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The Montgarri sanctuary, starting point of the Pass'Aran trek, with the mountains of the Val d'Aran behind

Val d'Aran and the Couserans · Guided activity

Pass'Aran: a five-day trek between Pyrenean valleys

A cross-border high-mountain trek between the Val d'Aran and the French Couserans, crossing five passes above 2,400 metres in five stages.

  • CategoryAdventure and nature
  • LevelChallenging
  • Duration5 days, 4 nights in mountain refuges
  • From€206 per person
5.0· 76 Google reviews
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Activity overview

Pass'Aran: from the Val d'Aran to the French Couserans

The Pass'Aran crosses the main Pyrenean ridge in five stages, linking the Val d'Aran with the French side of the Couserans over as many as five passes above 2,400 metres. It starts and finishes at the Amics de Montgarri refuge, with nights in staffed refuges on both sides of the border and the option of adding summits such as the Maubèrme or Mont Valier, depending on the group's level. A cross-border trek that brings together wild landscapes, glacial lakes and the change from one side of the range to the other on a single route.

The Montgarri sanctuary, starting point of the Pass'Aran trek
  • AreaVal d'Aran and the Couserans, Ariège
  • Duration5 days, 4 nights in mountain refuges
  • GuideJavier Gil · Ecotour Experiences
  • GroupSmall group
  • EcosystemsCross-border Pyrenean high mountains, glacial lakes

Route at a glance

Objective route difficulty

Estimated MIDE for the Pass'Aran, full trek

MIDE is the Spanish hiking difficulty scale, which rates a route from 1 to 5. This is a guide's estimate (not an official published MIDE rating for this trek), based on the number of stages, the passes above 2,400 m and the length of each day already described on this page.

Source: Ecotour's own estimate (AEGM / UIMLA-qualified mountain leader) using the MIDE method ↗
01

Environment severity

4/5

Cross-border high mountains with up to five passes above 2,400 m, and weather that can behave differently on each side of the border.

02

Route-finding

4/5

Several stages across wild terrain with less clearly marked sections, as well as the border crossing itself between the Val d'Aran and the Couserans.

03

Terrain

3/5

Uneven mid- and high-mountain ground on the standard route, with no scrambling; the optional summits can call for more demanding movement.

04

Effort

5/5

Five days in a row with stages from 7 km (4-5 h) to nearly 20 km (7-9 h): the cumulative effort is the highest in the catalogue.

What does MIDE mean? MIDE is the Spanish hiking difficulty scale: Environment, Route-finding, Terrain and Effort. It isn't an overall score: each number rates a different aspect and can change with snow, ice or bad weather.

Reading the landscape

Val d'Aran and the Couserans: the landscape up close

Heritage, Geology, Wildlife and Plants: 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.

Santuari de Montgarri, reference image (heritage)
Santuari de MontgarriA 16th-century sanctuary (with earlier Romanesque features), the starting point of the trek and one of the most unusual corners of the Val d'Aran.
Refuge des Estagnous, reference image (heritage)
Refuge des EstagnousA staffed refuge at 2,240 m beside glacial lakes, on the French side of the Couserans.
01 / 02
HeritageThe Santuari de Montgarri, where the trek begins
View the documentary source ↗
Tuc de Maubèrme, reference image (geology)
Tuc de Maubèrme2,880 m, one of the optional summits of the trek, on the border between the Val d'Aran and the French Ariège.
Mont Valier, reference image (geology)
Mont Valier2,838 m, the emblematic peak of the French Couserans, visible from the Refuge des Estagnous.
01 / 02
GeologyBorder summits on the main Pyrenean ridge
View the documentary source ↗
Pyrenean chamois (isard), reference image (wildlife)
Pyrenean chamois (isard)Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica · common on the crags on both the Spanish and French sides of the trek.
Alpine marmot, reference image (wildlife)
Alpine marmotMarmota marmota · found in the high pastures beside the lakes of the Couserans, on the descent towards Estagnous.
01 / 02
WildlifeHigh-mountain wildlife along the Pyrenean border
View the documentary source ↗
Mountain pine, reference image (plants)
Mountain pinePinus uncinata · the last forest before the rocky ground of the passes above 2,400 m that the trek crosses.
Moss campion, reference image (plants)
Moss campionSilene acaulis · a high-mountain cushion plant found on the highest sections of the Pass'Aran.
01 / 02
PlantsHigh-mountain flora of the Pyrenean border
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.

  • Physical effort5/5
  • Technical difficulty2/5
Great fit

You'll love it if…

  • You have experience of multi-day treks with big ascents and descents on high-mountain terrain.
  • You like the idea of combining the Val d'Aran and the French side of the Pyrenees in a single trek.
Worth a second look

It might not be for you if…

  • You are looking for a short or single-day route: the Pass'Aran is five demanding days back to back.
  • You want fixed dates and a fixed price right now: this trip is still being developed internally.

Private group

A private guide for your group

The activity is reserved exclusively for your group. The total price is split between participants, so the more of you there are, the less each person pays, with no change to the route, the attention you get or the guide's judgement.

Pass'Aran: a five-day trek between Pyrenean valleysPrice per person
2 personas
Solo guiaje; los refugios (media pensión) los pagas aparte, directamente a cada refugioGroup total: €1,500
€750 per person
4 personas
Solo guiaje; los refugios (media pensión) los pagas aparte, directamente a cada refugioGroup total: €1,500
€375 per person
6 personas
Solo guiaje; los refugios (media pensión) los pagas aparte, directamente a cada refugioGroup total: €1,650
€275 per person
8 personasBest price
Solo guiaje; los refugios (media pensión) los pagas aparte, directamente a cada refugioGroup total: €1,650
€206 per person
Ask about dates and availability

Before confirming, we go over your experience, fitness and kit with you.

Javier Gil
AEGM / UIMLA-qualified mountain leader · Ecotour Experiences

Who'll be with you on this activity

Javier Gil

Javier knows the Val d'Aran first-hand and brings the same judgement about terrain and weather to the French side of the trek, where conditions can change differently from the Spanish side.

Whether or not to add the optional summits (Maubèrme, Barlonguèra, Mont Valier or Crabèra) is decided with the group on the ground, depending on level, conditions and how the party arrives at each stage.

  • AEGM / UIMLA-qualified mountain leader

Activity highlights

What makes this one special

Included

  • Route planning and booking of all the refuges on the trek (to be confirmed)

  • Half board (dinner and breakfast) in the refuges, included in the price (to be confirmed)

  • Ecotour mountain leader throughout the trek (to be confirmed)

  • Included in the activity.

    Public liability and accident insurance

Not included

  • Transport to Montgarri

  • Personal trekking kit

Additional information

  • ID for crossing into France

    The trek crosses the main Pyrenean ridge into the French Couserans: you must carry a valid national ID card or passport.

  • Temperatures on the passes

    Montgarri, the starting point, already sits at 1,670 m, and several passes on the trek are above 2,400 m: even in high summer it can be quite cold and windy up high.

Before you set off

What to bring

Hiking boots

Worn-in mountain boots and a multi-day trekking rucksack

Warm layers and waterproofs for rain and wind

Technical clothing in layers, plus protection against rain and cold

Map, compass and personal items for the route

Valid ID or passport (the trek crosses into France)

Head torch and trekking poles

Trekking poles and a head torch

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

01Do I need ID to cross into France?

Yes. The trek crosses the main Pyrenean ridge into the French Couserans, so you need a valid national ID card or passport.

02Can we climb the optional summits?

Yes. Depending on the group's level and the conditions, you can add the ascent of the Maubèrme, Barlonguèra, Mont Valier or Crabèra on the corresponding stage.

03Where does the route start and finish?

It is a circular trek that starts and finishes at the Amics de Montgarri refuge, in the Val d'Aran.

04When will it be available with a fixed price and dates?

We are still finalising the refuges, dates and guide for this trip. Get in touch if you are interested and we will let you know as soon as it is available.

05How long is the trek?

Five days with four nights in mountain refuges, crossing the main Pyrenean ridge between the Val d'Aran and the French Couserans.

06When can it be done?

From July to September, depending on snow conditions on the passes above 2,400 metres.

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