Hiking routes are an increasingly sought-after attraction for nature and travel lovers. Discovering new places, climbing mountains or enjoying unique landscapes are some of the motivations of those who choose the mountain tourism.
For its part, thanks to the particular orography of the Peninsula, the northern spain It offers many alternatives to choose from, with routes and trails to enjoy unique natural treasures.
The autonomous community of Aragon Its lands combine green fields and rugged mountains, offering some of the best hiking alternatives in the country. In the north of the province of Huesca is one of them, the Posets-Maladeta Natural Parkwhich houses one of the most remarkable natural enclaves of the Benasque Valley.
Posets-Maladeta Natural Park
He Posets-Maladeta Natural Park It is a protected natural area in the province of Huesca divided into three main valleys, Benasquethat of These and that of Vallibierna. In addition, the natural area has the two highest peaks in all of Aragon, the Aneto and the Pic Posets.
The place offers many options to enjoy the nature it shelters inside, such as hiking and mountaineering routes. So one of them goes to one of the glacial lakes -known in Aragon as ibones- the most unique in the region, the Ibonet de Batisielles.
Route of Batisielles Ibonet
He Batisilles Ibonet It is a glacial lake located in the meadow where the river of the same name, the Batisielles, flows. The enclave is also located in the Estós Valley, one of the three valleys that make up the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park.
The most famous route to visit is the one that runs along the trail S3 and later the GR11. It takes about 3 hours round trip and is 10 kilometers long with a maximum gradient of 550 meters.
To begin, you will need to go to the parking lot of the Estos ValleyNearby, it will be possible to start the route by a path which goes into the forest and runs alongside the river which gives its name to the valley.
Shortly after the start of the tour, it will be possible to appreciate the Estos Reservoir. After half an hour of travel, you will have to go through the Aiguacari Levera bridge that allows you to cross to the other side of the river.
Once the bridge is crossed, it will be possible to access the Santa Ana Cabin; From there, signs will indicate the route to the Ibonet de Batisielles. To continue, you will have to enter an immense leafy forest through which you will cross another bridge, the Carboneros Lever.
Finally, we will have to continue a winding climb that will take us to the meadows of Batisielles. From there it will be possible to appreciate the Ibonet of Batisiellesits impressive waters and the vegetation that surrounds it.
Other options
If the Batisielles Ibonet route is not enough, just 40 minutes from this place is another of the largest ibonets in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park. It is none other than the Ibon of Escarpinosaanother glacial lake that stands out for the beautiful landscape of black pine trees that surround it.
The route has great similarities with that of the Ibonet de Batisielles. Therefore, to reach Ibón de Escarpinosa, you will first have to travel the entire previous route until reaching the glacial lake. From there, you will have to continue a little over 40 minutes following the direction signs which lead to a small path.
After that, the Ibon of Escarpinosa will be visible. The route does not present any major complications and is fully signposted from the detour via the Ibón de Batisielles. Upon arrival, it will be possible to appreciate the lake of glacial origin, surrounded by black pines at the foot of the Perramó Needles.
The return to the parking lot is done by the same path, although the path is downhill, so the travel time will be a little shorter. In addition, it is advisable to use specialized mountain shoes and check the weather before starting the routes to know the weather and what type of clothing will be most appropriate to use.
Although neither route presents great difficulty, it is always advisable to be well prepared, with some food and water be hydrated at all times.
