Tour de Pic Nerrasol

It seemed like the rain and storms would never stop, but then suddenly the heat arrived!

A trip was planned to somewhere outside of the Couserans for a change and with an early start we headed for L'Hospitalet pres d'Andorra. As the name suggests very close to Andorra and about 90 mins from us. A beautifully hot day and all new scenery. We were glad for the early start as by the afternoon the heat was energy sapping.

Once we'd escaped the traffic noise from the road to Andorra we followed a hanging valley passing several dammed lakes which after the months of rain and despite the droughts of recent years seemed almost full. Orchids carpetted the hillsides.

We stopped for an early first lunch at Estanh de Pedorrés, where baby trout nibbled at our toes in the cool water. From here we turned southwest to make the col at Porteilla du Sisca (2440m).

Rocky bluffs below Pic de Nerrasol

Etang du Siscar overlooked by Pic d'Escobes 2746m

From the Porteilla a new view opened into the Siscar valley with Etang du Siscar below - our second lunch spot.

Pic de Regalecio dominates the Porteilla 

The Etang de Siscar has an old dam either partially completed or later demolished as it only stretches halfway.  A gentle descent through a reedy wetland eventually leads to another dammed lake before a steep descent to eventually complete the loop. 15km and about 1000m of ascent

The emblematic Pyrenean Lily