Sarrios Valley from Lizara

Sarrios Valley from Lizara

From the Lizara mountain hut to the Sarrios Valley 6.2 km

The car park of the Lizara refuge (0h 00min) marks the starting point for this hiking route in the Pyrenees.

On the side of the hut the path awaits us, which we must follow and which begins the long ascent ahead of us.

This trail quickly takes us to the path that leads to the Foratón pass, the route followed by mountaineers to climb Bisaurín from the Lizara refuge. This stretch of path allows us to contemplate the wide gorge that we are about to cross.

After a short while we come across the turn-off that we must follow, saying goodbye to the path that leads to the pass. The trail that we are following makes us gain altitude fairly quickly as we walk through a beautiful forest that offers us the little shade that we will have all day.

Almost without noticing it, the silhouette of the Oldecua shelter appears before us, although our path hardly comes close to it.

Once we leave the refuge behind us, the slope begins to give us a small respite, these less demanding sections are very common along the entire route.

Little by little we go up the ravine following the paved path that cuts through the mountainside.

After a while a metal gate, which prevents the passage of livestock, forces us to take a short break to go through it. The upper part of the ravine we are climbing seems to be getting closer and closer.

Although there is still the typical zigzagging that allows us to overcome this final stretch. But this is not really the end of the ravine, as after overcoming this step more steep slopes await us as we continue to gain height.

The GR 11 markings continue to indicate a path that leaves little room for doubt. Soon we will reach a new section that winds through the mountain looking for the most comfortable way to overcome this steep part of the route.

After regaining our lost orientation, the welcoming forest refuge awaits us in front of us, a magnificent place to take a break and catch our breath. We say goodbye to the refuge to walk the last stretch of this part of the ascent.

Little by little the Plana Mistresa or Llano de Paúl de Bernera, as it is also known, opens up before us. Before reaching it we have the option of crossing the river to follow the GR 11 markings on the other side.

But if we don't want to do it or if the river is too strong, we can continue a little further, as just at the entrance to the plain, on our right, after crossing the river, the path that borders this green plain of Mistresa awaits us.

Both options join a little further on, and together they continue up this part of the route. Not far ahead we come to another fork. Here, unless we are very attentive, we will not see the GR 11 markings that lead us to the option on the right, which is much less trodden.

In any case, both possibilities run parallel to each other, one in the middle of the slope and the other along the lower part of the valley.

The two routes join a little further on, just where a small detour awaits us, which, if we follow it, will take us to the small Old glacier lake. If we have approached the lake there is no need to go back, we can return to the path a little further on.

Once on our path we reach the Bernera pass, the highest point on our route. From here we will begin the stony descent that will take us to our destination today.

Almost without realising it, the majestic Sarrios Valley (3h 10min) appears before us, which we reach by following the well-defined path that has served as a guide until now.

From the Sarrios Valley to the viewpoint of the Estanés glacial lake 0.5 km

With our main objective achieved, we leave the GR 11 path that continues its course towards the Estanés lake, approximately 1.8 km from where we are, and we head towards a privileged balcony that will allow us to contemplate this spectacular lake from a different panoramic viewpoint.

We have to climb a few metres up the side of the mountain to our left, almost at the end of the valley, following what looks like a kind of trail that is rather blurred by the vegetation.

The slope is obvious but nothing compared to the more than 200 m that we would have to climb to return to Lizara if we go down to the Estanés glacial lake.

This part of the route is not marked and, as I have already mentioned, the trail is barely discernible, so we have to find the best way to gain altitude.

We wind our way along the hillside using what looks like the dry riverbed of a torrent as a reference point.

We look for the small pass between the two hills in front of us. Little by little, the slope gradually becomes less steep, allowing us to enjoy the valley at our feet.

Once over the pass, the only thing left to do is to get closer to this improvised viewpoint (3h 40min), with magnificent views of the Estanés lake and other wonders of this area of the Pyrenees.

From the viewpoint at Estanés glacial lake to Lizara mountain hut 6.6 km

Once we have enjoyed this spot we return to the Sarrios Valley following our steps and once there we return to the path by which we reached the valley to return to the Lizara mountain hut.

The return trip is easy, following the same route, taking care, once we reach the Bernera pass, not to get the wrong path and follow the one that goes up to Liouviella Peak.

After the detour to the Old lake we can take the path that we rejected on our way up and thus get to know the other itinerary first hand. Another point where we must be attentive is at the exit of the Llano de Paúl de Bernera and not skip the path that descends next to the river. Once we have passed these places we only have to follow the path that will take us to the Lizara mountain hut (5h 36min) where we will put an end to this beautiful hiking route.

Technical data sheet of the route

Distance. 13.3Km

This figure covers both the detour to the viewpoint and the Old Lake.

Time. 5:36h

This time includes both the detour to the Old Lake and the ascent to the Estanés Lake viewpoint.

Time of year

This route is designed for summer conditions, as in winter with snow or ice, its difficulty and demands are considerably increased. Be careful on very hot days, as there is no shade on almost the entire route. Beware of fog and storms, this is an area prone to both.

Required equipment

Initially, and weather and terrain conditions permitting, this is a route that does not require very technical equipment. Hiking or trekking boots or shoes, your rucksack with the essentials and clothes according to the weather conditions that you may encounter. It is important to carry enough water and food, and walking poles will also be a good companion on the route. Consult our list of material and equipment for hiking. Read more.

Difficulty. Medium

Physical

For a mountain route in the Pyrenees this is not a physically demanding itinerary, given its distance and gradient, as long as we are used to this type of activity. Another very different thing is if we decide to go down to the Estanés lake, in which case the difference in altitude and the additional kilometres considerably increase the physical demands of the route.

Severity of the environment

In this section, as always, we refer to the conditions we found at the time of the route, i.e. summer conditions and good weather. At first glance it may appear to be an itinerary without major difficulties beyond the usual mountain trails. This is partly the case, although we must bear in mind that we will be crossing areas that are somewhat exposed to possible rockfalls.

Orientation

It is well signposted, with the GR 11 and the Camille path markings that coincide with our route at all times. The only section that is not signposted and where a path to guide us is conspicuous by its absence is at the turn-offs to both the Ibón Viejo and the Estanés lake viewpoint. Even so, we must be attentive as there are quite a few trails and footpaths that we will come across.

Coordinates UTM Datum WGS84

Profile of the route

Cartography, maps and tracks

This sketch of the route is not made to scale nor does it contain all the information relating to the area, it is merely indicative.

This schematic with the path is approximate and has been created from the derived cartographic base © Instituto Geográfico Nacional "Cuadrante 114-2 1:25.000".

Senditur has manipulated the tracks to correct the aberrant points that may exist, caused by problems with the reception of the GPS signal. In any case the tracks are always approximate. SENDITUR encourages you to use the new technologies within your reach, using them as support and consultation in your activity, not basing the realization and orientation of the same only and exclusively on them, since they may see their functioning altered by very diverse causes, not functioning correctly and their indications may not be precise.