Lakes of La Pera
In La Cerdanya, the lakes of La Pera have been a crossing point for smugglers coming and going from Andorra for many years. These two lakes are located in the basin of the Molí river, in a small glacial circus located at the head of the Arànser valley.
Technical Data
Access: from Martinet we take the LV-4036 road towards Lles, but shortly before arriving in Lles we take the road that goes to Arànser. Then, we go on along a tarmac road that goes up to the Fornell area, at the reception of the Aransa Nordic ski resort. From here, to arrive to Prat Miró and Pollineres (track closed to motor vehicles traffic all year round) there is a shuttle-bus transport service from the end of July, August and September. This service is also available from the Lles Nordic ski resort at Cap del Rec. Ask for the timetables and prices at the tourist office.
In the summer, during times of maximum influx of visitors, there is usually a shuttle bus service. This service is also available from the Nordic ski resort of Lles per Cap del Rec. Ask for more information at the tourist office.
Home: Aransa Nordic Ski Resort.
Difficulty: easy – medium.
Maximum altitude: 2,140 m
Elevation gain: 500 m
Total duration: 4.30 am (2.30 am departure + 2 h return).
Time of year: Spring, summer and autumn. In winter with snowshoes.
Observations: at Aransa Nordic ski resort, there is a snowshoe trail until The Pollineres that it takes 1 hour. This walk and the next one to the La Pera lakes are highly recommended.
Route
From El Fornell to the Aransa Nordic ski resort (1,862 m) take path no. 1 (indicator) of Cerdanya trails (yellow rectangles), which runs through the forest passing through the Bassa de Comabella and Molí river to the refuge of Les Pollineres. This path continues up to the right and avoids a turn in the track. Then follow the track to the right for a few meters to Cap del Rec until it crosses a bridge over the Molí river. Then the path to follow, where the GR 11-10 also passes, deviates to the left, enters the forest and crosses the Molí river through a ford.
Above, it crosses the access track to the Lakes of La Pera refuge twice and runs along the bottom of the valley, alternating black pine forest with open areas, until it reaches the foot of a granite cliff where there’s a beautiful waterfall. From here, the slope increases until you find the track again just before the small lake of La Pera, on the left. “La truita” hill or Perafita peak, pyramidal in shape, stands out at the bottom.
The path avoids the track on the right, crosses some pastures and reaches the Lakes of La Pera refuge (2,357 m, 45 min), guarded in summer, during holiday periods and some weekends. The large lake of La Pera is reached by the track and by a flat path on the right that leads to it in a few minutes (2,350 m, 1 h). It is worth mentioning that the place name La Pera has nothing to do with a pear (fruit), but refers to a stone. Similar place names in Catalonia are Peramola, Peralada, Peratallada and Peramea, among others.
Map and altimetry
