No private vehicles are allowed into the park; you have to park your car at an entrance and hike in. After visiting Sant Climent de Taüll, we left our car at an entrance just north of Boì and headed off on a 4 hour hike into the park.
We hiked up a valley, following along the path of a stream. The trail wound up through forest, occasionally opening into a mountain meadow, until we reached a mountain lake, Estany de Llegreta. Most of the way we were alone, just us and spectacular mountain scenery.
The trail continued up to Cascada de Saint Esperit, which feeds the lake.
We did have to share the trail on part of the hike back.
That evening we stayed in Vielha, an old town filled with new ski lodgings for those using the many nearby ski runs. The next day we drove west through the Val d'Aran.
We were headed for an entrance on the eastern side of Aigüestortes, at Espot. From there we were off for another hike alongside mountain streams, through meadows and forests.
From time to time along the way we had company: the sights, sounds - and smell - of Catalan buey with their cow bells.
This trail also led to a mountain lake, Estany Sant Maurici.
From there the trail continued up, to a second lake, Estany de Ratera.
Peaceful, clear water surrounded by mountains. We had hiked a long way up and it was time to relax.
By the time we headed back the sun had shifted, highlighting the craggy mountains.
These were two days of spectacular hiking in some of the most beautiful mountain scenery we have seen.
1 comment:
Great scenery!
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