Estany Gelat de Comaloforno

Estany Gelat de Comaloforno is a high-mountain glacial lake in the municipality of la Vall de Boí, sitting inside the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park in the Alta Ribagorça comarca. The lake rests at roughly 2,683 metres above sea level, in the upper Caldes valley, northeast of Pic de Comaloforno and east of the Besiberri Sud massif. The Catalan word "gelat" means "frozen," a fitting name — for most of the year the lake stays locked under ice and snow, revealing its striking turquoise water only during a short summer window.

How do you get there?

Most routes start from the car park at the Cavallers Dam (Pantà de Cavallers, about 1,723 m), reached by road from Caldes de Boí. From there the trail climbs steeply through the Pas de l'Ós pass toward Coma les Torres before continuing on to Estany Gelat de Comaloforno. The hike demands solid fitness — the elevation gain approaches a thousand metres, and the final stretches are steep and exposed in places. This is not a walk for beginners, but experienced hikers cover it comfortably in a single day.

What will you see?

The lake sits in a stark, high-alpine setting, ringed by the rocky ridgelines of the Pyrenees. It's a classic glacial tarn — small, deep, and fed by melting snow and ice from the surrounding slopes. Nearby lie other lakes from the same group, including the Estanys de Gémena, which makes it easy to plan a longer circular route linking several bodies of water. For more ambitious hikers, Estany Gelat de Comaloforno also serves as a springboard for climbing Pic de Comaloforno or Besiberri Sud, both summits visible practically within arm's reach from the shore. Bring a camera: the contrast between the dark-blue water, patches of white snow, and grey rock makes for one of the more distinctive views in the entire park.

When should you visit?

The best window is summer, from July to September, when most of the snow has melted and the trails are passable without winter gear. Outside that period, the lake and surrounding passes can still be snowbound, which sharply raises both difficulty and risk. Start early in the day — weather in the high Pyrenees can turn abruptly by afternoon, and thunderstorms are common around peaks above 2,500 m during summer.

Frequently asked questions

Is the hike to the lake difficult? Yes. It's rated difficult due to its length, substantial elevation gain, and steep, partly exposed sections, especially around the Pas de l'Ós. Good physical condition and mountain hiking experience are required.

Can you swim in the lake? The water in this glacial lake, sitting at nearly 2,700 m, stays very cold year-round, and swimming isn't practiced or recommended — it's primarily a scenic and route destination for hikers and climbers.

How long does it take to reach the lake? From the Pantà de Cavallers car park, the one-way climb typically takes a few hours depending on fitness and the chosen route variant; a full-day round trip is the standard plan.

Do you need a permit to enter the national park? Hiking on the trails of the Aigüestortes National Park is generally open to the public, though it's worth checking current rules on any seasonal entry limits for popular routes during summer.