Located at an altitude of 2,590 meters, the Balcón de Pineta is one of the most impressive places in the entire Pyrenees. In the heart of one of Spain's oldest national parks, it is considered the best viewpoint of the Pyrenean three-thousanders; the Monte Perdido glacier; Lake Marboré or the Tucarroya cirque. At its feet stretches the gigantic Pineta Valley, the most beautiful glacial valley in the entire Pyrenees.
LAGO MARBORÉ
VALLE DE PINETA
BALCÓN DE PINETA
GLACIAL DE MONTE PERDIDO
VALLE DE PINETA
ASTAZU
We will head to the village of Bielsa, in the southern part of the Pyrenees, right on the border with France. This small mountain town is the meeting point for all those going to the Pineta Valley, one of the four main valleys that make up the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park.
Our excursion will begin next to the Parador Turístico, at the stupas of the great walls of the deep valley. The first part of the route crosses a dense forest, alongside the stream of the Cinca River. From the beginning, the demanding trail overcomes steep and rocky slopes, quickly gaining altitude. We will pass right next to the great Cinca waterfalls.
We will emerge above the forest onto alpine meadows covered with rich vegetation. It's a perfect place to observe wild species such as chamois, fallow deer, or marmots. From that moment on, we will be accompanied by a beautiful view of the entire Pineta Valley. This is the best reward for our effort and the motivation to keep going.
After climbing 1,200 meters in elevation, we will reach the Balcón de Pineta and then the Marboré Plateau. Before our eyes will appear one of the most beautiful views in the entire Pyrenees: the north face of Monte Perdido with its impressive glacier, next to the Cilindro peak. From time to time, we will hear the cracking of seracs separating from the glacier as it slowly melts.