Estany del Pessó d'Amont

Estany del Pessó d'Amont is a high-mountain glacial lake in the municipality of la Vall de Boí, tucked away in the side valley of Coma del Pessó in the Catalan Pyrenees. Sitting at close to 2,500 metres above sea level within the peripheral zone of the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, it counts among the highest — and deepest — bodies of water in the area.

Where exactly is this lake?

Estany del Pessó d'Amont lies in the comarca of Alta Ribagorça, part of the Vall de Boí valley famous for its UNESCO-listed Romanesque churches. It is the upper lake ("d'Amont") of a pair known as the Estanys del Pessó — the other, lower one, is Estany del Pessó d'Avall. Water flows down from the upper lake into the lower one, forming a distinctive tiered pair of alpine tarns within a single glacial cirque. Because of its size it is sometimes also referred to as Estany Gran del Pessó.

How do you get there?

The approach is on foot from the Sant Martí valley side of la Vall de Boí. It's a demanding high-mountain Pyrenean hike, climbing steadily up the valley until it reaches a rocky threshold opening onto the cirque where both lakes sit. Reaching the upper lake alone takes roughly three hours one way, and the full round trip typically runs to around six hours of walking. Start early, wear proper trekking footwear, and carry your own water and food — there are no supply points along the route.

What will you see there?

Estany del Pessó d'Amont reaches a depth of 32 metres, making it one of the deeper lakes in this part of the Pyrenees. It sits ringed by a crown of unmistakably alpine peaks — the panorama takes in Tuc dels Carants, Pic Roi, and Pic Gran and Pic Petit del Pessó. The setting is a classic glacial cirque: bare granite walls, sweeping valley views below, and a deep blue-black sheet of water set against pale rock. The name "pessó" comes from a word for a conical haystack, describing the cone-like shape of the surrounding summits.

When is the best time to visit?

Given its altitude above 2,400 metres, the lake is only reliably accessible from late spring through early autumn — the best window runs roughly from June to September, once most of the snow has cleared and the trail is passable. Outside that window, snow can still linger on the final stretch of the approach, so it's worth checking current trail conditions before setting out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need serious mountaineering experience to reach the lake? The hike is long and climbs into high terrain, but it doesn't require climbing gear. Reasonable fitness, solid footwear, and planning for a full day out are enough.

What's the difference between Estany del Pessó d'Amont and Estany del Pessó d'Avall? They are two lakes in the same valley arranged one above the other — d'Amont sits higher up and feeds water down into the lower d'Avall.

Can you camp near the lake? The lake lies within the peripheral zone of a national park, so it's worth checking the current seasonal rules on camping in the area before planning an overnight stay.

Where does the name "Pessó" come from? It refers to the conical shape of the surrounding peaks, likened to a haystack — the same root gives the neighbouring summits Pic Gran and Pic Petit del Pessó their names.