Estanys de Pessons and the Collada dels Pessons from Grau Roig

Start at the Cubil car park in the Grau Roig sector of the Grandvalira ski area (2,104 m) and follow the track and path west to the Restaurant Refugi del Llac de Pessons, beside Estany Primer, the first lake. Beyond it the Pessons path (GR7 and GRP, white and red marks) climbs west past Estany Rodó and Estany de les Fonts, passes above the lake called Cap dels Pessons and zigzags up the last slope to the Collada dels Pessons, a pass of 2,814 m in OpenStreetMap with a view back over the chain of lakes. The walk returns the way it came.

It is 10.7 km out and back with 669 m of ascent (Visit Andorra gives 5.95 km and +707 m for the walk to the pass); allow about 5 hours. The grade is Hard: Visit Andorra rates the route Difficult, and above the lakes the path is rough ground (OpenStreetMap tags it mountain_hiking and smoothness horrible) with granite scree to cross and a steep finish at nearly 2,800 m.

Marmots may be heard on the steeper ground. Mountain weather changes quickly, so carry warm and waterproof clothes, water and a charged phone. Visit Andorra advises routes above 1,700 m between the end of June and the end of September; at other times snow can lie on the higher path, so ask locally before you go.

Visit Andorra gives the start as the Cubil car park in Grandvalira's Grau Roig sector, in the parish of Encamp, and names the Llacs dels Pessons hut restaurant beside Estany Primer as the one facility on the way. It lists no public transport to the start.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.