountain hut, which will allow you to complete a longer loop around the lakes of the same name before reaching the Saboredo mountain hut.

A lovely walk featuring a fairly steep climb to the Port de Ratera, but no other difficulties. Magnificent scenery of lakes, pine trees and rhododendrons (early in the season). A good overview of the Aigues Tortes park and the Encantats.

This is the shortest road route from France for climbing Aneto in a (long...) day, without camping or staying in a mountain hut.