Route details:

Legend has it that at the entrance to the Aguas Tuertas valley lives an Elf who protects the source of the Aragón Subordán river and watches over access to the entire area. The small magical being takes refuge in a stone house located right next to the Aguas Tuertas Refuge, known as the Dolmen de Achar.

The Aragón Subordán River Valley houses the highest concentration of megalithic monuments in the entire Pyrenees. Numerous dolmens, menhirs, cromlechs, cists, and tumuli reflect the long and extraordinary history of this place.

Wide valleys covered with alpine meadows, red meanders of the Aragón Subordán river, and high limestone walls make this place one of the most beautiful and unique corners of the Pyrenees.

Photos

Itinerary

Among meanders and dolmens. Excursion to Ibón de Estanés and the Aguas Tuertas Valley in the Natural Park of the Western Valleys

The route begins at the Guarrinza parking lot (1,360m), located at the end of the Aragón Subordán Valley in the Natural Park of the Western Valleys. The Guarrinza Meadow is an exceptional place, known for its high concentration of megalithic monuments from various time periods. We will cross the Barcal Ravine and follow a path that gently ascends along a forest track. We'll be accompanied by an impressive view of the entire Aragón Subordán River valley, with small herds of cows grazing on its slopes. We'll pass right by Salto d'Achar, a large waterfall that descends from the plains of Aguas Tuertas. From this point on, we'll follow the legendary GR 11 trail marked by white and red blazes.

A steep mountain path will lead us to the head of the Aguas Tuertas Valley, with a small shepherd's refuge (1,620m). We'll leave behind the Guarrinza Valley with Acher Castle in the background and enter the green meadows crossed by the red meanders of the Aragón Subordán River. Before our eyes, a spectacular view of the entire Aguas Tuertas landscape will appear.

We'll visit one of the most emblematic megalithic monuments in the area, the Dolmen of Achar de Aguas Tuertas, from the 3rd millennium BC (late Neolithic). We'll learn about the curious legends and stories of this exceptional place. After a short break, we'll continue towards the bottom of the valley, enjoying the beautiful views. Surrounded by numerous herds of horses, we'll reach the point where the walls close the valley. We'll visit the Dolmen of Escalé and then climb to Puerto d'Escalé (1,663m), an important mountain pass between the French and Spanish valleys. Following a narrow alpine path, we'll reach a col at 1,915m, from here a short descent awaits us to Ibón d'Estanés (1,777m). We'll rest on the shore of the lake, surrounded by rocks and high-altitude meadows.

We'll return by the same route, with an impressive view of the entire Aguas Tuertas Valley.