“Climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities
should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement” British Mountain Council
Copyright © Victor Warth 2004-2009 All rights reserved. www.costablancamountainfriends.com
Pyrenees Hiking and Scrambling Routes
Peña Oroel. Height 1769m. Overlooking Jaca from the south the large
steel 9 meter cross on the summit can be seen from the town centre on a
clear day. The hike starts from the Merendero del Mirador de Oroel along
a well marked track that zig zags through a forest for about one hour.
The remainder of the hike is along the final headland to the cross.
Easy. Distance 10km. Duration 3.5hrs. Ascent 583m.
Pico de Anayet. Height 2574m. From a parking area on the N330
(30T 0703595 4739160) just south of Candanchú, follow the GR11 signs to
Formigal direction. The route follows the Canal Roya and Río for about 7km.
At La Rinconada and the head of the valley a zigzag track rises sharply to the
right to a shelf where the lakes of Anayet are located. Then head west on a
small track and continue the climb until the high crest and summit are seen on
the right. The final ridge scramble is exposed and via a steel security cable.
The descent scramble in misty weather is very dangerous.
Strenuous and exposed. Distance 18km. Duration 7.5hrs. Ascent 1184m.
Peña Collarada. Height 2883m. The climb can commence from Villanúa
Village at 1017m (GPS 30T 0707239 4732387) or by driving to the La Trapa
track at 1220m and parking at the barrier. Our normal ascent is through the
forest with steep sections to Llano de los Güeys. From this point more steep
climbs lead to a rock barrier scramble. This is followed by more steep climbs
until long slopes are reached with the summit in view. Rocky steep tracks
lead to the base where the white summit dome can be seen and is reached
after a short scramble. Our descent is via El Trapal refugio.
Strenuous. Distance 22km. Duration 8hrs. Ascent 1866m.
Pico de Aneto. Height 3404m. Our ascent from the refugio was on the
31st July 2007 with ideal weather conditions. Starting at 0630 hrs our first
challenge was the Portillòn Superior where access is gained to the glacier.
To cross the 3km section of glacier safely it was necessary to wear
crampons but our ice axes were not needed. Near the end of the glacier
below Punta Oliveras a steep climb of 100m takes you to stony ground
where crampons can be removed. Further climbing takes you to the
Paso de Mahoma which involves a 30m exposed scramble to the summit.
Our ascent time was 5.5hrs. Mapa excursionista Aneto Maladeta 1:25K.
Refugio de la Renclusa. Height 2140m. Ideally situated at the base of
Pico Aneto this refugio is just metres away from the main ascent track.
The services include a restaurant, bar, rental of climbing equipment and
44 bunk beds with mattresses, pillows and blankets only. Sleeping bags,
or sheets are required and towels and soap.
The cost for our group of 4 climbers in July 2007 for one night was
210 Euros and included dinner, breakfast, packed lunches and the hire
of crampons and ice axes. It’s advisable to reserve accommodation well
in advance of your visit.
Getting to the Refugio. From Benasque head north on the A139.
Turnoff to the right at K71 and follow this small road for 300m until you
arrive at a car park. If you are staying at Hotel Hospital de Benasque then
you are permitted to drive direct to the hotel car park. Otherwise it’s
necessary to park here and take a bus to La Besurta which is about 6km.
From La Besurta at 1898m the hike to the refugio takes about 40 minutes
with an ascent of 242m.
Refugio GPS 31T 0307561 4726973
1. A hike is a long walk.
2. Ascent figures are accumulative starting from the car park.
3. Duration of the event includes short stops, a short lunch break and brisk pace.
4. Distance and ascent figures have been derived by GPS.
5. GPS coordinates. Position Format UTM UPS. Map Datum European 1950.
6. Maps. Mapa y Guía Excursionista E25 Series escala 1:25000
7. All ascent, distance and other information listed on this page are as experienced by
the author but may include errors. Anyone attempting these routes should verify the
information before commencing the activity in case of errors or change.
More mountain images can be viewed at our dedicated Gallery www.mountainpixels.com
Copyright © 2004-2009 Victor Warth. All rights reserved.
July 2007 Expedition
July 2009 Expedition
Peña Oroel. Height 1769m. Revisited.
Overlooking Jaca from the south the large steel 9 meter cross on the summit can be seen from the town centre on a clear day. The hike starts from the Merendero del Mirador de Oroel along a well marked track that zig zags through a forest for about one hour.
The remainder of the hike is along the final headland to the cross.
Easy hike. Distance 10km. Duration 3.5hrs. Ascent 583m.
Bisaurin 2670m. Located in the Sierra de Secús our access was via Refugio de Lizara. From this parking point there are a number of tracks but follow the GR11.1 for about 5km until the steep summit track is reached.
To descend in a circular route hike east about 500m to pick up the first track which drops sharply down the north face. There is second track about 500m further east but both are steep and with ice and snow in mid July.
Once in the barranco continue the circuit passing Caseta de Vernera.
Use Mapa y Guía Excursionista E-25 Valles de Ansó y Echo.
Strenuous. Distance 14km. Duration 6hrs. Ascent 1200m.
Pico Llena del Bozo 2559m. Located in the Sierra de Aísa our access was via El Rigüelo in the Valle de Aisa. From this park place the track heads north crossing over the GR11.1. This track is covered with ice and snow in mid July and eventually leads to the col between Bozo and Llena de la Garganta. The track to the Bozo summit is not clearly marked but eventually we found some cairn markers. We then descended to the col ready for our ascent of the Garganta. See below. The total route data with Garganta is:
Strenuous. Distance 16km. Duration 9hrs. Ascent 1434m.
Pic du Midi d’Ossau. 2884m. From the Spanish French border post at El Portalet the Ossa looks menacing but beautiful. Time did not permit us to climb it this year.
Lac de Fabreges with Pic de la Sagette 2031m in the background.
During our rest day we drove north from Jaca and into France via the N134.
From Escot we turned east on the D294 and over the Col de Marie-Blanque.
At the D934 we headed south passing through Laruns. Further south the beautiful Pic de la Sagette and Lac de Fabreges came into view.
At the Spanish French border post of El Portalet we drank a beer with clear views of the menacing Pic du Midi d’Ossau. Over the border we drove on the A136 through El Formigal and then headed back to Jaca on the N260 and N330.
A beautiful recommended tour with a duration of 8 hours including lunch in France.
Pico Llena de la Garganta 2597m. From the col of Bozo we commenced our climb of Garganta. There is no clear route and no marks but after some scrambling we saw a few cairns. Our climbing soon developed into a grade 3 scramble and it was necessary to make new cairns ready for our route down.
There was no snow in mid July. Rope back up is advisable.
See Bozo details above for route information.
Exposed scramble.
Pico de Aspe. 2640m. Our climb started from the main ski car park area in Candanchu. The route traverses through ski areas and becomes very steep. Eventually a point is reached with views of Pico El Sombrero, Pico de la Garganta de Aisa and Pico de Aspe. See photo below. From here you descend to the barranco and then ascend to the Aspe via a steep glacier. We managed this in July without crampons but it was not easy. Above the glacier you reach a col to the right of the Aspe and from here keep to the left and follow some cairns. Our return route was the same as our ascent route.
Strenuous. Duration 8hrs. Ascent 1150m.
Mallos de Lecherin. 2452m. Departing El Rigüelo in the Valle de Aisa and after a very steep climb we reached the Mallos. Time did not permit us to climb the rock and from here we continued on to Pico de la Garganta de Borau, El Sombrero, and Pico de la Garganta de Aisa.
See continuation of our day and the other peaks below.
Pico de la Garganta de Borau. 2566m. Our approach was from the right and the ascent is a grade 2 scramble. The route to El Sombrero is difficult to find and involves descending Garganta to a ledge above the col. Follow the ledge in a clockwise direction until the ridge of El Sombrero.
From Sombrero we descended to Pico de la Garganta de Aisa 2502m. The track for descending the Aisa is difficult to find and dangerous. Finally we reached the Garganta de Aisa and El Rigüelo after crossing several glaciers in July.
The four combined peaks in one day took the following time.
Very strenuous. Distance 18km. Duration 9hrs. Ascent 1350m.