Estany de Sant Maurici is the largest lake and gives its name to the Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici. This lake is fed by a river waterfall called Cascada de Ratera that drains from a higher lake, Estany de Ratera. This easy-medium 12-kilometre circular hiking route with an elevation gain of 500 metres over a distance of six kilometres passes via the Río Escrita river valley from Espot to Sant Maurici lake.
The trailhead is the parking zone near to Camping Voraparc about 3Km from the village of Espot. Follow the Camí a Sant Maurici forestall path parallel to the river along the long wooden walkways, Passarel·la del Pont de la Gorga and cross Río Escrita via the footbridge.
The Camí a Sant Maurici GR 11 long distance path (Gran Recorrido 11) turns zig zags via some stone steps to reach a mountain meadow with views up the valley. It is best to keep dogs on a leash here because this meadow is often full of wild horses. Follow the path crossing the road. Note that to the left where the road crosses the river there is an ornate stone bridge called Pont de Pallers.
The path soon enters woodlands interspersed with small meadows filled with wildflowers and a gradual climb commences where the path crosses the river via wooden bridges several times. After several kilometres walking under the green trees, the path transitions into a gravel track and arrives at a couple of mountain plains with the Ermita de Sant Maurici d'Espot chapel and fountain tucked away in a corner against the side of mountain.
Continuing along the gravel path through some zig zag curves the path continues to ascend until a hard hairpin bend. On the corner of this bend there is a fantastic viewpoint looking over the valley. Follow the gravel path up to arrive at the beautiful glacial water Estany Sant Maurici. Here is a great spot to admire the panoramic lake view with the high pointed granite mountain twin peeks of Els Encantats in the background. I recommend eating a snack here.
To visit the Ratera waterfall and lake take the path parallel to the lakeshore and continue the forestall path along the wooden ascending walkways until reaching Cascada de Ratera viewpoint. The waterfall has an additional viewpoint further up the path. From here keep walking up to 2100 metres where the path joins the gravel road and leads to the conifer surrounded Ratera glacial lake.
This is the turnaround point However to do this route as a three day adventure, this path can be continued further up to Refugi d'Amitges (mountain hostel) at 2380 metres as part of the famous Carros de Foc circular route from Espot to Refugi d'Amitges and crossing across the Aigüestortes mountain range to Refugi JM Blanc (mountain hostel) and descending back to espot via the Peguera valley.
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Allow 5 to 7 hours to complete this route.
Aim to start the route around 10 am to have time to go all the way to Estany de Ratera.
Drive from the village of Espot along Carretera d'Espot a Sant Maurici and once past the stone houses follow this road for about 3-kilometers to Aparcament de Prat Pierró | Sant Maurici (parking llac sant maurici). here you will have to pay 2 € to park for the day at the start of the route. You can walk to the start of the route from Espot village but it is a boring walk along a road.
I have always done this hike day two of a weekend getaway, staying overnight in an apartment in Espot and hiking to Estany Negre via the Vall de Peguera on the first day.
Note: that it is not permitted to swim in any of the lakes in Aigüestortes Natural park and if your caught you will get fined.
This route is great with a dog. The route is uphill all the way to the top of Ratera waterfall which is pysically demanding both for humans and dogs. Note that there could be snow and the lakes iced over up to the beginning of May at the altitide of the ratera waterfall so ensure your dog does not get cold or frozen paw pads.
Foliage is scrub and trees with sections through pines. The chances of finding poisonous Pine Processionary Caterpillars is medium and I advise diligence in spring and summer.
This is an easy-medium walking route. I always do it with a small rucksack of the essentials and first aid kit. Emergency waterproof/windproof jacket is advised because it can be windy in these high mountains.
I would start the route with 2 to 3 litres of water, knowing that there is plenty of fresh water in the lakes.
Address: Espot, Lleida. 25597
There is a Bus service for the skiing season that goes to Port Ainé and Espot Ski resorts if you book it in advance. There is no public transport option to get to Espot in the summer.
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Easy 12Km linear hiking route along Río Escrita to Estany Sant Maurici (largest Aigüestortes lake), Cascada de Ratera waterfall & Estany Ratera
Distance: 11.89 Km
Difficulty: Easy
Return Travel Fare: €20.00
Transport Network: Car
Mountain Forecast weather for Aigüestortes Pic Morto
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