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Ruta de los Tres Refugios: 6-day trek with Pico Posets summit in the Pyrenees

Ruta de los Tres Refugios: 6-day trek with Pico Posets summit in the Pyrenees | undefined

Local UIMLA certified mountain guide Arantxa Gutierrez takes you to the summit of Pico Posets on this classic "hut-to-hut" trek in the Spanish Pyrenees.

Group

Pyrénées

6 Days

Aug

High

Intermediate


Highlights

* Summit Pico Posets (3369m), the second highest peak in the Pyrenees

* 5 nights full board accommodation in picturesque mountain huts is included

* Tour the abundant alpine lakes and peaks of the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park

Description

On this multi-day trek, I will take you on the Ruta de los Tres Refugios, or “Three Huts Route”. Over the course of 6 days, we will trek from hut-to-hut and summit the mighty Pico Posets (3369m). This peak, located within the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, is the second highest in the Pyrenees.

As we make our way along the Ruta de los Tres Refugios, we will admire the Pico Posets from all sides and angles. While the Pico Posets may be the highlight of this trek, this natural area in Spain has much more to offer. Abundant mountain top lakes, high alpine meadows, rivers and peaks make this one of the most beautiful treks in the Pyrenees. If we’re lucky, we may even see some of the animals native to this area up close and personal.

During this trek, we will stay in the Estos Hut, the Biadós Hut and the Ángel Orús Hut (del Forcau). Each of these ideally situated mountain huts has its own unique character and charm. In addition to breathtaking views, you can count on a comfortable place to rest and relax. We will enjoy hearty breakfasts, boxed lunches and hot dinners prepared by the huts daily.

The Ruta de los Tres Refugios is an intermediate level trek. As such, it is suitable for fit trekkers with previous experience in the mountain. At times, the terrain is challenging and uneven. We will also make a few rivers crossings and may trek across snow in some areas.

For more details, please see the day-by-day itinerary below. We will follow this itinerary as closely as possible, but please keep in mind that some details may change due to weather or other circumstances.

Every summer, I lead this trip starting in Benasque, my hometown, with 4-8 participants. Adventurous travelers and trekkers from around the world are invited to join me! As an avid traveler myself, I am fluent in Spanish, Castilian, French and English, so hopefully we won’t have any language barriers.

To get in touch with me or reserve your spot on this group tour, click on “Request to book”. I would love to show you the Ruta de los Tres Refugios. As you stand atop the Pico Posets, you will quickly understand why the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park holds such a special place in the locals’ hearts. 

If you would like to organize a private tour, please contact me directly for more information and prices.

If you are looking for more treks to do in the Pyrenees, I also offer a 6-day trek on the Carros de Foc. For more information on this hut-to-hut trek in the nearby Aigüestortes National Park, click here.

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

- Personal insurance

Price details

This is the price to join my group tour. Breakfasts, box lunches and hot dinners are included in the price, with the exception of lunch on the first day. Please bring a sack lunch to enjoy on the trail the first day. The mountain huts offer additional products and services such as beverages, hot showers, etc. that are NOT included in the price of this trip. Personal accident insurance is included, but I recommend each trekker have medical insurance coverage as well.


Itinerary

Day 1: Benasque - Aneto Campground - Estos Hut

  • 4 hours

  • 9.4 kilometers

  •  621m,  53m

  • Easy

On the first day, we will meet in the town of Benasque and carpool to the Aneto Campground. We will leave our cars parked here for the duration of our trek. From the campground, we will begin our trek toward the Estos Hut.

A forested path will lead us up the Estos River to the entrance of the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park. From here, we will follow a trail to the Estos Hut. Along the way, we will have views of Pico Posets and the surrounding mountain peaks.

Day 2: Estos Hut - Chistau Pass - Biadós Hut

  • 6 hours

  • 11.5 kilometers

  •  750m,  850m

  • Intermediate

After breakfast, we will set out toward the Biadós Hut.

From the Estos Hut, we will follow the Estos River up the valley and cross it upon reaching the Chistau Pass. At this point, we will have incredible views over the entire Estos Valley.

From the top of the mountain pass, we will descend through alpine meadows into the Chistau Valley below. Once we reach the Cinqueta River, we will cross to the other side and continue along the trail.

After passing by the Añes Cruces Cabin, we will have nearly arrived at our destination: the Biadós Hut.

Day 3: Biadós Hut - Forquesta Pass - Ángel Orús Hut

  • 7.5 hours

  • 9.6 kilometers

  •  1125m,  800m

  • Intermediate

Heading east from the Biadós Hut, we will cross a small ravine and trek past a barn and some haystacks before once again crossing the Cinqueta River.

Once on the other side, we will continue onward through the Riberata Ravine until reaching the Ibón de Millars. From this glacial lake, we will climb up to the Collado de Eriste (de la Forqueta). At 2864m, this mountain pass will prepare us for our summit on Pico Posets the following day.

From the mountain pass, we will descend toward the Ibón de Llardaneta, another glacial lake. We will follow another ravine from here, crossing to the other side just before reaching the Ángel Orús Hut (del Forcau).

Day 4: PICO POSETS SUMMIT

  • 9 hours

  • 11 kilometers

  •  1275m,  1275m

  • Difficult

Today, we will wake up earlier than usual in order to get an early start on the day.

Retracing our steps, we will return to the Ibón de Llardaneta and the Fonda Canal. We will follow this canal uphill and traverse a section that is often covered in snow. The climb from here to the summit of the Pico Posets (3369m) is steep, but the views from the top will be well worth the effort.

We will descend via the same route and spend the night back at the Ángel Orús Hut.

Day 5: Ángel Orús Hut - Plana Pass - Estos Hut

  • 7.5 hours

  • 10.5 kilometers

  •  640m,  850m

  • Intermediate

After breakfast, we will make our way toward the Ibones Valley.

Along the way, we will pass by the Llardaneta Hut and the Ibón de Eriste, a double glacial lake. Continuing upward from here, we will reach the Plana Pass (2700m). As we cross this mountain pass, we will trek along the coast of the Ibón de la Plana. We will also have spectacular views of Pico Posets.

On the other side of the pass, we will descend past glacial lakes until reaching the Perramó Pass. From this pass beside the granite peaks of Agulla de Perramó, we will have panoramic views of the Batisielles Valley below.

We will pass by several alpine lakes as we make our way toward the Estos Valley and the Cascada de Molseret. From this waterfall, we will once again find the ravine that leads us back to the Estos Hut.

Day 6: Estos Hut - Aneto Campground - Benasque

  • 2.5 hours

  • 9.4 kilometers

  •  53m,  621m

  • Easy

On our final day, we will retrace our steps back to the Aneto Campground and return to Benasque to celebrate!

 

Details

More info

The staff at the mountain huts will do their best to accommodate any special dietary needs. Please let me know in advance if you require special meals.

You can opt to enroll in the virtual trail program. If you choose to participate, you will be given a chip to track your progress throughout the trek. Once you have finished, you will be given a certificate of completion. There is no cost to participate in the virtual trail program, however you will be asked to leave either €35 or your ID as a security deposit for the chip.

RECOMMENDED GEAR: -Pants and shorts -Short and long sleeve t-shirts -Hiking boots or shoes -Sandals (you can also wear the sandals provided by the huts as you must enter without shoes) -Sunglasses and a hat -Waterproof or windproof jacket -Fleece jacket or lightweight sweater -Undergarments -Personal higiene products -Sunscreen and lip balm -Insect repellent -Medications (if applicable) -Water bottle -Headlamp or flashlight -Quick dry towel -Bandana or "Buff" -Personal identification (ID) -Lightweight sleeping bag or liner (the huts provide blankets) -Mid-sized backpack

Meeting point

Benasque, Spain

About the guide

Guide profile image

Arantxa

Mountain Guide

I am an insatiable adventure traveler, tirelessly addicted to the mountain. I have long since traded pen and ink for my backpack and boots.

Skiing is one of my greatest passions, and I have been a ski instructor for more than 15 years. During the winter months, I am willing to work just about anywhere in the world where there is snow. I am also a lifelong mountain enthusiast. In 2009, I started my professional career guiding trips both nationally here in Spain (in the Pyrenees) and internationally.

I am affable and quite talkative, if I do say so myself. As a guide, I thoroughly enjoy sharing experiences and exchanging life stories with fellow travelers and adventurers.

Languages

French | English

Certificates

AEGM | UIMLA


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