Tourism in Benasque: nature, routes and unique experiences
Recommended excursions in the Benasque area
Below you will find a selection of routes with their main data (type, distance, time, elevation gain) and a detailed description of each route.
S-1 Forau de Aigualluts Geomorphological Trail
The trail begins at the Vado de la Besurta parking area. Along the way, you'll encounter granite boulders once transported by the glacier. In just over 5 minutes, you'll reach the vicinity of the Benasque Hospital, which you'll leave to your right to continue along the path that ascends through pine trees and meadows to Pllan d'Estan, a meadow formed on the site of a former silted-up lake.
For a few hundred meters, the trail follows a forest track, passes by the Pllan d'Estan cabin, and returns to the meadow, descending slightly to the ascent that leads to La Besurta. About 10 minutes after leaving La Besurta, you'll reach the junction with the path that climbs to the right towards the La Renclusa refuge. Pay attention to take the correct direction, as our route continues along the path to the left, which will lead us directly to the viewpoint overlooking the Forau de Aigualluts. Here, we can enjoy the spectacular landscape of this underground cavity, whose roof has collapsed, and have the opportunity to observe the Aneto glacier ending in a meadow where the river forms numerous meanders after a beautiful waterfall.
S-3 Estós Valley. Ibonet de Batisielles – Ibón de Escarpinosa
The trail begins at the parking area located at the start of the Estós Valley. The first part of the trail coincides with the GR 11 marked trail (red and white blazes). The route passes by the Santa Ana cabin and continues along the track until you reach the turnoff to the Ibonet de Batisielles lake, which is signposted on your left.
We leave the wide track at the bottom of the valley and take the turnoff towards Ibonet, whose path climbs through a lush beech forest until we reach a tiny lake in a meadow area, the Ibonet de Batisielles. To reach the end of our route, we must continue walking for approximately 40 more minutes, following the directional signs that will lead us along a small path to the impressive Ibón de Escarpinosa.
S-4 Eriste Valley. Espigantosa Waterfall – Ángel Orús Refuge
The trail begins opposite the Espigantosa waterfall. To reach the waterfall by car, take the paved road in the town of Eriste signposted for the Ángel Orús refuge (El Forcau). The road zigzags up the hillside until it ends, becoming a dirt and gravel surface. You will pass the Eriste viewpoint, which will be on your left, and further on you will find the junction for the Tamarrius bridge, which you will also pass, as the road continues straight ahead to the parking area opposite the Espigantosa waterfall.
The route coincides with the PR-36 (marked with yellow and white blazes). The path narrows immediately after crossing the bridge over the Ésera River and ascends through a lush forest alongside the river. After approximately one hour of walking, we will reach a more open area by the river where we will find the Presentet Bridge, a good place to rest before continuing the route. From here, the path becomes quite steep, which is overcome by short switchbacks through an area of black pine and rhododendron, until reaching the Ángel Orús Refuge.
S-5 Lliterola Valley. White Ibonet
S-6 Sahún. Barbarisa Lakes
The trail begins in the village of Sahún, but can also be accessed halfway from the Sahún pass. In the village of Sahún, take the path towards Plan and San Juan de Plan, also marked as PR-S1 (yellow and white blazes). This path heads south from the village and then gradually enters the Sahún Valley with a slight incline. The trail ascends close to the Surri ravine until reaching the Es Prats cabin. Here, take the path heading north, which follows the ravine first along its left bank and then along its right.
If we start from the Collado de Sahún: We must descend the track towards Chia until the junction with the dirt road that we will find on our left and that gives access to the d'Es Prats cabin.
Once we reach Ibón Chicot de Barbarisa, we would only need 15 more minutes of ascent to reach Ibón Gran de Barbarisa.
