Val d'Aran and Aigüestortes · Guided activity

Animal tracks and wildlife of the Pyrenees

Learn to read the forest and the mountains: tracks and signs of the mammals, amphibians and bats of the Pyrenees, with a specialist wildlife guide.

CategoryAdventure and nature
LevelEasy
Duration2 h 30 to 3 hours
From€35 per person

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5.0· 76 Google reviews

Discover

Identifying the tracks and signs of Pyrenean mammals: isard, wild boar, fox, pine marten.
Wildlife tied to water: the amphibians of the mountain lakes and streams of the Val d'Aran and Aigüestortes.
The bats of the area: where they roost and where they hunt.
A specialist wildlife guide, and a day well spent even without a sighting.

Animal tracks and wildlife of the Pyrenees

Animal tracks and wildlife of the Pyrenees · from €35 / person

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MTWTFSS

People

Ask us on WhatsApp

30% deposit to secure your spot We confirm within 24 h

How does booking work?

You pick the day and number of people and send us the request. Nothing is charged yet.
We check availability with our team and local collaborators.
We usually confirm within 24 h and send you a link to pay a 30% deposit that secures your place.
The balance is paid before the activity. If it doesn't go ahead (for example, minimum group not reached) we refund the whole deposit; the same if you cancel 7 days or more ahead.

Plan your adventure

Is this activity right for you?Chat on WhatsApp

Activity overview

Reading the forest: tracks and signs of Pyrenean wildlife

Footprints in the mud, hair on the bark, claw marks, bat roosts: the wildlife of the Pyrenees leaves signs that a specialist guide helps you interpret in the forests and wetlands of the Val d'Aran and Aigüestortes. An outing designed to understand the territory through the tracks it holds, with or without a direct sighting.

Isard rubbing against a tree trunk in woodland, a behaviour that leaves scent and marking signs — Val d'Aran and AigüestortesTracks and signs of the mammals, amphibians and bats of the Pyrenees

AreaVal d'Aran and Aigüestortes
DurationHalf day
EcosystemMountain forests and wetlands
GroupSmall group

Reading the landscape

Val d'Aran and Aigüestortes: the landscape up close

Wildlife, Plants, Geology 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.

Isard, reference image (wildlife) — **Isard**Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica · leaves very distinctive two-toed hoofprints in mud and snow on slopes and rocky ground.

Alpine marmot, reference image (wildlife) — **Alpine marmot**Marmota marmota · its burrows and alarm whistles are easier to spot than the animal itself.

Bearded vulture, reference image (wildlife) — **Bearded vulture**Gypaetus barbatus · fragments of broken bone beneath rock faces give its presence away, even when the bird is soaring very high.

Pyrenean rock lizard, reference image (wildlife) — **Pyrenean rock lizard**Iberolacerta bonnali · a high-mountain endemic, active on sunny rocks during the middle of the day.

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WildlifeTracks and signs of the Pyrenees · Val d'Aran and Aigüestortes

View the documentary source ↗

Mountain pine, reference image (plants) — **Mountain pine**Pinus uncinata · mountain forest where marking scratches and hair caught on the bark often turn up.

Alpine pastures, reference image (plants) — **Alpine pastures**Open high-mountain ground where mud and snow best preserve the tracks of isard, wild boar, fox or pine marten.

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PlantsThe forests and pastures where you track wildlife

View the documentary source ↗

Wet ground and peat bogs, reference image (geology) — **Wet ground and peat bogs**Waterlogged ground beside mountain lakes and streams holds footprints far more sharply than rock or dry grass.

Glacier-polished rock, reference image (geology) — **Glacier-polished rock**Smooth rock polished by ancient glaciers is, by contrast, one of the worst surfaces for preserving tracks, something the guide explains out on the ground.

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GeologyThe ground where tracks are best preserved

View the documentary source ↗

The traditional knowledge of shepherds and wardens, reference image (heritage) — **The traditional knowledge of shepherds and wardens**Reading tracks and signs is traditional knowledge among shepherds and mountain wardens, now also drawn on by the park's wildlife monitoring programmes.

Refuges as observation points, reference image (heritage) — **Refuges as observation points**The park's staffed refuges have traditionally been reference points for wildlife monitoring by those who live and work in the mountains.

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HeritageThe tracking tradition of the Pyrenees

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.

Great fit

You'll love it if…

You are interested in Pyrenean wildlife beyond simply spotting animals.
You are looking for an unhurried nature activity, suitable for the whole family.

Worth a second look

It might not be for you if…

You want a guarantee of seeing animals up close: this activity focuses on tracks and signs, not sightings.

Included

Specialist wildlife guide (to be confirmed)
Included in the activity.
Public liability and accident insurance

Not included

Transport to the meeting point
Binoculars, if you do not have your own

Additional information

The area is chosen on the day
There is no fixed route: the guide chooses the forest or wetland in the Val d'Aran or Aigüestortes according to the season, the weather and the most recent wildlife signs, to give you the best real chance of finding tracks that day.
Group and age
Groups of 5 to 12 people, from around age 6 as a guide. For a private outing or a group below the minimum, a minimum rate equivalent to 5 adults applies.

Animal tracks and wildlife of the Pyrenees

Animal tracks and wildlife of the Pyrenees · from €35 / person

—

MTWTFSS

People

Ask us on WhatsApp

30% deposit to secure your spot We confirm within 24 h

How does booking work?

You pick the day and number of people and send us the request. Nothing is charged yet.
We check availability with our team and local collaborators.
We usually confirm within 24 h and send you a link to pay a 30% deposit that secures your place.
The balance is paid before the activity. If it doesn't go ahead (for example, minimum group not reached) we refund the whole deposit; the same if you cancel 7 days or more ahead.

Average temperatures Val d'Aran and Aigüestortes

JAN-4 °C

FEB-2 °C

MAR-1 °C

APR2 °C

MAY6 °C

JUN10 °C

JUL12 °C

AUG12 °C

SEP9 °C

OCT5 °C

NOV-1 °C

DEC-3 °C

Got questions?

If you have any questions about the trip or the price, or you'd like a private departure, get in touch and we'll help.

Talk to us

Before you set off

What to bring

Hiking boots or shoes

Warm layers and waterproofs for rain and wind

Layered clothing

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

01Are we sure to see animals?

We cannot promise it: much of the wildlife of the Pyrenees is elusive or nocturnal. The focus of this activity is learning to identify the signs it leaves (footprints, hair, marks), not guaranteeing a sighting.

02What kind of wildlife can we track?

Mammals such as isard, wild boar, fox or pine marten; amphibians tied to mountain lakes and streams; and bats, whose roosting and hunting areas the guide explains.

03When will it be available with a fixed price and date?

We are still finalising the guide and exact route for this activity. Drop us a line if you are interested and we will let you know as soon as it is available.

04Is it suitable for children?

Yes, it is an unhurried activity with no significant physical demands, designed for the whole family.

05Do I need to bring binoculars?

They are not essential, but they help. If you do not have any, let us know when you book.

06Does it take place during the day or at night?

Mainly during the day, although the bat section may include a stretch at dusk depending on the time of year; we will confirm this when you book.

Gallery

Moments from the activity

Reviews

What people who have done our activities say

Excellent5.0

Google76 Google reviews

Write a review

Rut V2 weeks ago
Red deer rut
A wonderful experience in a luxury setting. We got in touch with Javi after finding him online and it was a great decision. He's a young guy, passionate about his work and about nature, and it shows. He explained so many things about the rut and the surroundings, and brought samples to show us how animals are tracked, always with respect and without disturbing their habitat. He also took loads of souvenir photos, both of us and of the animals, which we really appreciated. I loved the equipment he uses: he has a screen that attaches to the camera, so we could all enjoy the views without needing telescopes. Thank you so much, Javi, for the experience. You're a truly lovely person.
★★★★★
M. Villar (Proska)2 weeks ago
Red deer rut
Without a doubt an unforgettable experience. Several companies offer the rut, but not like this one: his knowledge of the subject, together with the technology he uses, guarantees a complete outing and lets you enjoy the activity to the fullest. 100% recommended
★★★★★
Loisian2 weeks ago
Red deer rut
We can only thank Javi for our outing: the day before the weather was awful and he advised us to postpone it, so we wouldn't climb up and not see the rut. The next day was wonderful, the views beautiful, and thanks to his experience and his technology we could see everything as if we were at the cinema. If we come back, we'll do it again. 100% recommended
★★★★★
Juanma Ferrer Navarro4 weeks ago
Red deer rut
A really good person who knows the Val d'Aran very well. We had a great morning listening to and watching the rut with Javier, who will be your guide. On top of that, you learn a lot about the local flora and fauna of Aran.
★★★★★
José Luis Durán12 months ago
Red deer rut
With Ecotour we did two organised rut outings last September. Although in the morning we didn't manage to see any deer (because, unfortunately, the wild boar hunt was on), the experience, both the trekking + observation outing and the afternoon observation, was great. Javier is a great professional who radiates friendliness and passion for his work, and he passes that on in everything he explains. I think we couldn't have found a better guide. A completely recommended experience with him. To repeat another year!
★★★★★
Joan Palomer12 months ago
Red deer rut
We went to see the rut with two little girls, and with Javi it was great fun and he was very attentive. For our next outing in the area, we'll definitely hire him.
★★★★★
Montse Coca1 year ago
Red deer rut
A great afternoon: Javi took us to an area where we could see and hear the rut, treated us to a small snack of local produce and told us about the life of the deer, the differences between antlers… You can tell he's passionate about his work. Thanks to the camera and lens he uses we could see them really well and watch their behaviour during the mating season. A great experience, highly recommended.
★★★★★
Antonio disa1 year ago
Red deer rut
We did an outing to look for deer and listen to the rut. Javi is a very good guide, a person with a huge knowledge of the mountains and a great photography enthusiast. An experience to repeat.
★★★★★
PAU RODRIGO9 months ago
Snowshoeing
Excellent experience with Javi on a snowshoe route. Vast knowledge about everything to do with the mountains. Going with him guarantees you'll enjoy your adventure 200% and come back with a smile. He works really hard. The best guide I've ever met. See you soon, Javi. Take care 👋👋👋
★★★★★
Jose Manuel Luque Rodriguez11 months ago
Snowshoeing
More than a guide, a friend!! His level of knowledge about the mountains, snow, animals and everything related to the mountains is exceptional. My experience with him on snowshoes: 15 out of 10!! A professional and one of those people who only give... Personally, I didn't meet a guide, I made a friend. Professionally... one of a kind... I'd always recommend him, and I already do. A hug, Javi.
★★★★★
Carlos N1 year ago
Snowshoeing
We did a snowshoe route and the experience was heartwarming. Javi as a guide doesn't just pass on his love of the mountains, he teaches you to love and understand them; on top of that he's one of the group, he's your friend and he cares about every single person in it.
★★★★★
Carlos Buil3 years ago
High mountain
As always, it's an unforgettable experience to do high mountain climbing safely with Javier. Climbing two 3,000-metre peaks and enjoying the scenery in an educational and passionate way. Looking forward to doing it again 💪💪💪
★★★★★