Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park
Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park was created in 1995. Its 14,119 hectares make this unique National Park of Catalonia one of the most representative natural areas of the community. In addition, it has a peripheral area of special protection covering more than 26,000 hectares.
Formed by the valleys of the Rivers Sant Nicolau and Escrita, water is the main protagonist of an area full of lakes, meanders, waterfalls and peat bogs from the aforementioned rivers and their tributaries. With all the attraction and natural diversity typical of the Pyrenees, the park's main tourist attractions are the Sant Maurici pond and the Aigüestortes meadow. The first is a huge stretch of water with easy access from the River Escrita, which is protected by the imposing presence of the Serra dels Encantats, at an altitude of 2,747 metres. For its part, the Aigüestortes meadow (Aguas Tortuosas in Spanish) is a large plain pierced by the sinuous meanders of the Sant Nicolau Riveru.
Vegetation and fauna
The flora of the Aigüestortes park is mainly composed of black pine, oak, ash and beech forests. Its fauna also responds to the characteristics of the high Pyrenean mountains, finding among its most representative species the capercaillie, the golden eagle, the bearded vulture, the wild boar or the roe deer.
Hiking and access
The maximum height of the Aigüestortes Park is 2,982 metres from the Peguera peak. All the land of Aiguestortes Park has a wide and well-defined network of paths. The Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici park itself organises excursions and occasional activities.
Most common accesses to the Aigüestortes park are from the towns of Pont de Suert, Boí and Espot. The most common way to get there is by car, and for this purpose free car parks have been set up at the main entrances to welcome the large number of visitors from all over Spain and France. Another option is to get there by bus, taking one of the lines that operate from the surrounding towns.
Some recommendations for eating and sleeping around the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici Park
In Barruera
Restaurante El Ventador
Restaurante La Llebreta
In Boí
Restaurante La Cabana
Restaurante La Taverneta
Restaurante Ca la Pepa
In Coll
Restaurante Casa Peiró
In El Pont de Suert
Restaurante Mesón del Remei
Restaurante Casa Prades
Restaurante Ca Milieta
In Erill la Vall
Restaurante La Plaça
In Espot
Restaurante Juquim
Restaurante La Llupia
Restaurante L’Avet de Sant Maurici
In Pla de l’Ermita
Restaurante Sant Quirze
Restaurante Karpanta
In Tahull
Restaurante El Caliu
Restaurante El Fai
In Barruera
Hotel Farré d’Aball
Casa Rural Hortal
Casa Rural La Comella
Casa Rural Coll
In Boí
Hotel Pey
Apartamentos Arenys de Boí
Apartamentos La Peguera
Camping Taüll
In Caldes de Boí
Hotel Caldas
Hotel Manantial
In Cardet
Casa Rural Torellola
Casa Farré
In Coll
Hotel Casa Peiró
In El Pont de Suert
Hotel Flor de Neu
Hotel Cotori
Hotel Mestre
Camping Can Roig
Camping Del Remei
Camping Alta Ribagorça
In Erill la Vall
Hostal La Plaça
Casa Rural Pernalle
Casa Rural L’Era de ferro
In Espot
Hotel Saurat
Hotel Roca Blanca
Hotel Roya
Camping Sol i Neu
Camping La Mola
Camping Voraparc
In Pla de l’Ermita
Hotel Boí Taüll Resort
Hotel El Bouquet
Apartamentos Pleta Bona
In Tahull
Hotel El Rantiner
Hotel El Xalet de Taüll
Casa Rural Ca de Corral
Association of National Park Guides and Interpreters
Casa del Parque Nacional en Boí. C/ de les Graireres, 2. Lleida. Spain. Phone: +34 973.69.61.89. Coordinates GPS approx. 42º 31′ 19.67″ N – 0º 50′ 0.06″ E.
Casa del Parque Nacional en Espot. C/ de Sant Maurici, 5. Lleida. Spain. Phone: +34 973.62.40.36. Coordinates GPS approx. 42º 34′ 33″ N – 1º 5′ 16.63″ E.