NP d'Aiguestortes Sant Maurici Lake

Travelled:86km
Stay: La Seu d'Urgell - aire, free Parking & services. N42.359200 E1.464410
Visited: Park National d'Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici

Today was a day to remember!  A highlight on our trip. We just love the mountains...let's start at the beginning.  The rain was gone and we woke to clear blue skies. We must admit it had been a chilly night and I had been worried about the temperature gauge hitting 5c as this would automatically release the water out of the hot water system and drain our tank. So I popped the heater on at 3:30am for dual purposes, saving our water and heating up the Bluey. So the next concern for the day was how we were to get to Lake Maurici, there are several choices 1. Walk 8km from Espot. 2. Drive 4km up to nearest car park then walk 4km (road has 2m width allowance so no good for Bluey) 3. Take a 'taxi' from Espot €10.50 return but you have to wait until there are at least 4 passengers.

4wd taxi In Espot

 We were lucky that we didn't have to wait too long,  by 9:50am we were off for the 20 min ride to the Lake. On the way we were lucky to come across a healthy herd of deer as hunting is not allowed in the park. From the very beginning of this walk the view is stunning - the lake with a back drop of snow capped mountain tops, as we are at 1910m alt. 

From here we walked along the lake to the Ratera Cascade and then up to the head of the falls. 

We continued on to Ratera Lake along the snow covered track. The views were dazzling.  

We then followed the snowy track to the lookout over St Maurici Lake. Truly breathtaking.  

Up to here it had been a reasonable easy walk going up 300m in elevation over 2 hours. After a rest and a gaze at the scenery we doubled back as the park info office told us this morning that the circuit route was currently closed, but we didn't mind one bit as we could revisit all the beautiful vistas. We made it back to Lake St Maurici with half an hour to spare for our 2pm booked pick up time. While we had a chat with fellow taxi Korean passengers who live in Venezuela. 

Normally on such an exciting day we would stay and chill,  reflecting on the awesome day, but we had already stretched our welcome in the car park that restricts motorhomes from 10pm to 8am, so we took off, travelling through Sort following a fast flowing river that is popular for rafting.

 We checked out a few possible overnight parking areas but continued on the N260 over the Col de Canto with its red stone villages and scenic valley views until we reached La Seu d'Urgell.  

We stopped for a quick shop (bought some NZ lamb chops! ) before settling into the aire. May go for a visit into town after dinner. Fit bit steps15500

Val d'Aran drive

Travelled : 115km
Drive: Val d'Aran
Stay: Espot- free parking, no services N42.5748 E1.09137  (technically not allowed between 10pm-8am) next option is ski resort 2km out of town but other motorhomer said should be okay for 1 night.

There was no rush to leave this morning as the clouds and rain had come. Mark spent the morning listening to the football and then we did the services before heading off.

The tunnel before Vielha that is 5.2km long...and dry!

 We thought we may as well drive somewhere whilst the weather was wet, and did it pour as we made our way to Vielha the capital of Val d'Aran. As it was Sunday no shops were open but we did manage to get a baguette for lunch. 

From here we turned back East taking the C28 over the Bonaigua Pass 2072m.  We were so lucky that the clouds decided to lift so we could enjoy the stunning view of the valley and mountains. In this area there are 100km of skiing slopes and lots of hikes. We stopped to look around for a bit.

They used this snow plow/tractor whilst making the pass during 1944-49

Some flowers of the high country

Whilst we were walking around we heard a rumble and saw snow/ice rocks tumbling down onto the road just missing some motorbikes. Glad Bluey wasn't in the way..

We then zig zagged our way down into the next valley.

We stopped in Espot where we will stay the night with the intention of going on a hike tomorrow to Sant Maurici Lake from which the National Park gets its name from. Fingers crossed the weather fines up. If you have a look at a map you will see we are actually doing a loop around the park.

Now that's a foundation that won't move!