Lac de Clòto de Baish

Lac de Clòto de Baish is a mountain lake in the municipality of Naut Aran, in the Val d'Aran region of Catalonia, Spain. Sitting at roughly 2140 metres above sea level, it covers a modest 1.1 hectares, making it one of the smaller yet especially scenic lakes in this part of the Pyrenees.

Where exactly is the lake located?

Lac de Clòto de Baish lies within the Cirque de Colomèrs (Circ de Colomèrs), a broad glacial basin dotted with mountain lakes, inside the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. The lake is fed by the outflow of the higher-lying Estany Long (Lac Long), whose stream drops down through a rocky ravine before reaching the Clòto de Baish basin.

How do you get there?

Most visitors start from the car park at Banhs de Tredos, at an altitude of 1765 metres. From there, the trail follows the Val d'Aiguamòg valley, and the climb up to the lake takes around 2 hours on foot. During summer, from 15 June to 15 September, a seasonal mountain taxi runs from the car park, shortening the approach by carrying hikers closer to the actual trailhead. Outside that window, reaching the area requires a private vehicle, and the entire route must be walked from the car park itself.

What will you see along the way?

Lac de Clòto de Baish is one of seven lakes that make up the popular hiking circuit known as the Ruta dels 7 Llacs (Route of the 7 Lakes) through the Circ de Colomèrs. The walk crosses typical high-Pyrenean granite terrain, passing a succession of pools in varying shades of turquoise and blue. The views around Clòto de Baish itself are considered among the most striking on the whole route, framed by steep slopes and rocky ridgelines, with the peaks surrounding the Aiguamòg valley visible in the background.

When is the best time to visit?

Given its altitude of over 2100 metres, the lake is fully accessible mainly in summer, from June to September, once snow clears from the trails and the seasonal taxi service makes reaching the trailhead easier. In spring and autumn the route can be harder going due to lingering snow and the absence of the shuttle service, while winter access demands the equipment and experience typical of high-mountain trekking.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to reach Lac de Clòto de Baish? From the Banhs de Tredos car park, at 1765 metres, the climb through the Val d'Aiguamòg valley takes about 2 hours.

Can you drive closer to the lake? Not all the way to the lake itself, but during summer (15 June to 15 September) a mountain taxi service runs from the Banhs de Tredos car park, cutting down the walking approach.

How does Lac de Clòto de Baish differ from nearby Estany Long? Estany Long sits higher up and feeds Clòto de Baish through its outflow, which drops down via a rocky ravine — both lakes belong to the same Circ de Colomèrs lake system.

Is the lake inside a national park? Yes, Lac de Clòto de Baish lies within the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, inside the Circ de Colomèrs basin.