Tour of the Cirque dels Pessons lakes

This hike allows you to discover most of the lakes in the Cirque des Pessons while avoiding the crowds of hikers thanks to two off-trail sections that are therefore very little or not at all frequented. No fewer than sixteen lakes are on the itinerary, some identified and others unnamed. A wild landscape with rounded rocks shaped by ancient glaciers, streams and crystal-clear lakes, mountain pines... all this makes for an unforgettable experience, despite the difficulty of some sections.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.37 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 518 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 519 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,592 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,106 m

Photos

Description of the walk

In Andorra, leave the CG-2 going up to or down from the Col d'Envalira, depending on the direction of arrival, and head towards the Grau Roig station, indicated by a large sign. Pass the first car park on the left and continue to cross the stream called Valira d'Orient and reach the second car park.

No markings

(S/E) Head towards the medical centre, identifiable by its large red cross, go around it on the left, passing under the trees along the edge of the stream, and cross the large area where the resort's numerous chairlift departures are located.

(1) Turn right onto the track towards the "3 Estanys" restaurant, pass it and begin a steady climb. Ignore a track on the left (earthworks in July 2022) and continue to the right. You will reach a fork in the road located in a bend.

Yellow and red markings

Continue straight ahead and you will soon reach Estany Primer. Turn right to walk alongside the mountain restaurant.

Round yellow markings

(2) Leave the track and turn left onto a narrow rocky path that climbs through the mountain pines. Once on flat ground, take a short detour to the left to reach the banks of Estany Forcat. Turn back and take the marked path on the left, which starts to climb again.

You will reach a first pond that is smaller than the previous one. Continue along several other smaller ponds on your right.

Off the trail

(3) When the trail begins to climb, leave it and head right towards the small stream that feeds these ponds: I have placed a cairn at this junction. Once you reach the stream, follow it up to the left on a gentle slope through grassy terrain and rounded rocks. Keep going in the same direction to pass by the first pond, then the second, and reach the third, which is larger than the previous ones and dominated by the reddish walls of Pic Alt del Cubil.

(4) After enjoying this haven of peace, turn your back on the pond and head south up a grassy valley, aiming for a small pine tree with a single branch visible on the ridge. Once at the top, locate the path you left earlier straight ahead and rejoin it not far from a small pond on the left that is drying up.

Yellow round markings

Turn right and walk about 150 m to discover Sisè Estany below on the left. Look for the very faint trail that leads in this direction: I have placed a cairn at this intersection, which is not very visible.

(5) Follow this trail to reach the pond where it joins theGR®7-Andorra.

White and redGR® markings

Turn right. When you reach a marker post, continue straight ahead and go around Estany de les Fonts on the right. Then begin a fairly steep climb over rocky terrain with increasingly sparse grassy patches.

Off the trail

(6) Leave theGR® by turning left (south) and head towards Estany del Cap dels Pessons. Follow the bank on the left towards the outlet. Cross it, go around a small pond on the right and you will come to a huge rocky area with no landmarks (cairns or paint).

(7) To cross it, keep heading east then veer north-east, choosing the best route: you will need to watch out for unstable rocks and use your hands regularly to get across some sections. The route recorded on site is indicative and corresponds to what seemed to me to be the least problematic, avoiding the largest rocks. Of course, other routes are possible. The earth and rhododendrons follow the rocky chaos and make progress easier. Reach the banks of the pond.

(8) Turn right to walk along it, staying as close to the water as possible. At the end of the pond, climb up a grassy area, veering to the left. You will reach a small pass from where you can see another pond. To avoid a rather tricky direct descent, turn left and look for a tiny pond further on that is drying up (not shown on the map but visible on Google Earth). Head towards it on much easier terrain, now a mixture of exposed rocks and grassy areas.

Once you reach this pond, turn right to reach the other, much larger pond. Go around it on the left.

(9) Once you reach the eastern end, turn sharply left. When you reach a small pass, you will see a small pond in the distance on the right (not shown on the map): do not head towards it, but instead go diagonally to the left, passing at the foot of a rocky outcrop and heading towards a solitary pine tree. Once you reach the pine tree, continue straight ahead for a few metres, then turn left and climb the slope.

Once at the top, you will see another pond below on the right. The terrain, consisting of rhododendrons and hidden rocks, makes a direct descent impossible. Continue to the left and negotiate the path as best you can, favouring the grassy and stony sections. Cross a small scree slope and then head north.

On flat ground, cross a mini-bog created by the stream that descends from Estany del Meligar. Avoid the spongiest parts and keep going in the same direction to rejoin theGR®7.

GR® White and Red markings

(10) Follow it to the right. Pass by Estany Rodo, Tercer Estany and Estany Forcat, which you already saw on the way up, and reach the shores of Estany Primer after a few steep sections.

Yellow and red markings

(11) Turn left and rejoin the uphill track. Follow it downhill.

No markings

At the fork, leave the yellow and red markings and continue to follow the track opposite to return to the starting car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,107 m - Grau Roig car park
  2. 1 : km 0.24 - alt. 2,110 m - Crossroads
  3. 2 : km 1.62 - alt. 2,309 m - Path on the left, start of yellow markings.
  4. 3 : km 3.17 - alt. 2,476 m - Markings abandoned, start off-trail
  5. 4 : km 3.62 - alt. 2,493 m - Lake
  6. 5 : km 4 - alt. 2,507 m - Junction, cairn, on the left
  7. 6 : km 4.98 - alt. 2,576 m - Leave the GR°°®°° trail on the left.
  8. 7 : km 5.39 - alt. 2,579 m - Start of rocky chaos
  9. 8 : km 5.78 - alt. 2,521 m - Lake, on the right
  10. 9 : km 6.44 - alt. 2,470 m - Lake, on the left
  11. 10 : km 7.44 - alt. 2,400 m - GR°°®°° junction, on the right
  12. 11 : km 8.58 - alt. 2,305 m - Trail junction, on the left
  13. S/E : km 10.37 - alt. 2,107 m - Grau Roig car park

Notes

This hike is classified as difficult because of the off-trail sections that require a good sense of direction and the need to cross rocky terrain between (7) and (8). Avoid at all costs in foggy conditions, as it becomes impossible to find your way and the terrain is dangerous.

Overall, the section between (7) and (10) is difficult because it starts off on chaotic terrain and then consists of rhododendrons, rocks and grassy areas where you constantly have to negotiate your route to find the easiest path. The route mapped during the hike is indicative and is by no means the only one possible. Everyone can adapt it according to their abilities and how they feel on the ground. However, care must be taken to maintain the directions.

Between (9) and (10), crossing the mini-bog can be problematic depending on the season and there are few escape routes. If you encounter difficulties, the simplest solution is to head towards the drop on the left (small waterfall) to cross the stream at the foot of it and upstream of the bog.

Hiking boots with sturdy soles are essential. Walking poles will be very useful.

There is no drinking water on the route. There are numerous streams, but herds of animals are present, so caution is advised.

Worth a visit

The Val d'Inclès starting from Soldeu. This magnificent valley is now closed to motor traffic. However, it is easy to walk up and is well worth the effort. There are many possible hikes, particularly to the Estany de la Cabana Sorda.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Isard63
Isard63

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We had already hiked in this cirque but not on this loop, which has the advantage of showing all its facets.
Once past the horrible track at the start (a nightmare), the loop then winds its way along small paths and off-trail, passing from one lake to another. The off-trail section is far from insurmountable but does require a good reading of the landscape. With a GPS and a bit of common sense, you can avoid most of the scree, which isn't that bad. It's well worth it. We really enjoyed this last section away from the crowds on the GR7 and at the foot of the high walls. Thanks for the route.

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didfalco
didfalco

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, but one that would benefit from being signposted...

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GIGI09
GIGI09

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A beautiful hike up to the Pic des Pessons. As mentioned in the description, be careful when crossing the scree slope, which is not insurmountable but quite tricky as there are no cairns or markings. It is best to have a GPS, so I recommend taking the GR7 for an easier descent. We discovered many lakes and water sources and saw a small fox and an otter.

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Sébastien38
Sébastien38

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The first part is on the GR trail. From there to the pass, you have to make your own way through the rocks, which is exhausting and risky.

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Emile vion
Emile vion

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Great start to the hike. But the furthest part of the circular route was bumpy and even dangerous on rocky terrain for 2 km. We would have preferred to rejoin the GR7 between points 5 and 6, and then it would have been a superb hike.

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cathy19
cathy19

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike where you walk from lake to lake. The climb up to the first lake from the Grau Roig station is steep and frankly tedious, but there is no other choice. The unmarked section is not always easy to follow, especially on the scree, so you need to check that you are still on the trail. Otherwise, everything is beautiful along this hike, which we did in bright sunshine but not too hot.

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roques michel
roques michel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Difficulty at point 9 after heading diagonally left along the hillside, passing at the foot of a rocky outcrop. Never saw the lone pine tree... I retraced my steps with the GPS to return to point 10 and rejoin the GR. Passages 7 and 8 in the rocky terrain did not cause me any problems. Very beautiful hike.

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Kleb
Kleb

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, wonderful hike! It took us a little longer than expected (+1 hour) because of the beautiful scenery and stops at the lakes. Be sure to have a detailed map or GPS.

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Lepreuchon
Lepreuchon

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Wonderful hike! Some difficulty finding the path on the second half of the route.

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Laurent.7
Laurent.7

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike, magnificent scenery. Not to be done too early in the season (ideal up to point 4 for us).
It took us longer than expected due to the difficulties caused by snow at higher altitudes before reaching point 6 and up to point 8. We had a little trouble finding the right path between points 9 and 10.
Thank you for this hike!

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Eric C7.
Eric C7.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route is "partially" done during the week outside of holidays...there are fewer people!
It's steep at the start, it's steep going up to the pass, the rest is a gentle stroll, but then... what a marvel, all these ponds one after the other!

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