estany de Xemeneia

Estany de Xemeneia is a small glacial lake in the municipality of Alt Àneu, in the Pallars Sobirà county (Lleida province, Catalonia). It sits in a high-mountain section of the Pyrenees, at an altitude typical of the many "estanys" (mountain lakes) scattered across this region.

Where is estany de Xemeneia located?

The lake lies at coordinates 42.614°N, 1.017°E, near the locality of Pales de Nollerme and the Vall de Cabanes valley. This part of the Alt Àneu municipality is among the most mountainous and sparsely populated areas of Pallars Sobirà — a county known for its dense network of glacial lakes tucked into high-altitude cirques shaped by past glacial erosion.

What kind of lake is it?

Estany de Xemeneia is described as a small body of water — one of several minor lakes forming the hydrological system of the Cabanes valley. Its outflow drains toward estany Negre de Cabanes, a considerably larger glacial lake in the same valley. This pattern, where smaller lakes feed larger ones lower down the slope, is typical of Pyrenean glacial cirques, where snowmelt and rainfall cascade between successive rock basins.

Is it a well-known hiking destination?

Unlike the Pyrenees' better-known lakes, estany de Xemeneia is not widely covered in tourist guides — available information is limited to its geographic position and its connection to the nearby estany Negre de Cabanes. Anyone planning a trip to this area should focus on the broader character of the Vall de Cabanes valley: rugged, high-mountain scenery typical of the less-frequented corners of Pallars Sobirà, in contrast to the more popular and better-marked trails of the neighboring Aigüestortes area.

What should visitors know before heading there?

Given the high-mountain setting and the limited amount of publicly available detail on this specific lake, it is best approached as one point of interest within a wider exploration of the Cabanes valley rather than as a standalone, well-documented destination. Anyone interested in visiting should carry up-to-date topographic maps of the Pallars Sobirà region and plan the route with high-mountain conditions in mind, since weather in the Pyrenees can shift quickly regardless of season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is estany de Xemeneia located? In the municipality of Alt Àneu, Pallars Sobirà county (Lleida province), near Pales de Nollerme and the Vall de Cabanes valley.

Is estany de Xemeneia a large lake? No — sources describe it as a small lake, one of several minor bodies of water in the Cabanes valley.

Which other lake is it connected to? Its waters drain toward estany Negre de Cabanes, a larger glacial lake in the same valley.

Is it a popular tourist spot? It is not a widely known destination — available information about the lake itself is limited compared to the region's more recognizable lakes in Pallars Sobirà.