Estany de Lanoset

Estany de Lanoset is a small high-altitude tarn in the French Pyrénées-Orientales, within the commune of Angoustrine-Villeneuve-des-Escaldes, in the Cerdagne (Cerdanya) region of Northern Catalonia. Also known locally as Lanouzet, it sits in the Carol valley at an elevation of roughly 2,234 metres.

How big is the lake, and where exactly is it?

Covering an area of around 2 hectares, Estany de Lanoset is a modest, quiet body of water - far smaller than the nearby Lac de Lanoux (Estany de Lanós), the largest lake in the entire Pyrenees. The name "Lanoset" is a Catalan diminutive of "Lanós" (the "-et" suffix meaning "smaller"), which can cause confusion: the two are separate lakes in the same area, not two names for one and the same lake.

The tarn lies in the French commune of Angoustrine-Villeneuve-des-Escaldes, at the northern edge of Cerdagne, close to the Carlit massif, an area known for its cluster of glacial lakes.

Is there a hiking trail to it?

Yes. Estany de Lanoset sits along the GR10, the long-distance trail that crosses the French Pyrenees from coast to coast. The route passes the tarn before climbing to the Portella de la Grava pass (2,426 m) and then descending toward Lac des Bouillouses, one of the most visited destinations in the region. As a result, Lanoset often serves as a waypoint or a short rest stop for hikers covering this stretch of the GR10.

What should visitors know before heading up?

This is high-mountain terrain, realistically accessible only during the summer months; in spring and autumn the trails in this part of Cerdagne can still hold snow, and the passes call for extra caution. Angoustrine or the area around the Lanoux dam are the usual starting points, and the hike should be treated as a genuine mountain outing that requires fitness and proper footwear.

Frequently asked questions

Is Estany de Lanoset the same lake as the famous Lac de Lanoux? No. Lac de Lanoux (Estany de Lanós) is a separate, much larger lake, known among other things for a historic France-Spain dispute over shared border waters. Lanoset is a smaller, distinct tarn nearby - the similar name reflects a relationship, not identity.

Where exactly is the lake located? In the commune of Angoustrine-Villeneuve-des-Escaldes, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, at about 2,234 metres of elevation, in the Carol valley.

Can you reach the lake on a day hike? Yes, for reasonably fit hikers - it lies directly on the GR10 and can be worked into a day trip from around Angoustrine, though it demands good fitness and attention to high-mountain conditions.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The Carlit massif with its many glacial lakes, and Lac des Bouillouses, reached via the next stretch of the GR10 beyond the Portella de la Grava pass.