estany Llong de Cabanes

Estany Llong de Cabanes is a small glacial lake sitting at roughly 2,224 metres in the Vall de Cabanes, within the municipality of Alt Àneu, in the Lleida Pyrenees (Pallars Sobirà). The lake lies in the peripheral zone of the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, ringed by fir forest and granite walls that open onto sweeping views of the surrounding peaks.

Where exactly is the lake?

Estany Llong sits high up in the Cabanes valley, in an area administratively part of Alt Àneu. It's one of three main lakes in the valley — alongside Estany Negre de Cabanes and Estany de les Abadíes — and together they form a well-known loop hike through the national park's glacial lakes.

How do you get there?

The hike starts at Bosc del Gerdar, said to be one of the largest fir forests on the Iberian Peninsula and part of the Mata de València nature reserve. To reach the trailhead, drive the C-28 road from València d'Àneu toward the Port de la Bonaigua mountain pass; about 4 km before the pass, a turn-off on the left leads to the Refugi del Gerdar, where the climb toward the lakes begins.

What will you see along the way?

The trail climbs through dense fir forest before opening up between rock walls and granite ridgelines, linking three lakes in sequence: Estany Negre de Cabanes, Estany de les Abadíes, and finally Estany Llong. The last of the three sits at the highest point and, despite its modest size, rewards the climb with open views of the surrounding summits and the rugged granite scenery typical of this stretch of the Pyrenees.

Who is this hike suited for?

This is a high-mountain route, not a casual stroll — expect substantial elevation gain, rocky terrain, and exposure to the weather patterns typical of the high Pyrenees. Sturdy footwear, good route-finding, and a weather check before setting out are all worth planning for. Because the lake sits at around 2,224 metres, the trail is generally most accessible during the summer months, once snow has cleared from the higher stretches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Estany Llong de Cabanes inside the national park? The lake lies within the peripheral zone of the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park rather than its core area — a useful distinction when planning the hike.

Where does the trail to the lake start? At the Refugi del Gerdar, reached via the C-28 road from València d'Àneu toward the Bonaigua pass, turning left about 4 km before the pass itself.

Can you see more than one lake on this route? Yes — the loop connects three lakes: Estany Negre de Cabanes, Estany de les Abadíes, and Estany Llong, giving hikers a broader look at the Cabanes valley in a single outing.

Is the hike easy? No — it's a high-mountain trail with significant elevation gain and rocky, at times demanding terrain, best suited to hikers with mountain experience.