Aiguestortes National Park

Parc Nacional d'Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici

Catalonia's only national park, filled with glacial lakes, dramatic Pyrenean peaks, and dense forests. It's a premier destination for hiking, wildlife spotting, and alpine scenery.

Things to do

• Hike to Estany de Sant Maurici — This iconic glacial lake mirrors the twin granite spires of Els Encantats and serves as the classic gateway to the park's eastern side.
• Walk the Aigüestortes plain — Follow boardwalks through the meandering streams and wet meadows that give the park its name, meaning twisted waters.
• Explore Circ de Colomers — A dramatic glacial cirque cradling more than fifty lakes and tarns, reachable via a steep but rewarding day hike from Espot.
• Cross the Portarró d'Espot pass — This scenic saddle links the Sant Maurici and Aigüestortes valleys and is the classic route for crossing the park east to west.
• Spot isard and golden eagles — Early morning or dusk are best for glimpsing the Pyrenean chamois grazing on rocky slopes and raptors circling overhead.
• Stay overnight at a mountain refuge — Refugis like Ernest Mallafré or Josep Maria Blanc let you catch sunrise over the lakes before the day-trip crowds arrive.
• Take a 4x4 taxi from Boí or Espot — Since private cars are banned inside the park, a shared taxi ride into the valley is itself a scenic part of the experience.

Food to try

• Trinxat de la Cerdanya — A hearty Pyrenean dish of mashed cabbage and potato fried with bacon, often served in mountain refuges after a long hike.
• Escudella de muntanya — A slow-cooked meat and vegetable stew traditional to Catalan mountain villages, warming after cold alpine days.
• Formatge de l'alta muntanya — Local sheep and goat cheeses from valleys around Boí and Espot, often paired with mountain honey or quince paste.
• Botifarra amb mongetes — Grilled Catalan sausage served with white beans, a filling classic found in village restaurants near the park entrances.
• Embotits de muntanya — Cured meats like fuet and llonganissa from Pyrenean pig farms, sold in Espot and Boí's small food shops.
• Crema catalana — The region's version of crème brûlée, a fitting sweet finish after a day of hiking through the peaks.

Local customs & good to know

• No private vehicles inside the park — Access is only by foot, bike, or licensed 4x4 taxi from Boí or Espot, so plan transport in advance.
• Wild camping is prohibited — Overnight stays are limited to designated refuges or authorized bivouac zones near the park boundary.
• Weather shifts fast at altitude — Storms and temperature drops can appear suddenly even in summer, so pack layers and check forecasts before setting out.
• Book refuges early in high season — July and August fill quickly, so reserve beds at mountain huts like Colomers or Ventosa i Calvell well ahead.