Across Peaks and Valleys: Hiking the Aran Valley and Aneto Massif

Distance: 12.8 km; Climbing: +673m; Descending: 376m Description We start the week with a beautiful hike in an area with more than 50 mountain lakes. After breakfast, we will be taken to the starting point of this circular walk. The lakes of Colomèrs lie in a circular massif that contains about 50 lakes or "estanhs". The slow but effective erosion of ice from the ice age has left a legacy of an incomparable landscape. The glacial lakes were formed when the snow retreated from the major headwaters called "glacial cirques", creating basins excavated by ice erosion and currently occupied by the lakes. The "wandering2 stones in this area are large granite blocks placed in isolated places and carried away by the glacier. Accommodation in a traditional mountain hotel in the centre of Vielha.

Distance : 21.4 km; Climb: +802m; Descend: -1058m We leave Vielha on foot to take the GR211 trail to Bossòst, a day hike along the Camino Real de Arán, an ancient route that for centuries was the only means of communication between Aranese towns. The good thing about this trail is that much of it passes through green areas where the tops of beech, oak and fir trees soften the heat of the summer sun. The first villages we encounter are Vilac - Mont - Montcorbau. The name of the village of Vilac could be of Celtic origin and there are also indications that it was a passage for the Romans. The church of Sant Fèlix de Vilac stands out, in Romanesque style from the 12th and 13th centuries, with an interesting doorway with carved figures on the portal. The interior contains some neoclassical sculptures and altarpieces, as well as a Romanesque baptismal font. The village preserves old houses with lintels from the 1700s. After passing Mont, we arrive at Montcorbau, located at an altitude of 1222 metres and offering us a beautiful panoramic view of the Sarraeta and Tuc Nere mountains, whose peaks contrast with the green landscape of the leafy Baricauba forest in the background. We follow the path towards Aubert, the first village we encounter along the road, towards Arròs, Begòs, Vilamòs, Arrès de Jos, Arrès de Sos. These are the oldest and least populated villages in the Val d'Aran. With rustic houses and stables. Roofs of old slate with typical "lucanas", fountains, water troughs and washing places.... The vegetation is very varied: the leafy forest of oaks and hazels, ravines lined with cherry trees or the forests of Scots pines and Uishèra ferns. It offers panoramic views of great beauty over the Artiga de Lin valley and the Maladeta massif. Finally, we arrive in Bossòst, where we spend the night. Accommodation in a traditional mountain hotel in the centre of Bossost.

Distance: 1o.8 km; Climbing: +1072m; Descending: 433m The stage begins in the village of Bossòst, following a historic trail that climbs steadily toward the Còth de Baretja, the mountain pass marking the border between Spain and France. The path winds gracefully through oak and spruce forests, opening at intervals to reveal sweeping views of the Aran Valley and its encircling peaks. As we ascend, meadows replace woodland, leading us to the pass at 1,778 metres, where a breathtaking panorama stretches across both sides of the Pyrenees. From here, the route traverses alpine pastures and quiet wooded glades before reaching the Cabana de Campsaure. The descent to the Hospice de France follows the footsteps of smugglers and pilgrims who once crossed these mountains, with the valley of Luchon gradually unfolding before us as France comes into view. The accommodation is the fantastic mountain hotel of Hospice de France

The stage goes along one of the historical paths of the Pyrenees, the Puerto de Benasque, connecting France and Aragon. The trail climbs up to Lagos del Boum, to which it borders, where we see the last part of the path that, in several zigzags, is laid out with stone walls, up to the col. The view from there of the entire Aneto-Maladetas massif with its glaciers is fantastic. We descend along the Peña Blanca path, constructed in the limestone rock, to reach the forest and meadows that lead us to Hospital de Benasque, a mountain hotel in a beautiful valley. 

Distance: 10.3 km; Climbing: +794m; Descending: 1101m We leave the group of buildings to cross the river Esera and continue along the plains of Hospital. We reach the area called Pleta del Torno among meadows and black pines. We continue to a mountain pass called Piedras Blancas. This passage dates back to the year 1320, when it was built as a passage between France and Spain, along with the widening of the Portillón de Benasque that we will see later. The views over the valley of Esera and the Llanos del Hospital are spectacular. We reach a hill with spectacular views (2,175 m). Soon we will see the huge gorge in the mountains called Portillón de Benasque up (2445 metres), the historic pass to France. We continue past majestic mountains and alpine plains to descend to Artiga de Lin, one of the most beautiful valleys in this region. Here we spend the night in the mountain hut of Artiga de Lin.

Distance: 15.1 km; Climbing: +782m; Descending: 1274m From the Artiga de Lin hut, the trail leads past the spectacular Uelhs deth Joeu springs and continues toward the Monjoia hermitage, once home to a mountain refuge that welcomed weary travellers crossing the high passes. Along the way, we encounter a map of the historic routes and an interpretive panel recalling the dramatic escape of Jewish refugees who fled Nazi-occupied France through these very mountains during World War II. The path then climbs the Geles trail to reach the rocky outcrop of Sacosta, before continuing to the tranquil Dòles pond. From here, a steep descent guides us back to Vielha, completing the circuit through history, nature, and mountain landscapes. Once we are back at our hotel and we had time to relax, we venture back into the town of Vielha to enjoy dinner.

Our trip has come to an end! After breakfast, our transfer service takes us back to Barcelona