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Aigüestortes Peguera Valley Black Lake & Reservoirs Hiking

A challenging 15km circular hike from Espot to black lake, Refugi JM blanc & Tort de Peguera lake in Aigüestortes natural park via the Peguera river valley

Updated: Jul 1, 2024 by: Barcelona Travel Hacks Views: 653

About Aigüestortes Vall de Peguera Black Lake & Reservoirs

Vall de Peguera in the Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici is a breathtaking and challenging hiking route with an elevation gain of over a thousand metres over a distance of eight kilometres. The route is via the Peguera River valley from Espot, Spain, to the first of many great lakes that form The 141 km² Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.

The trailhead starts at the edge of Espot village and we get to it from the parking area at the entrance to the village on the LV 5004 road by crossing the village via a small street called calle de Peguera. Admire the pretty stone houses heading up to the start of the Camí de Peguera. When you leave the road onto a gravel track there is a campsite on the right, Camping la Torre.

This trail is well signposted and is part of the GR 11 long distance path (Gran Recorrido 11) trail to Estany Negre de Peguera and Refugi Josep Maria Blanc. Along the initial part of the gravel track you will see a waterfall on the right. Shortly after the waterfall the path transitions onto a footpath and settles into a steady uphill climb through shrub and shady woodlands into the Vall de Peguera valley. the green trees provide plenty of cover as the trail parallels the Riu Peguera (river). At several points you will cross the river via wooden footbridges which give excellent views of the river passing over the rocky bed. Keep an eye out for a large waterfall on the left.

After about three kilometres, the path emerges from the forest onto small mountain plains that are very swampy so the path traverses via wooden planks to pass a stone farmhouse ruin. From here the path enters the forest again and continues upwards another one and a half kilometres to get to Lake Lladres Estany de Lladres, a dammed lake with a small hydroelectric plant called Presa de la Font Grassa. This is usually where I stop to take a short break and a snack.

The path is now via a gravel road and from here on up the tree canopy is a lot thinner. After about another kilometer of this trail we pass from a distance the Trescuro lake, Estany de Trescuro where the trail climbs further along a zig zagging route for one and a half kilometers. As the trail levels out you see the corner wall of the Estany Tort de Peguera reservoir. Here most hiking trails follow the gravel road but I walk along the top of the dam and follow a small path parallel to the lake until I get to the Refugi JM Blanc (Mountain hostel). In the summer when the Refugi is open it is possible to get a beer, wine or something stronger here and sit at the edge of the lake enjoying the panoramic lake view.

Note: that it is not permitted to swim in any of the lakes in Aigüestortes Natural park and if your caught you will get fined therefore I cannot recommend swimming infront of the refugi.

From Refugi Josep Maria Blanc I followed the gravel road for 350 metres to get to Estany Negre de Peguera. Despite its name, this lake does not have dark water but perfect blue crystal clear glacial water. From the small dam wall, the path continues to zig zag up the mountain to the right of the dam before dropping down to a spot next to the water. This is another discrete place that I like to take a rest and admire the picture perfect landscapes of the lake surrounded by granite mountain views reflecting on the lake with conifers all around.

The Estany Negre de Peguera is the turnaround point of this route and I returned to Espot via the same path that I used to ascend. The Aigüestortes Vall de Peguera is a challenging 15km circular route that I have done twice, once in August and once in early spring with snow on the upper part of the trail.

Visiting Aigüestortes Vall de Peguera Black Lake & Reservoirs

Allow 7 to 9 hours to complete this route.

Aim to start the route around 10 am to have time to go all the way to Estany de Negre.

Alternatively, this can be done as a two day Aigüestortes hike staying overnight in Refugi Josep Maria Blanc. This gives you more time to explore further up the trail past Estany de Negre to enjoy more breathtaking views.

I have always done this hike as a one day route, forming day one of a weekend getaway, staying overnight in an apartment in Espot and hiking to Maurici Lake and Ratera Waterfall on the second day.

What to take with you for Aigüestortes Vall de Peguera Black Lake & Reservoirs

This is a medium-hard walking route. I always do it with a small rucksack of the essentials and first aid kit. Emergency waterproof/windproof jacket is advised because it can be windy in these high mountains.

I would start the route with 2 to 3 litres of water, knowing that there is plenty of fresh water in the lakes.

Aigüestortes Vall de Peguera Black Lake & Reservoirs Summary of Prices

Train/Bus Fare Entry Ticket Additional Information Train/Bus Fare Entry Ticket Additional Information Adult € 25.00 € 0.00 Child € 25.00 € 0.00

Getting to Aigüestortes Vall de Peguera Black Lake & Reservoirs

Address: Espot, Lleida. 25597

Documents for Aigüestortes Vall de Peguera Black Lake & Reservoirs

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Wikiloc Trail for Aigüestortes Vall de Peguera Black Lake & Reservoirs

a0305 - Aigüestortes Vall de Peguera Black Lake and Reservoirs

A challenging 15km circular hike from Espot to black lake, Refugi JM blanc & Tort de Peguera lake in Aigüestortes natural park via the Peguera river valley

Distance: 15.12 Km

Difficulty: Moderate

Return Travel Fare: €20.00

Transport Network: Car

Weather for Espot


Mountain Forecast weather for Aigüestortes Pic Morto


Where to stay overnight in the Aigüestortes Vall de Peguera Black Lake Hike

Things to do near Aigüestortes Vall de Peguera Black Lake & Reservoirs

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