Immerse yourself in the Aigüestortes National Park and climb the Tuc de Ratera to almost 3,000m for superb panoramic views of the Encantats and the Cirque de Colomers. From the Estany de Sant Maurici, the route leads deep into the massif, winding its way between the many high-altitude lakes, frozen and snow-covered at this time of year. The landscape changes several times as you go along, ending at the summit with an exceptional view of the high mountains. The descent is via the Obagues de la Ratera valley to return to the approach path, just above Sant Maurici. A wonderful outing to discover!
Technical summary
Type ✦ Ski touring
Location ✦ Espot
Region ✦ Aigüestortes National Park, Catalunya
Country ✦ Spain
Direction ✦ East
Max altitude ✦ 2861m
Ascent length ✦ 9km
Dénivelé ✦ 1015m
Difficulty ✦ R-3.1-E1
Max gradient ✦ 37°/38° below summit
Duration ✦ 4h to 5h
Interest ✦ ★★★
Access to the place
On the C13, north of Sort and just before reaching La Guingeta d'Aneu, turn west and climb up to the village of Espot. Park at the entrance to Espot. Take a 4×4 cab to enter the Aigüestortes park and reach the Sant Maurici lake, the starting point of the hike. 10kms which can also be done on foot, but the road is closed to vehicles in winter. 10.50 per person with a minimum of 4 people, current rates. Preferably booked the day before, departure at 8:30 or 9 a.m. and last return at 4 p.m.
Itinerary description
Hiking to the start 2370m, 1h à 1h15
To reach the Refuge d'Amitges. From Lac de Sant Maurici, climb the snow-covered track and soon you'll be skirting the Estany de Ratera. As you leave the lake, there's a fork in the road: to the left is the Obagues valley (possible route up to the refuge or Port de Ratera) and to the right is the path to the Amitges refuge, the option we've taken.
Cross the Ratera stream at this point. You arrive at the bottom of a small, enclosed valley. Climb up to the track, which winds its way up to the beautiful Amitges refuge, built at the foot of the Estany Gran Amitges and beneath the impressive orange-colored Amitges needle. End of the approach and coffee break in the sun!
Course 2h30 à 3h
The ascent can be made either via the Amitges refuge, or more directly via the Ratera valley. The descent can only be made via the Ratera valley.
Part 1: Port de Ratera (2542m, 1h)
From the refuge, continue north-west to find another small lake just above, the Estany del Barbs, which we'll skirt to the right. At the end, it's closed, so you have to climb steeply up a narrow valley to reach a shoulder where the panorama opens up completely and you can see the Tuc de Ratera in the background for the first time.
Then begins a long traverse on the flank under the bars of the Serra de Saboredo. Further on, you pass over the Estany del Port de Ratera. Climb the ridges to reach the Port de Ratera. 1st views on the north side.
Section 2: Tuc de Ratera (2861m, 1h)
Walk along the ridge, passing over or beside the small frozen lakes that lie there, towards the Tuc de Ratera. We pass just below the Col de Ratera de Colomers pass to tackle the first slopes. An initial, not too steep section leads to a sort of upper plateau below the summit. Cross it in a south-westerly direction to reach the final section.
Once on the South ridge, with views of the Cirque de Colomers to the West, climb the last 100 steep meters to finish on the small summit of Tuc de Ratera. Spectacular panorama!
Ski descent (30′ to 45′)
From the summit of Tuc de Ratera, ski the steep East face at the top (37./38°) then around 35° below. Return to the plateau, then slide north under the Port de Ratera de Colomers. From here, descend directly into the long Vall de Ratera valley, passing the Estany del Port de Ratera on the right, then continue, staying as high as possible on the right.
Further down, we skirt the Estany de les Obagues de Ratera. Then, pushing on the poles in places, we find a summer path that returns to the approach fork, above the Estany de Ratera. Glide along the approach trail as long as snow permits.
Back
Depending on snow conditions, either slide to the cab rank at Lac de Sant Maurici, or carry and walk (for us about 30′). The cab transfer back to Espot remains.
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