With Jeep cabs to the National Park

At 8 am, the sleepy little village named Boí, part of the Alta Ribagorca and tucked away in the mountains, awakens to the sounds of Jeep cabs heading for the Aigüestortes National Park. We got up accordingly early and left the village on one of the first Defenders. Today, the narrow road is all ours, closed for public transport. We pass rivers, lakes and waterfalls, and forests vividly green with conifers, silver firs, Scotch pines, birch trees and European beeches. The Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Mautici National Park was founded in 1955 and covers an area of 14.119 hectares. The park is a well functioning ecosystem in the Pyrenees, including at least 200 lakes and some impressive rock faces – such as Els Encantats. The Catalan name Aigüestortes, literally translating to “winding waters” – derives from the many meandering waters winding their way through the park. Most of the reservoir is located above 1000 meters above sea level, with some of the surrounding summits being as high as 3000 meters – just shy of three miles. This is where the observant visitor can still spot the endangered bearded vulture, Gypaetus barbatus. Occasionally, these majestic birds circle the skies, far above the park’s grounds.

Sant Nicolau

The first meanders come into view, and we reach the flats of Aigüestortes. The journey by Jeep ends right here. The village of Sant Nicolau, riddled with meadows and meanders, is featuring a broad, ascending hiking path up to the Estany Llong. The hike will take about one and a half hours, and is suitable even for those with little to no experience in hiking. Good walking boots are a necessity though.

Soft as a luxuriously thick carpet, and permeated by the Sant Nicolau brook, the mountains’ green meadows are enchanting. Everywhere, pines and roots have succumbed to the waters and turned into picturesque objects much beloved by all those interested in landscape photography.

Stay for picnic

As the brook broadens into a small river, big rocks to both sides of the banks invite the pilgrims to stay for picnic. For many families, this is the main purpose to take the hike. Now they sit in the shadow of old trees, clearly enjoying the day and the vicinity of the whispering water. We keep on walking up to the lake. A group of hikers and a group of cows got there well before we arrived, both seizing the opportunity to take a soothing bath in the cold lake. While our water bottles are cooling down in the lake, we unpack our own picnic and get ready for a Siesta in the shadows of the trees. This is exactly the right thing to do before heading back home. For advanced hikers, there also is the opportunity to carry on up to the summits. Most people, however, lack the required fitness and prepare to stay near the lake, drinking in the scenic surroundings before taking a leisurely stroll back to the information point at the end of the Sant Nicolau valley. From there, a taxi service back to Boí is available. The Aigüestortes National Park has its very own charms of lush vegetation and extraordinarily scenic views. It is a small green paradise of blossoming landscapes, even in summer, due to the many rivers and brooks. Highly recommended!

Related posts:

1. Vall de Boí – Aigüestortes at the Pyrenees
2. Lake Panta de Sau – drowned worlds all dried up