30/03/2019

Route to the Estany de Sant Maurici viewpoint

A man with a backpack walks along a rock next to a lake
Route to the Mirador del Estany de Sant Maurici

Source: http://www.pirineos3000.com/fotos/ascensiones/800×600/19329_5.jpg
  • Itinerary : Estany de Sant Maurici-Estany de Ratera-Estany viewpoint-Estany de Sant Maurici.

  • Access: From Espot, take the Sant Maurici road to the Prat de Pierró car park and then take route 1 to the information booth at the lake.

  • Tour duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (it is not necessary to plan the return trip, as this is a closed itinerary).

  • Difficulty: low.

  • Elevation: 300 m (1,910-2,210).

  • Recommended season: from the end of May to the end of October.

  • Observations: An ideal route to get an overview of the upper Escrita River basin and to enjoy truly spectacular scenery throughout the entire route.


Overview



From the Sant Maurici information booth, take the path toward Ratera waterfall , which connects with the track that climbs to Ratera Lake , just before reaching the latter. Once you've left the lake, you'll see a fork next to a small lake. Take the path to the left that will take you to the viewpoint. The place lives up to its name and invites you to let your eyes and spirit wander in the magnificent landscape. If you continue ahead, flanking the foothills of Pic del Portarró along a well-marked trail, you'll find the path that descends from the pass of the same name and leads down toward Sant Maurici Lake.

Points of interest




  1. Ratera Waterfall: This is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the National Park, spanning the gap between the hanging valley of Ratera and the main valley of Sant Maurici.

  2. L'Ordigal: a strategic point from which we can clearly observe the glacial valleys of Monestero and Subenuix, as well as the Portarró d'Espot pass, a natural pass to the Sant Nicolau riverbank.

  3. Estany de Ratera: one of the most characteristic ponds in this sector, where trout swim and jump into the water more or less confidently, without fear of the fishermen.

  4. The Mirador del Estany: Located on the path that connects the two slopes of the Escrita Valley, this is a unique spot for admiring the surrounding landscape. Here, there's an orientation chart that helps you identify the main topographic features in the area.

  5. Subenuix Ravine: The area near the ravine offers a magnificent example of the Park's subalpine forests. We'll find beautiful specimens of spruce, black pine, rowan, birch, goat willow, and so on.


Source: http://www.aiguestortes.info/rutas/ruta-mirador-sant-maurici/