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Glacial lake set beneath peaks still streaked with snow in Aigüestortes National Park

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park · Guided activity

Aigüestortes and Sant Maurici: hiking and nature interpretation

An interpretive day out to learn how to read the glacial landscape, plants and wildlife of Aigüestortes, alongside a naturalist guide.

  • CategoryAdventure and nature
  • LevelModerate
  • Duration6-7 hours
  • From€60 per person
5.0· 76 Google reviews
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Activity overview

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici, with a naturalist guide

A 6 to 7-hour day in Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, with a naturalist guide who interprets the park's glacial landscape, plants and wildlife at every stop. This is not just walking from one lake to the next: you learn to read the mark left by the glaciers, the peat bogs and the places where wildlife may appear, in a small group of up to eight people.

Wooden boardwalk leading towards Estany de Sant Maurici, between meadows and pine forest
  • AreaAigüestortes National Park
  • Duration6 to 7 hours
  • GuideJavier Gil · Ecotour Experiences
  • GroupMaximum 8 people
  • EcosystemsGlacial landscape, peat bogs, Pyrenean plants and wildlife

Reading the landscape

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park: the landscape up close

Geology, Wildlife, Plants and Heritage: a closer look at the setting of this activity. Documentary images of species or places not taken at the exact point of the route are shown for reference only, and sightings are not guaranteed.

Estany de Ratera, reference image (geology)
Estany de RateraAnother of the park's lakes of glacial origin, set in a rocky cirque typical of Pyrenean terrain.
Estany Llong and the peat bogs, reference image (geology)
Estany Llong and the peat bogsThe park's very name, Aigüestortes ('winding waters'), describes the meanders and peat bogs formed by glacial meltwater on flat ground.
The Amitges path, reference image (geology)
The Amitges pathIt crosses the Amitges glacial cirque, with rock polished by Quaternary ice visible along several stretches.
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GeologyThe glacial landscape of Aigüestortes National Park
View the documentary source ↗
Pyrenean chamois (isard), reference image (wildlife)
Pyrenean chamois (isard)Rupicapra pyrenaica · the most common hoofed mammal on the park's slopes and crags.
Alpine marmot, reference image (wildlife)
Alpine marmotMarmota marmota · common in the stony high-mountain pastures, and given away by its alarm whistles.
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WildlifeWildlife of Aigüestortes National Park
View the documentary source ↗
Mountain pine, reference image (plants)
Mountain pinePinus uncinata · the conifer that marks the upper limit of the forest before the park's alpine zone.
Spring gentian, reference image (plants)
Spring gentianGentiana verna · a small, intensely blue flower, common in the park's high-mountain pastures.
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PlantsPyrenean plants of Aigüestortes National Park
View the documentary source ↗
Refugi d'Amitges, reference image (heritage)
Refugi d'AmitgesOne of the staffed huts in the park's network, right in the heart of the glacial cirque of the same name.
Refugi Josep Maria Blanc, reference image (heritage)
Refugi Josep Maria BlancAt 2,350 m, beside the Estany Tort de Peguera, another of the park's landmark staffed huts.
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HeritageStaffed mountain huts of the Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes
View the documentary source ↗

Local photos: Ecotour archive. Documentary images: free-licence image banks or Wikimedia Commons, used under licence or with permission. The species and features shown are documented in the area, but seeing them during the activity is not guaranteed.

Before you book

Is this activity right for you?

Check at a glance.

  • Adventure2/5
  • Culture1/5
  • Nature4/5
Great fit

You'll love it if…

  • You are used to walking in the mountains (6-7 hours) and want to learn to read the landscape, not just pass through it.
  • You want a real understanding of your surroundings: glacial geology, plants and wildlife, with a naturalist guide.
Worth a second look

It might not be for you if…

  • You are looking for a quick hike with no stops: here the pace is set by the interpretation, not the kilometres.
Javier Gil
AEGM / UIMLA-qualified mountain leader · Ecotour Experiences

Who'll be with you on this activity

Javier Gil

Javier leads this day the Ecotour way: he adapts the route to the group and uses every stop to interpret the park's glacial landscape, plants and wildlife, without turning the walk into a race between points of interest.

  • AEGM / UIMLA-qualified mountain leader

Activity highlights

What makes this one special

Included

  • A professional Ecotour naturalist guide for the whole day.

  • Interpretation of the geology, plants, wildlife and evolution of the landscape.

  • Binoculars for the wildlife-watching stops.

  • Activity insurance.

  • Included in the activity.

    Public liability and accident insurance

Not included

  • Transport to the starting point or the regulated-access taxis.

  • Food and drink for the day.

  • Clothing, footwear and personal mountain gear.

Additional information

  • Regulated access to the park

    Access to certain areas of Aigüestortes is regulated (authorised taxis in high season); the starting point and logistics are confirmed when you book.

  • Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed

    They depend on the season, the time of day and the conditions; the guide helps you spot tracks and signs and choose the best places to watch.

Before you set off

What to bring

Hiking boots

Walking boots and clothing in layers

Water bottle and snacks for the route

Water and food for the day

Camera with telephoto lens and mountain tripod

Your own camera or binoculars, if you have them

Once your date is confirmed, you'll receive the final kit list, adapted to the forecast and ground conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What people ask us

01Am I guaranteed to see wildlife?

No. Sightings depend on the season, the time of day and the conditions, although the guide helps you spot tracks and signs and choose the best places to watch.

02Is it suitable for families?

It can work for families with children from around ten years old who are already used to walking in the mountains.

03How much does the activity cost?

From €45 for the half-day option (€38 per child aged 8 to 12); the full day costs €65 per adult and €55 per child.

04How long is the day?

There are two options: a half day (4 hours) or a full day of 6 to 7 hours.

05How many people are there per group?

The group is small, from 4 to 10 people, so we can stop at every interpretation point without losing momentum.

06What should I bring?

Walking boots, clothing in layers, and water and food for the day. If you have your own camera or binoculars, they will come in handy at the wildlife-watching stops.

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What people who have done our activities say

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