estany Negre de Dalt

Estany Negre de Dalt is a glacial mountain lake in the municipality of Alt Àneu, in the Pallars Sobirà region of the Catalan Pyrenees.

Where exactly is it?

Sitting at an altitude of 2,440 metres, the lake occupies the head of the Gerber valley, within the peripheral (buffer) zone of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. It's a compact body of water, covering under a hectare (around 0.93 ha), tucked into a rocky basin carved out by glacial action. Right nearby, lower down the same valley, sits Estany Negre de Baix — a separate lake whose near-identical name makes it easy to confuse with the one described here, even though the two are entirely distinct bodies of water.

How do you get there?

Access typically starts from the Alt Àneu area, following trails that climb toward the Coll de l'Estany Gelat pass. Close to this pass stands the Mataró mountain refuge (Refugi Mataró), a well-known stopover and orientation point for hikers heading further into the high peaks. The approach is a genuine mountain hike across open, rocky terrain with no shelter from the weather, so sturdy trekking boots, layered clothing and a reasonable level of fitness are essential.

What will you find there?

Estany Negre de Dalt is a classic Pyrenean "estany" — a small glacial tarn ringed by bare rock and high-altitude scree typical of the upper Pyrenees. Sitting within the national park's buffer zone, the surroundings remain largely untouched, with no tourist infrastructure beyond the trail itself and the nearby refuge. It suits hikers looking for solitude, wide-open landscape photography, and a chance to spot high-mountain flora and fauna, rather than travellers after easy, ready-made attractions.

When's the best time to visit?

Given its altitude above 2,400 metres, the lake is realistically accessible only in summer, from around June/July through September/October, once the trails have cleared of snow. Spring and autumn weather in this part of the Pyrenees can turn abruptly within hours, and winter access requires proper mountaineering equipment and experience. Morning is generally the best time to visit, when the lake surface tends to be calmest and the light works best for photography.

Frequently asked questions

Is Estany Negre de Dalt the same lake as Estany Negre de Baix? No. They are two separate lakes in the same area — "de Dalt" means "upper" and "de Baix" means "lower." Despite the proximity and similar names, they're distinct bodies of water, each with its own character.

Is the lake inside the national park itself? It lies within the peripheral zone of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, not the core protected area.

Is there anywhere to stay nearby? Yes — the Mataró refuge (Refugi Mataró) sits close to the Coll de l'Estany Gelat pass and serves as a common base for hikers exploring the surrounding peaks.

How long does the hike to the lake take? It's a high-mountain route that usually requires several hours of ascent from the lower valley, with the exact time depending on your starting point and fitness level.