Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park



Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park is in Lleida (province) of Catalonia. A wild mountain region in the Pyrenees, with peaks rising to 3017 m (Besiberri Sud) and with nearly 200 lakes, many of them of glacial origin, the park comprises a core area of 141 km2 and a buffer zone of 267 km2 surrounding the park.

Understand
The national park comprises 40,852 hectares (100,950 acres), divided into two different levels of protection: the core area and the buffer zone surrounding the park. This buffer zone creates a gradation from the inner side, more strictly protected than the external parts of the park.

The core area is located in the comarques of Pallars Sobirà and Alta Ribagorça, and includes the main entrances of the park: This area also includes part of the municipalities of Vielha e Mijaran and Naut Aran in the Val d'Aran; Vilaller and Vall de Boí in the Alta Ribagorça; La Torre de Cabdella in the Pallars Jussà; and Espot, Alt Àneu, Esterri d'Àneu, La Guingueta d'Àneu and Sort in the Pallars Sobirà.
 * On the west side, from the village of Boí, is the Aigüestortes plain. Aigüestortes means "winding waters" and is largely flat which allows the river to meander and flow slowly. This area indicates the existence of an old lake, today covered by sediment.
 * To the east, near the village of Espot, is Sant Maurici lake, one of the most famous of the region, from where one can see the spectacular twin peaks of the Encantats.
 * To the south, Estany Gento, and a cable railway runs in the higher valley of Torre de Cabdella.

The buffer zone also contains the forest of la Mata de Valencia, Gerber and Cabanes valleys, Colomers and Saboredo valleys, the Besiberri valley, the lakes of Cabdella and Montardo peak.



History


Human settlement of the Pyrenees dates back at least to the period of glacial melting. Inside the borders of the national park, there is no record of stable human habitation during this time, but recent archeological studies have found evidence of temporary settlements from 8,500 years ago in the Neolithic Age.

During the 19th century, the high Pyrenees became more populated, fueled by strong demand for natural resources with intense forestry, farming, and fishing. At the beginning of the 20th century, hydroelectric electrical power plants were built, resulting in a great transformation of the landscape.

On 21 October 1955 the national park was created, becoming the fifth Spanish national park. On 30 March 1988, the Catalan government took ownership of the park, together with an additional buffer zone, according to the Catalan laws. From that date, management of the wild protected areas has been managed by the autonomous government, which has introduced increases to the budget and staffing, along with stricter rules.

Since then, forestry exploitation, fishing, camping and any exploitation of natural resources has been forbidden. However, an allowance is made for cattle breeding and the operative hydroelectric generation. Traditional uses of natural resources which are compatible with the protection of the wilderness are only allowed in the buffer zone.

In 1996 the national park was enlarged, to a total area of 14,119 hectares.

Landscape


Aigüestortes National Park is an important item in the Pyrenean geology. The predominant rocks are granite and slate, both very old Paleozoic rocks. These emerged from the sea in the Paleogene, during the Alpine orogeny, giving rise to the Pyrenees.

Successive quaternary glaciations covered these mountains with huge glaciers. The lakes, the waterfalls, the sharpened peaks, the vertiginous ridges and the U-shaped valleys are the footprints of the erosive action of those ancient glaciers. Today, they have virtually disappeared, except for small glaciers in the central Pyrenees.

Today, lakes are the most important contribution of these glaciers, which are fed by rivers and waterfalls.

Flora and fauna
The Park exhibits a rich alpine vegetation tapestry across varying altitudes. In lower valleys at 1500m, European deciduous forests thrive, hosting oak, ash, beech, and hazel. Human-exploited meadows transition to grasslands, shrubs, and secondary forests dominated by common box and Scots pine. Beyond 1500m, mountain pine forests dominate up to 2000m, adapting to the High Pyrenees' harsh winters. Alpine meadows above 2300m showcase diverse flora, including alpenrose and blueberry. A significant portion aligns with the Eurosiberian group, representing central European flora.

The park shelters a discreet yet diverse array of wildlife, particularly with approximately 200 species, dominated by two-thirds being birds. Notable avian residents include the capercaillie, rock ptarmigan, golden eagle, griffon vulture, and bearded vulture. Other sightings may include the black woodpecker, red-billed chough, wallcreeper, white-throated dipper, and citril finch. Mammalian representatives encompass the Pyrenean chamois, brown bear, stoat, alpine marmot, fallow deer, and roe deer, introduced in the latter half of the 20th century. Amphibians feature the elusive Pyrenean brook salamander and the common frog. Caution is advised for the venomous vipera aspis, while lakes and rivers host the local brown trout alongside introduced species.

Climate
The climate in the park is predominantly cold. The mean temperature is around 0 to 5 °C. In the upper parts, temperatures hardly reach above 0 °C during winter. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 900 to 1300 mm – Mostly as snow in the mountains.

By plane
The park is far from airports, beeing the closer ones Barcelona in Spain (300km) and Toulouse in France (220km)

By car
N-230 runs along the west side of the park from Pont de Suert coming from Lleida until Viella. Then it continues until the French border

L-500 starts in N-230 north of Pont de Suert and runs the Boi Valley

N-260 runs along the South of the park from Pont de Suert to C-13

L-503 enter south of the park to Vall Fosca valley.

C-13 runs along the East side of the Park passing Sort and Esterri d'Aneu

C-28 runs Val d'Aran along the north side from Esterri d'Aneu until Vielha.

Fees and permits
I'ts free to enter, however the 4x4 taxis aproaching you to the park entrances from parking areas are not free.

Park rules

 * The circulation of vehicles and bicycles inside the Park is restricted. Access to the interior is only permitted on foot, by bicycle (up to the information points in Sant Maurici and Aigüestortes) or with duly authorized public transport vehicles from the area of ​​influence of the National Park.
 * No hunting, fishing or trapping of any animals is allowed. Do not damage the natural elements. Stones and trees, flowers, fruits, mushrooms and all kinds of animals are part of nature. Respect them and enjoy their observation.
 * Don't let anyone know you've been to the park. Don't litter the mountain with your rubbish. Take them out of the National Park and deposit them in the appropriate containers for this purpose.
 * It is forbidden to light a fire. If necessary, packaged gas can be used.
 * Free and uncontrolled camping favors the proliferation of waste and the degradation of natural ecosystems. That is why it is prohibited within the scope of the National Park. There are mountain shelters with guards and hospitality and camping services in the villages of the area of ​​influence.
 * Do not leave the marked paths. They are a guarantee for your safety, while you will collaborate in the preservation of this natural space.
 * Do not disturb the tranquility of the place. It is not allowed to use machines or instruments that produce strange noises in nature or perform actions that disturb or frighten animals.
 * Try not to bring pets inside the Park. If necessary, they must be held by the person carrying them.
 * Respect rivers, ravines and ponds. Bathing, water activities or any other activity that could represent an alteration or pollution of the waters are not allowed.

By car
Cars are restricted in the National Park. They must be left in one of the car parks near the entrances to the Park and visitors must then proceed on foot. If you would like to start your walk from higher up, you can take a 4x4 taxi. In Boí and Espot, the 4x4 taxis run a shuttle service all year round up to Aiguestortes and Lake Sant Maurici. Once up there, you can hike further up if you want, check the times of return journeys. Espot taxis also take you along tracks in the eastern sector of the Park (see taxi website for more information). In the Val d'Aran, in the summer, a discretional transport service in Ribera d’Aiguamòg and Ribera de Valarties makes it easier to walk to the shelters at Colomèrs and Era Restanca, respectively. In the Fosca Valley, a cable car operates from July to September from the Sallente reservoir to Lake Gento, the starting point for a number of interesting hikes.

Parking
In many of the car parks located at the entrances to the Park, visitors will find an information panel where, at the very least, they can consult a map of the Park with the possible itineraries and the protection regulations: Specifically, the car parks that have this type signs are located in the towns and valleys:

Val d'Aran zone(N and NW of park)




Sort area (E of park)


It should be borne in mind that in winter (but also in late autumn and all spring), access to these points can be tricky because of snow and ice. Ask for information in advance at the Park Houses.

By bus
The Bus of the Park is a public transport service that works during the summer, from June to September. This service connects, twice every day, the two main entries of the National Park: Boí (Alta Ribagorça), and Espot (Pallars Sobirà) passing through the Val d'Aran.

The Bus runs outside the Park, passing through many of the villages that surround it. It is especially useful for those people that like to walk long trails and need to come back to the starting point. Good walkers have very interesting tours that can be planned consulting the timetables of the Bus and the taxis, the cartography of the Park and the available vacancies in the mountain huts. It also allows those people who don't have a car to move around the area

The price of the tickets varies depending on the starting and stop points. There are discounts for roundtrip tickets. Pets and bicycles are not allowed. Large groups are strongly recommended to call previously the Bus company.

See
In the parc the main visits are sightseeing places and itineraries.
 * Visit AIgüestortes plain. Go to parking La farga. see
 * Visit Sant Maurici Lake. Go to parkin Prat de Pierró. See parking
 * Visit the Villages in Vall de Boi
 * Visit the Vall Fosca and Estany Gento. Go to parkings in

Vall de Boí zone (W of Park)






Hiking
Summertime is a good time for trekking. There are a lot of possibilities, but it's necessary to be aware of the difficulty of some of the paths and be in good physical condition.

The transpyrenean path, GR-11 marked with red and white lines, crosses the park from one side to other.

At the information points, hiking brochures available (also in English) which are recommended and shows many of the easy paths with descriptions. See for starting points of routes. Some of them are:


 * At Boí valley, from Llebreta Lake to Llong Lake, following Sant Nicolau River. Along this path, a footbridge allows the handicapped people with wheelchairs to visit the Aigüestortes plain.
 * From Espot and the Sant Maurici Lake, an interesting path goes up to the waterfall and Ratera Lake. From this lake, after 15 minutes additional walking, it is possible to arrive at a viewpoint looking over the Sant Maurici Lake. A second option is to walk up to Amitges shelter which provides walkers with experience of the high mountains.
 * From the parking area of Clot Gran, near the Port de la Bonaigua, to Gerber valley and lakes.
 * From Banhs de Tredòs, at the Val d'Aran, walk to Colomers shelter – this provides a very spectacular walk with a number of lakes.
 * From Estany Gento, walk to Tort Lake and arrive to the Colomina shelter or Saburó Lake.


 * Ruta de la Llúdriga: cap a Llebreta i Aigüestortes,2h, 430m, starts in parking La Farga
 * El planell d'Aigüestortes, 1h, flat, starts at end of Ruta de la Lludriga. You can also take a 4x4 taxi
 * Camí del Llong, Redó i Portarró, 3h, 600m, starts at end of Ruta de la Lludriga. You can also take a 4x4 taxi
 * Ruta de la Marmota: cap a l'estany Negre, 2h15,350m, starts in Cavallers part baixa Parking
 * La vall de Besiberri, 500m, 2h
 * Ruta de l'Isard: cap a l’estany de Sant Maurici, 260m, 1h15, Starts in Prat de Pierró Parking
 * Cap a les Agulles d'Amitges, 480m 1h45, starts at end of Ruta de l'Isard in Sant Maurici lake. You can also take a 4x4 taxi
 * El mirador de l'estany de Sant Maurici, 300m, 2h30, starts at end of Ruta de l'Isard in Sant Maurici lake. You can also take a 4x4 taxi
 * El gran circ de Colomèrs, 500m 6h30, Starts in Parking Banhs de Tredos
 * Els estanys de la Mainera, 300m, 1h30, Starts in Pas de la Mainera Parking
 * La vall de Gerber, 230m, 1h30, Starts in Peülla parking
 * La vall de l'estany Tort, 220m, 2h15, Starts in Estany Gento, end of Vall fosca cable car. You can take de cable car at the Sallente reservoir Parking.
 * Camí del port de Rius, 810m, 2h30, Starts in Boca Sud del tunnel de Vielha (Espitau de Vielha) Parking

A very interesting tour for several days:


 * Camins vius (Living Paths). This route is a walk along the historic valley paths, most dating back to medieval times and some of more ancient origin, through villages surrounding the national park, passing through Alta Ribagorça, Val d'Aran, and Pallars Sobirà.
 * Carros de foc (Chariots of Fire). This route completes a circular tour around some of the shelters that exist in this area. The competitive option (Sky runner) must be completed in less than 24 hours but it's better to have at least four or five days in order to appreciate the experience that this route provides.

Other mountain activities as rock climbing, alpinism, snowshoeing or backcountry skiing are also allowed (with some regulations) in the national park. The mountain shelters, the only places where visitors are permitted spend a night into the park, are available to stay for allow traversing the higher peaks in the park.

Mountain biking
Cycling is only allowed on paved routes inside the park (just to Sant Maurici Lake or Aigüestortes plain) and is strictly regulated. Some routes are available in the peripheral area, most of them with medium or hard level.
 * Pedals de Foc: is an organized route for riding around the park (not inside) for several days and possibility of backpacking transfer.

Ski
There are several ski resorts around the Park
 * Baqueira Beret
 * Espot
 * Llesui
 * Boi-Taüll

Eat
There are many Bar - Restaurants in the villages around the park.



Sleep
The eassiest lodging is in the villages around the park. However there are some options in the buffer zone, and a lot of mountain refuges for long trekking routes.

Mountain Refuges


Trekkers can find several refuges in the park and its periphery. These refuges are open during the four warmest months of the year. In the winter, every refuge has its own opening schedule (usually around Christmas and Easter) and must be booked in advance. The refuges are as follows:

Backcountry
Free and uncontrolled camping favors the proliferation of waste and the degradation of natural ecosystems. That is why it is prohibited within the scope of the National Park.

Stay safe

 * Be well informed before doing any tour or crossing
 * Wear appropriate gear (boots, warm clothes and clothes to protect yourself from the rain). In the high mountains, weather conditions can change abruptly.
 * Try to go out together. You will share experiences with others and you will not be alone in case of need.
 * Measure your strengths and those of your team. Think back.
 * The high mountain is not always accessible. Do not hesitate to postpone your excursion until the weather conditions are more favorable.


 * In winter, extreme precautions must be taken
 * Be especially aware of weather conditions and the risk of avalanches.
 * In the event of an emergency or accident, all mountain shelters have a radio set connected to the Fire Brigade of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

Go next

 * Taüll
 * Val d'Aran
 * National parks in Spain
 * Nature parks in Catalonia