WHAT TO DO
Aigüestortes National Park and Sant Maurici Lake
It is the only National Park in Catalonia. Its beauty is spectacular. The water is the protagonist with more than 200 lakes, and numerous rivers and ravines. The best known is the Sant Maurici 4×4, which you can take from Espot, about a kilometer from the Hostel. Or if you are one of the bravest, you can leave your car in the Park car park and walk up there. Whatever your choice, once on top, you’ll have hours to enjoy the visual spectacle that awaits you and days if you want to tour it in its entirety: High mountains, protected species and landscapes of great beauty. We suggest that you take a breath, breathe calmly and, above all, enjoy every second that the mountain has to offer. We leave you with a list of ideas and points of interest that you can’t miss and that are close to the Hostel! (map and list the places to locate them?)
- Els Encantats: its name honors how it leaves you when you see it, dazzled! Two peaks at more than 2700 meters above sea level, difficult to access.
- The Colomers Circus: more than 50 lakes in a formation of glacial origin
- Llac Negre
- Estany d’Amitges and Ratera: once at the top of Estany de Sant Maurici, these are the next stops.
- Estany de Sant Maurici: you can get there by 4×4, from Espot or on foot. From there, you will need hours to contemplate the beauty of the surroundings and the high variety of routes.
- Soubenuix Lake
- Monasteros Lake
- Portarró d’Espot
- Pic del Mainera
- Pic de Peguera: you can access it by the GR11 route from Espot
And if you want to know the whole park, we leave you the link to its website: http://parcsnaturals.gencat.cat/en/xarxa-de-parcs/aiguestortes/inici/index.html
Ski
The Espot ski resort is without a doubt one of the most privileged. It is located in the Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. It has more than 20 kilometers of ski slope and a drop of 1000 meters.
If you are looking for proximity and comfort, stay at Alberg Les Daines. To access the ski lift that will take you upstairs, you will not have to take the car and you will be able to leave even with your boots on. The hostel is 25 meters from the slopes.
It is an internationally recognized resort for holding numerous competitions, a symbol of good quality snow and slopes and a wide range. It also has a beginners’ area and ski schools that offer classes for beginners. From the Hostel we can offer you the service of renting equipment and classes at the Ski School.
Activities
Hiking
The Pallars Sobirà has more than 100 marked trails suitable for all levels. So much for the level, from small local trails to high routes make up the hiking offer.
For those who don’t want complications, we have El mirador de la Pica, La Torre de les Bruixes d’Alins, Espot – Castell de Llort, Pla de Boavi or Pla de Boet.
For those who already want to devote a little more energy, we suggest the Estanys de Mainera, the Gerber valley, the fir route, the Camino de Sant Maurici, the viewpoint of Sant Maurici, the route from Sant Maurici to La Guingueta, among others.
And for those who have been training for months, we suggest the Carros de Foc crossing, GR11, the route of the last Cathar, la porta del Cel route, Terra Incògnita, Sostres del Pamano, the route of the 70 Pyrenean villages, or the majestic Pica de Estats.
BTT
SaloriaBikeTrail, Pallars BikeTrail, Tracks Pallars, Cims de l’Alt Pirineu, Pedals de Foc are names of mountain bike routes in the Pallars. On the other hand, in the Alt Pirineu Natural Park he has published a map with 35 mountain bike routes for this wonderful part of the Prineu. A delight for mountain bike lovers.
And if you forget your bike, don’t worry, there are many rental companies that will make it easy for you. Come on in, take a look and enjoy yourself!
Horse
Without a doubt, horseback riding is another way to discover the high mountains and enjoy nature. There are more than one company in the area that offers galloping excursions of this majestic animal. With them you will discover trails, rivers and mountains. An activity in the middle of nature and with the help of very animal guides!
Rafting
A hallmark of our region is without a doubt, rafting. It is one of the most recognized activities. Our Noguera Pallaresa river and its wide flow make it ideal for adrenaline lovers. Get carried away by the force of the river, get strong and start the adventure!
Other adventures
Hydrospeed, canyoning, bungee jumping, via ferrata, canoeing, calm water canoes …
Chariots of Fire – Carros de Foc
It is one of the most unique high mountain routes. One of the most valued hikes by hikers. A route that passes through 9 mountain refuges, in the Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. A total of 5 to 7 days of route, 55 kilometers and a cumulative difference of 9200 meters.
Alberg Les Daines is very close to where you take the route, next to Espot. It is an option to stay in our hostel to do the route, either as a stop or as a starting point. Ask us and we will let you know.
GR11
We have the privilege of belonging to the Pallars Sobirà and the GR11 has a total of 6 stages in our region. Many hikers choose to take part in the route that crosses the Pyrenees. The stages of the Pallars Sobirà are, without a doubt, of great scenic beauty, demanding but with the best reward: the spectacularness of what surrounds you, the view that never ends, the steepest, greenest mountain. Numerous rivers will accompany you, and the wildest fauna. If you are interested, ask us. We will tell you what options are closest to the hostel.
The Town: Espot
The hostel is located two kilometers from Espot, a Pyrenean village of 366 inhabitants. Its charm as a mountain village with stone houses and slate roofs, makes it picturesque, attractive and an idyllic place to walk.
In its town center, the old medieval watchtower stands out, known as the Torre dels Moros, as well as the parish church of Santa Llogaia. It responds to the Pyrenean architectural canons, with a single nave and a square bell tower. The Romanesque bridge crosses the river Escrita within the same town.
On the outskirts of the town we find the remains of the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria d’Espot and a little further down a medieval bridge accompanied by the defense tower La Torrasa, cross the river again.
Gastronomy
If you like to eat well, in Pallars Sobirà you will find traditional dishes and your own gastronomy that will not leave you indifferent. It is based on a mountain diet with products from the land itself, meat that quality from the same region and all in season.
As a result of the isolation that the region suffered for years, its gastronomy has been based on products grown and raised in the territory. It has been over the last decade that the kitchen has been altered by more exotic and novel content.
We invite you to taste the traditional dishes that have defined us, such as lamb, beef from the Pyrenees, foal, girella, and our precious sausages, cheeses and vegetables, fruits from the same land.
The cultural Pallars
In Pallars Sobirà you will find many tourist information offices where they will give you all the information about activities to do in our region. There are many places to visit that we have. From the most traditional Romanesque to various museums: Casa Sintet ecomuseum, Montoliu flour mill, The Butterfly Museum, Casa de l’os bru dels Pirineus, among many others.