AIGÜES TORTES NATIONAL PARK WITH SAN MAURICIO LAKE

Other National Mountain Park with a surface area of 9,851 ha lies between the rivers Noguera Ribagorzana and Noguera Pallaresa in the region known as Pallars Subirá in the norh of the Province of Lleida. The Park may be described as having two well-defined areas: one is Sant Nicolau Valley and the other El Escrita Valley. In the former, the beautiful lakes of glacial origin and the spectacular cirques, many of which seem to be suspended over the valley, are the most outstanding features. In the latter lies the widely known San Mauricio Lake and the breathtaking "Els Encants" massif, which quite unexpectedly towers above the valley reaching a height of 2,747m. The whole park is like an open-air museum of nature where the effect of the glacial eras in the Quaternary can be observed on the rocky surface of the Pyrenees.

Spruce, scots pine and further up black pine are the most frequently found species in the park. But its rich plant life does not end there: juniper, aspen, birch, willow, mountain ash, among others, can be found on a walk along the slopes of these mountains. In late spring and early summer, these heights are covered with an almost endless range of hues and colours: Martagon lily, amaryllis formosissima, gentian, saxifrage and the buttercup family give colour to the high Pyrenees of Lleida. Beyond the tree line, mountain meadows take the place of forests and are an important source of food for herbivorous animals.

The pine forests are the habitat of the capercaillie, and in the region of glaciers and snowdrifts lives the almost unknown ptarmigan. Among the large mammals in these high-lying valleys. Boar is an obligatory presence, but the real lord and master of these altitudes is the chamois, the black and other woodpeckers, the wallcreeper, kingfisher and many other species belong to the bird life of the Park, while fat dormouse, stoat, pine marten, northern water vole and squirrel are the most common mammals.

The suspended valleys, typical glaciers, perfectly tongue-shaped and accompanied by moraines, the deep and numerous lakes full of icy water, the erosion-affected rocks are the features which belong to an incomparable geological area with magnificent, many- coloured scenery, where the green pine forests stand out against the white snow. The Sant Nicolau Valley is reached from the village of Bohí after passing through Pont de Suert on the N-230 which leads to the Viella tunnel. The Escritá Valley is reached from the village of Espot on the C-147 after passing through Tremp and Sort. If the park is entered from Bohí, the closest Parador is the one at Viella. When the Park is approached from Espot, the closest Parador is the one called 'Don Gaspar de Portolá' at Artiés.

How to reach the Park

The National Park can be reached from three different points. From Lleida, the N-320 is followed as far as km 142 where a regional road leads to Bohí, one of the park entrances, ie, the one to Sant Nicolau Valley. Following the N-230 through the Viella Tunnel, Viella is reached where the 147, after passing through Artiés, crosses La Bonaigua Pass and Valencia de Aneu. It has several branch roads giving access to the northern part of the Park, which used to belong to the National Game Reserve of El Alto Pallars-Arán.

Further south along the same road, another branch road leads to Espot, from where the National Park is reached through El Escrita Valley with San Mauricio Lake and Els Encantats. At km111 of the N-230 from Lleida, the C-137 leads to Tremp and Pobla de Segur where it joins the C-147.

Advice of interest to visitors

• The Park has several entrances, the most convenient being at Bohí and Espot.
• The Park is at its best in late spring, during the summer and at the beginning of autumn. In winter, it is practically snowbound for several months.
• Those who enter the Park to practise mountaineering should be warned of the danger of avalanches in the spring.
• They should also be adequately equipped for the sport.
• Taking photographs and watching birds and chamois are relatively easy.
• The Park is a veritable open-air museum as regards the effects of Quaternary glaciers on the Pyrenean mountains.

The high mountains are one of the most unspoilt habitats in the peninsula. They are the refuge of animals and plants which are used to a harsh environment and must be protected at all costs. The visitor to the Park should keep it clean and not pollute it.

For full details on the Spanish National Parks (services, towns, hotels, adventure, maps, etc.), please look under "Parques Nacionales" at the website:
http://www.parquesnaturales.com (spanish only)