Estany del Pessó d'Avall

Estany del Pessó d'Avall is a glacial lake in the municipality of la Vall de Boí, in the Alta Ribagorça county, sitting at 2,432 metres above sea level in the Coma del Pessó, within the peripheral zone of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.

Where it lies and what it looks like

The lake is modest in size — 177 metres long and 94 metres wide, covering roughly 1.28 hectares. Its basin and the surrounding rock are made of granodiorite, a stone typical of this stretch of the Pyrenees. The lake sits in the upper part of the valley, surrounded by the rocky terraces and alpine meadows characteristic of the high Pyrenean landscape.

Where its water comes from and where it goes

Estany del Pessó d'Avall is fed by Estany del Pessó d'Amont, a higher lake lying to the east. Its outflow runs toward the Barranc del Pessó, a stream that joins the right bank of the Riu de Sant Martí. Together, the upper lake (d'Amont) and the lower lake (d'Avall) form the system commonly referred to as the Estanys del Pessó, a popular hiking destination in this part of the valley.

Where the name comes from

The word "pessó" in the local Catalan dialect refers to a cone-shaped stack of mown hay — the same term is used for mountain peaks with a similar conical profile. The lake's name comes from the shape of the surrounding peaks rather than from any feature of the water itself.

How to get there

The popular route to the Pessó lakes takes around 3 hours one way and is rated moderate in difficulty. The hike involves roughly 800 metres of elevation gain, climbing from about 1,700 metres up to 2,500 metres, bringing walkers right to the shores of both lakes. Given the altitude and terrain, an early start and a check of the weather forecast are worthwhile — conditions in the high Pyrenees can shift quickly even in midsummer.

What to know before setting out

The route crosses the peripheral zone of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, which means visitors need to respect the protected-area rules in force there, including restrictions on wild camping outside designated spots and on open fires. At an altitude above 2,400 metres, proper hiking boots and layered clothing are a necessity rather than an option.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high up is Estany del Pessó d'Avall? The lake sits at 2,432 metres above sea level, in the Coma del Pessó.

Is the lake inside the national park? Estany del Pessó d'Avall lies within the peripheral zone of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, not its core protected area.

How long does it take to reach the lake? The popular hiking route to the Estanys del Pessó takes about 3 hours one way, with an elevation gain of around 800 metres.

What's the difference between Pessó d'Avall and Pessó d'Amont? They are two connected lakes in the same system — d'Amont (the upper lake) sits higher up and feeds water into d'Avall (the lower lake), which in turn drains toward the Barranc del Pessó.