NATURE & MOUNTAINS

Chill-Outdoor is located in the Ribagorza province. By our standards, the Ribagorza is like one large natural paradise, but certain mountains and nature parks are maybe extra worth it.

The Posets-Maladeta Nature Park

can be found in the north of the Ribagorza and was officially recognised as a natural park in 1994. This means that the nature in this area is protected and that no construction is allowed.

On the Posets-Maladeta grounds there are more than 45 peaks of more than 3000m altitude. Three of the highest four peaks of the Pyrenees can be found in this beautiful nature park:

  1. Aneto (3404 metres)
  2. Posets (3375 meters)
  3. Monte Perdido (3,355 meters), in the nearby national park 'Ordesa y Monte Perdido'
  4. Maladeta (3308 metres)

The hiking opportunities in this area are endless. Many routes pass by one of the exceptional high-altitude mountain lakes (ibons) that this park houses.

You will also find quite a few guarded and unguarded mountain huts. You can spend the night in one of these huts during the multi-day hut tour. 

Europe's most southern glaciers

are located in Posets-Maladeta. With 50 hectares, the Aneto Glacier is the largest in the Pyrenees. At the end of the last ice age (about 18,000 years ago) the Aneto glacier was located throughout the Valle de Benasque with a length of 36 km. In 2011 only 662m remained...

During the small ice age (in the 15th - 19th century) the glacier grew for the last time. Since then, the glacier has lost 80% of its surface.

The Rio Ésera rises from this glacier. It also flows through Perarrua via the gorge of Ventamillo. If you stay in the high mountains or have an activity here, you'll pass through this narrow gorge, which is already an experience on itself.

The 'magical mountain' Turbón

is almost 2500 meters high and is the subject of many ancient legends and magical stories. In the past, the Turbón would be home to robbers and the place where witches held their meetings. Geologically speaking, it is less magical: it is a mountain of limestone and is not very susceptible to erosion.

The impressive Turbón is separated from the rest of the Pyrenees and is always clearly visible in the Ribagorza. You can walk up and down to the top in a day, where you have fantastic 360 degree views.

The hike is best done in spring or fall. As in summer it can get hot during the day and in winter you need winter equipment. 

Sierra de Guara

Just south of the Pyrenees lies the Sierra de Guara, a wetland and mountainous area best known for its rugged nature and unique rock formations.

There are well-known climbing areas and endless canyoning opportunities. Lately the Guara is also emerging more and more as a hiking and mountain biking area.

The Cotiella

has a height of 2912 meters and looks like a giant pyramid from the South. This mountain is also separated from the Pyrenees mountain range, making it look incredibly high.

You can climb the peak from different sides. The two hikes we recommend are from the Refugio de Armeña or from the Collado de Cullibert. Both routes ask for some physical fitness, but once arriving above the tree line, you will be rewarded with amazing views. On the peak it seems like standing on a natural watchtower!

The Mont Rebei Gorge

is a natural phenomenon and a beautiful walking area. It consists of natural walls of 500 meters and 1 kilometer long. The Mont Rebei gorge forms the border between Aragon and Catalonia. 

Since 2013 there is a hanging footbridge, which allows you to walk into the two-kilometer-long gorge from different starting points.

We especially recommend you to do one of the routes through this gorge in low season. In the summer months, on weekends or public holidays it's a popular place, also for national tourism.

Forrau de Aigualluts

is a fairytale landscape at the end of the Ésera valley. You can't get any further than the mountain hut 'la Besurta' by car. From here you can walk to the waterfall of Aigualluts in 1.5 hours. A nice excursion, which can be perfectly be done with kids.

The waterfall forms the beginning of the river Garonne that flows in France. The meltwater from the Aneto glacier flows through the waterfalls of Aigualluts into a hole 70 meters wide and 40 meters deep. The water swirls and disappears into an underground river.

In some seasons you cannot go any further by car than "llanos de hospital". In winter due to the amount of snow. In summer the road is closed for private transport, but you can access the Besurta hut with a shuttle bus.

Llanos the Hospital

used to be a hospital to help hikers cross the Pyrenees (and the border from/to France). It was not a typical hospital for the sick, but rather an inn where hikers were offered shelter and food and if necessary where healed from wounds. Today it is a hotel and a well-known place for cross-country skiing in winter. Besides that it's a popular starting point for many walks.

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