Hut to Hut Hiking Pyrenees: Aiguestortes National Park, Spain
Hut to Hut Hiking Pyrenees Aiguestortes National Park, Spain (4-day, 3-night)
Hut to Hut Hiking Pyrenees Aiguestortes. Aiguestortes and Lake San Mauricio National Park personifies the amazing beauty of the high Pyrenees. This is one of only two national parks in the Spanish Pyrenees (the other is Ordesa & Monte Perdido National Park, click here to view our Ordesa hut-to-hut trip, which also includes a few days in Pyrenees National Park across the border in France). The highest concentration of alpine lakes in all of the Pyrenees is found in Aiguestortes National Park. Here we will visit innumerable glacially carved lakes, pass multiple snow fields and witness receding glaciers, and breathe in the crisp pure air of one of the most impressive alpine regions in all of the Pyrenees.
Hut to Hut Hiking Pyrenees Aiguestortes: The Trip
This 4-day 3-night excursion takes in the most impressive areas of the national park. Our route takes us along sections of the famous major trail systems in the national park such as the Carros de Foc, Camins Vius, and the trans-Pyrenean GR-11. But what sets this trip apart from the tourist trap generic multi-day hikes is that we wander off the beaten path to include the less travelled trails. This allows us to really explore the amazing alpine terrain, cross forgotten passes, and even summit a few of the high peaks.
Each night we will sleep in a different hut. All are fully serviced mountain huts with food and hot showers. This area of the Pyrenees is loaded with fully serviced mountain huts and we will take advantage of this commodity while enjoying full days of walking and being in a pure state of nature. There are large numbers of birds in this region along with an enormous variety of plant species including the largest fir wood forest on the Iberian peninsula.
During the four days we will make a big loop so each day we cover different ground with changing views throughout the trip. We start and finish in the same spot so no need for car shuttles or complicated transport before or after the trip. Bring your camera and get ready for a Bigtime Aventura! Contact us today to get started on this incredible trip!
Summary
Duration: 4 days, 3 nights
Next Dates: June 1 - October 31 (dates may vary depending on conditions and availability)
Day 1
Parking (09:00) - Hut 1
Distance: 13km
Elevation gain: 1000m
Elevation loss: 1200m
Time: 6-7hr
Day 2
Hut 1 - Hut 2
Distance: 13km
Elevation gain: 1200m
Elevation loss: 1100m
Time: 6-7hr
Day 3
Hut 2 - Hut 3
Distance: 17km
Elevation gain: 1400m
Elevation loss: 1200m
Time: 8-9hr
Day 4
Hut 3 - Parking (16:00)
Distance: 15km
Elevation gain: 800m
Elevation loss: 1300m
Time: 6-7hr
What is Included?
- Certified mountain guide: Spanish Mountain Guides Association (AEGM) and Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA). Native English, fluent Spanish
- Planning and logistics
- 3 nights accommodation in mountain huts (Day 1-3). We will stay at a different hut each night.
- Food is provided at the huts. This includes: 3 dinners (Day 1-3), 3 breakfasts (Day 2-4), and 3 picnic lunches (Day 2-4).
- Liability Insurance during the activity
- Accident Insurance during the activity
- Basic First Aid Kit
What is NOT Included?
- Transportation to and from the start/finish point
- Breakfast and lunch on Day 1 and dinner and lodging on Day 4
- Drinks in the huts (beer, wine, soda)
- International Travel Insurance (highly recommended). See links below for more information.
Prerequistes
- A positive attitude and desire to hike in the mountains! This is an active vacation so be ready to move your body and feel the excitement!
- Each person must be capable of hiking for extended periods (8-10hr per day) and be accustomed to spending extended time (4 days) in mountainous alpine terrain. This means that we will be hiking over varied terrain during 4 consecutive days in the mountains and possibly in varying weather conditions. One day may be sunny and hot but the next day could be cold and wet. It is possible that this type of scenario could occur on the same day.
- Each participant must be prepared for changing weather conditions and variations in terrain.
- A medium to high level of physical and mental fitness is necessary for this trip.
Material
The following is a list of personal material that each participant should bring:
- Waterproof/Goretex hiking/trekking boots with rubber soles (i.e. Vibram). High top or medium top boots are recommended. Please break in your boots before this hike! Nothing can put a damper on a multi-day hike like a blister on Day 1!
- Appropriate clothing for outdoor adventures in the mountains. Dress in layers, like an onion. The 3-layer system is important and should definitely be utilized on our multi-day hike. Base layer: synthetic thermal clothing to wick away perspiration and keep you dry. Middle layer: fleece jacket to maintain body heat. Outer layer: waterproof/windproof shell to protect against the elements.
- Long pants (recommended that they are water resistant)
- Long sleeve shirt (recommended that it is water resistant)
- Comfortable socks
- Backpack to carry all your personal gear. Ideally 30-40L capacity. Pack light and do not bring more than is absolutely necessary! Aim for < 10kg.
- Water bottle(s)/Camelback, etc. Minimum 1L.
- Personal medication
- Sun glasses, sun screen SPF 30+, sun hat, lip balm
- Light sleeping bag or sleeping sheet (the huts have blankets but you can bring your own if you want)
- Headlamp
- Hiking poles (highly recommended)
- Binoculars (optional)
Customize Your Trip!
- This Hut to Hut Trip is customizable to fit your schedule, energy, fitness, or desire. That means that we can shorten or lengthen it depending on what you want.
- Lengthen your trip! Can't get enough of the beautiful Pyrenees and want more days of hiking? Add them on! Tell us how many days you'd like to hike and we can design a trip to your desires.
- Shorten your trip! Not up for four days of hiking? No problem, we can design your trip for 3 days and 2 nights. Or even 2 days and 1 night. Let us know what you want and we will make it happen.
- Backcountry hiking with bivouacs! Would you rather rough it in the mountains? Find your own secluded place to sleep in the mountains, prepare your own meals with basic utensils, and make a bivouac? We also do these types of backcountry hiking trips in the Pyrenees. Contact us for more information and we will design a trip for you!
- Do you want more adventure in Lleida Province? Combine this trip with our 5-day Aiguestortes National Park Multi-Adventure Canyoning and Via Ferrata trip for a total of 9 days of adventure in the Pyrenees!
- Or try some rock climbing! Add on a day of rock climbing before or after the hut to hut hiking trip. Either single pitch (max 30m high) or multi-pitch (100-700m high) options available!