estany d’Aigüissi

Estany d'Aigüissi is a small glacial lake in the municipality of La Vall de Boí, in the Spanish Pyrenees.

Where is estany d'Aigüissi located?

The lake sits in the Vall de Sarradé, within the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, in the Alta Ribagorça region of Catalonia. It lies at roughly 42.565 N, 0.883 E, above 2,100 metres of elevation — well into the high-mountain zone, above the treeline.

How big is the lake?

Estany d'Aigüissi is a compact body of water: its surface covers about 4.2 hectares, and its maximum depth reaches around 24 metres. That scale is typical of the many glacial tarns scattered across this stretch of the Pyrenees, carved out of rock basins left behind as the region's glaciers retreated thousands of years ago. The lake is fed mainly by snowmelt and local rainfall, so its water level and appearance shift noticeably with the seasons.

What is the Aigüestortes National Park?

Estany d'Aigüissi lies within the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park — Catalonia's only national park and one of the few in Spain that protects a genuinely high-mountain Pyrenean landscape. It is defined by granite terrain, steep ridgelines approaching 3,000 metres, and a striking density of glacial lakes and tarns scattered through its valleys and cirques. The park's name itself — roughly "twisted waters" in Catalan — refers to the meandering streams that wind between these rocky basins.

How do you get to estany d'Aigüissi?

The lake is reached on foot, via trails starting from the Vall de Boí, the main gateway for hikes into this part of the park. Motor traffic deep inside the park is restricted to protect the environment, so movement is mostly by hiking or via the local shuttle services that operate at the park's access points. Because the terrain sits well above 2,000 metres and Pyrenean weather can change quickly, it's worth planning any visit with margin for both altitude and conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is estany d'Aigüissi a natural lake? Yes — it is a glacial lake, formed by the action of ice, not an artificial reservoir.

How high up is the lake? It sits above 2,100 metres of elevation, in the high-mountain section of the Pyrenees.

Are there other lakes nearby? Yes. The Vall de Boí and the wider Aigüestortes National Park are known for their large number of glacial lakes and tarns spread across the surrounding cirques.

Can you drive to the lake? No. Motor vehicle access deep inside the park is restricted; the lake is reached on foot or via local shuttle services operating at the park's entry points.