estany de Fonguera

Estany de Fonguera is a small glacial lake located in the municipality of Espot, in the Pallars Sobirà region of Catalonia.

Where is estany de Fonguera located?

The lake sits at an altitude of 2,544 metres, within the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, in the Peguera Valley (Vall de Peguera). The basin stretches on an east-west axis, flanked by Pic de Fonguera (2,885 m) to the west and Pui de Linya (2,870 m) to the north. Its approximate coordinates are 42.5585°N, 1.0434°E.

How big is the lake?

Estany de Fonguera counts among the smaller high-mountain lakes in the area. Its surface covers roughly 1.35 hectares, the shoreline runs for about 737 metres, and the maximum length and width reach 282 and 120 metres respectively. The basin was carved by glacial activity, and the surrounding bedrock is granodiorite, a rock type common throughout this part of the Pyrenees.

Where does the water come from and where does it go?

The lake is fed by runoff descending from the higher Clotets del Pui. Its outflow follows the Barranc de Fonguera stream down to Estany de Lladres, after which the water continues through the Riu de Peguera, the Riu Escrita and the Noguera Pallaresa before joining the Segre, a tributary of the Ebro. This chain of connections places estany de Fonguera within a wider network of lakes and streams that drains the Peguera Valley.

How do you get there?

The surroundings of estany de Fonguera are high-mountain terrain, reachable on foot via trails running through the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. One documented route links Prat de Pierró to Espot, passing estany de Monestero, estany de la Llastra and estany de Lladres along the way; it covers around 22.7 km and takes roughly 7 hours in total, with a cumulative ascent of 1,370 m and a descent of 1,698 m. Given the altitude and terrain, a trip into this part of the mountains calls for solid physical preparation, proper footwear, and a check on weather conditions before setting out, especially outside the summer months.

What should you know before visiting?

Estany de Fonguera lies within a protected area, so national park rules apply: hikers must stick to marked trails, wildlife and vegetation are protected, and there is no tourist infrastructure right at the lake itself — no shelters or food stops nearby. This is a destination for travellers looking for genuine contact with the wild high-mountain landscape of the Pyrenees rather than an easily accessible attraction.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what altitude is estany de Fonguera located? The lake sits at 2,544 metres above sea level.

Is estany de Fonguera inside a national park? Yes, it lies within the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, in the Peguera Valley.

How large is the lake? It covers about 1.35 hectares, with a maximum length of 282 metres and a maximum width of 120 metres.

How can you reach the lake? Access is on foot via mountain trails through the national park; one route connects Prat de Pierró to Espot through nearby lakes and takes around 7 hours in total.