Select Country

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park

A crystal-clear paradise in a peaceful, relaxing setting.

The Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park presents the typical high mountain features of the Pyrenees, as well as its trademark: water.

This park is characterised by its crystal-clear waters that run through its many lakes and rivers, and make this Pyrenean landscape rich. As well as the torrents and waterfalls, there are thick forests which look extremely beautiful when it snows. But its landscape is not the only important thing - its biological wealth is extraordinary. It is a real paradise for nature lovers: lakes, torrents, waterfalls, peat bogs, rocky slopes, rugged peaks and thick black pine, fir, wild pine, birch and beech forests, where many interesting alpine and northern plants and animals live.

Type of area

Parque Nacional

Information

Area: 14.119 Hectares
Location: The park is situated in the province of Lleida (Catalonia), in north-eastern Spain.

Information for visits: The usual places from which to get to the heart of the park are Espot (Pallars Sobirà) and Boí (Alta Ribagorça). There are over twenty signposted trails. You can check the Visitor Centres on this page.

More access information.

Environmental information: It is a Pyrenean high mountain ecosystem. Its most outstanding features are the more than 200 lakes or "estanys", the spectacular "Els Encantats" crags and the typical meanders ("aigüestortes"). The forests are very representative here: black pine, fir, wild pine, birch and beech. Bearded vultures are the most typical birds in the park. They live on the rock faces and nest in ledges, caves and crevices. There are many animals living in the lakes and rivers: common trout, rainbow trout, common frog, common toad and Pyrenean newt. The Pyrenean muskrat lives in the rivers and streams, although it is hard to spot because it usually comes out at night. There are also otters.

Cultural information: Art is an alternative to nature in this area, because it is situated in an area where the Romanesque style enjoyed a boom in the Middle Ages. One of the important places is the Romanesque site in the Vall de Boí valley, with the UNESCO World Heritage designation.

Authorisations: You will find more information about the permits you need at the following links:

Guided visit to the Pastores Ecomuseum (Llessui)

Visit to the Senet Centre