One of the most iconic peaks in the Pyrenees

Els Encantats are among the most famous mountains in the Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. With their twin peaks, they create a distinctive silhouette that has become one of the symbols of the Catalan Pyrenees.

However, according to local tradition, these two peaks were not always mountains.

The Legend of Els Encantats

The Legend

Many years ago, in the village of Espot, there lived two hunters renowned for their skill and passion for hunting. One Sunday morning, while the rest of the villagers were attending Mass, they decided to head into the mountains to make the most of the day and hunt a chamois. Despite being warned by the villagers about the importance of respecting the holy day, the two men ignored their advice and continued on their way.

After hours of chasing their prey across the steep mountain slopes, the sky began to darken. Black clouds quickly gathered over the peaks, and a powerful storm swept through the valley. The wind howled, thunder echoed among the rocks, and lightning lit up the landscape.

Just as the hunters were about to continue their pursuit, a bolt of lightning struck them. Instantly, they were turned to stone, becoming the two towering rock spires that stand side by side today. Since then, these mountains have been known as Els Encantats.

Between History and Tradition

Like many legends of the Pyrenees, there is no evidence that these events actually took place. The story has been passed down through generations and forms part of the cultural heritage of the Valls d’Àneu and the Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.

Over the centuries, the legend has become inseparable from Els Encantats and continues to fascinate visitors, hikers, and nature lovers.

Where are Els Encantats?

Els Encantats are located beside Estany de Sant Maurici, in the heart of the Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.

The best place to admire them is from the shores of the lake, where their distinctive twin-peaked silhouette can be fully appreciated.

Interesting Facts

• Gran Encantat reaches an altitude of 2,748 metres (9,016 ft).
• Petit Encantat stands at 2,734 metres (8,970 ft).
• They are among the most photographed mountains in the Catalan Pyrenees.
• Their silhouette has become one of the symbols of the Aigüestortes National Park.

Visit Els Encantats from Rural Berrós

The Rural Berrós apartments are an excellent base for exploring the Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. Whether you are planning a hike to the lake or simply want to admire the breathtaking views of Els Encantats, this is a must-visit destination during your stay in the Pallars Sobirà region.

L'entrada The Legend of Els Encantats ha aparegut primer a Apartments Rural Berrós.

Sant Maurici Lake is the most famous lake in the Pyrenees to be within the Aigüestortes National Park, the only one in Catalonia.

We start walking from the village of Espot. First, at the exit of the village, we find the hydroelectric plant of Sant Maurici, which receives water from a pressure pipe from 500m of altitude above, of the Peguera valley. We continue along the road that goes to Sant Maurici until it reaches approximately 1.5 km, where the route divert to the right.

A little further up, on the left, we find prat de Pierró car park, which can be accessed by private vehicle in the summer season. This parking is filled very fast in summer, so I recommend going there early. From this point, we will begin to find more hikers along the way.

Finally, at approximately 7 km of route, is the hermitage of Sant Maurici, which is the one that gives name to the main lake, which is 400m in a straight line. Then, after 20 minutes, we reach the lake, from which we enjoy privileged views, from right to left: Pic del Portarró, Agulla de Portarró and Els Encantats.

Facts

* Els Encantats: Legend says that these right needles are two hunters who had fled mass for St. Mauritius (September 22) to see who was the first to beat a chamois. They were cursed and were petrified forever.
* The Lake of Sant Maurici has an area of 0.215 km2, equivalent to 21.5 hectares. It is about 1,100 meters long by about 200 wide, with a water volume of about 2.6 Hm³.Receives the waters of the rivers and torrents of Ratera, Portarró and Subenuix; while its emissary, the River Escrita, drains the Valley of Espot to the Noguera Pallaresa.
*Sant Maurici Lake is the best known, important and route of the valley.

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How to get to the Gerber waterfall?

• • In the first option, we can arrive from the first curve to the right of the climb to the Bonaigua pass. There, we will find a parking lot where we can reach the waterfall in 10 minutes heading south. The entire path is well marked and at the end you will find some stairs and a viewpoint to see the jump.
  • As a second option, you can take the longer route of 2 hours and 30 minutes (round trip) from the Gerdar refuge. In this case, you will have to walk north along a marked and easy path.

The following map refers to the second option

Before taking the route to the Gerber waterfall

• Look at the weather forecast
• Prepare yourself with good footwear and clothing appropriate for the time of year
• Prepare your backpack with food
• Bring or download a map of the area

Are you looking apartments near Gerber waterfall?

Our accommodations are located in Berrós Jussà, within the Valls d’Àneu. The apartments have capacity for 6 people from €140/night fully equipped.

During the summer, you can enjoy the Aigüestortes National Park and Sant Maurici Lake, where you can take more than 50 routes from Espot (we have some of them in the What to do-nature section). In addition, you can walk through the Alt Pirineu natural park and discover lakes and peaks for all ages.

During the winter, you can go skiing or snowshoeing at the Espot Esquí ski resort or at Baqueira Beret, the largest ski resort in all of Catalonia, therefore it is an ideal place for winter.

L'entrada Gerber waterfall ha aparegut primer a Apartments Rural Berrós.

The Estany de Sant Maurici with the Encantats Peak in the background is undoubtedly the most emblematic image of the National Park and one of the best-known postcards of the Catalan Pyrenees. In summer, the aggressiveness of the rock of the Encantats contrasts with the tranquility of the lake’s waters. In winter, on the other hand, the white of the snow unifies the entire landscape. Any time of the year is special to enjoy this photogenic landscape.

The park has more than 40,000 hectares, divided into 4 counties and 4 valleys. Thus, to the east we find Valls d’Àneu (Espot, Pallars Sobirà), to the south theVall Fosca (Pallars Jussà), to the west the Boi valley (Alta Ribagorça) and to the north the Val d’Aran.

Most of the territory exceeds 1,000 meters with peaks of up to 3,000 meters, where the valleys and lakes were formed during the Quaternary Glaciation.

La mata de Valencia, the largest expanse of black pine.

The Valencia forest located on the slopes of the Àneu valleys is the largest expanse of black pine in all of Europe.

Fauna of the park

In the National Park you can enjoy about 200 species of animals. Among the most important birds are the woodpecker, the eagle or the grouse. The chamois, the fallow deer, the marmot and the roe deer are some of the mammals that we can find

Major lakes and peaks near the apartments:

Peaks: Els encantats, Peguera, Ratera or Tuc de Colomers

Activities in the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park

In the park you can go hiking, mountain biking, mountaineering and mountain skiing, both privately and through activity organizing companies, with whom we can make recommendations.

On our website, in the activities section, you can see various routes of different levels to do within the national park. For example, the route to the ratera waterfall or the route from Espot

Here you can find more information about the park

L'entrada Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park ha aparegut primer a Apartments Rural Berrós.

3 sections

Esperó de les Bruixes (1st section): Full adventure family trail!

Torre Roia (2nd section): More difficult section with a drop of difficulty K5

The Conrad Bridge (3rd section): Tibetan bridge of 50 meters with wonderful views of the village of Alins.

Duration:

The family ferrata lasts 2 hours and the whole is 4 hours, always including the return.

From Rural Berrós we recommend you do the via ferrata in Alins with professional guides who will offer you the necessary material to carry out the activity. If you want to do the activity on your own, you can also rent the equipment in Sort or Llavorsí

The activity is conditioned by the weather

In this video you can see what the via ferrata is like.

You can find more information in www.ferradaalins.cat

Experiencies (Google Maps)

Antonio: “Spectacular Via Ferrata, very interesting”

Elec Con K: “Long and somewhat demanding via ferrata, with its history of falles d’Alins. Slate with great grip on the rock (the grips are very well placed, but the grip on the rock is great)

It’s the safest via ferrata I’ve found, several escapes and especially the return, delimited path and no danger of falling off. The drop is a little demanding, but the staples and the change are very well placed.”

Anabel: “Very well set up and signposted route. We enjoyed it a lot!”

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Discover the charm of the villages in Pallars Sobirà!

Esterri d’Àneu

Esterri d’Àneu is located on the same level as Esterri. The Romanesque bridge (photo) is the principal attraction of Esterri.

It is the cultural center of the valley, where it hosts the Ecomuseum of the Valls d’Àneu, representations of Esperanceta, a woman from Pallars who humorously expresses everything she thinks, and Esbaiola’t, an arts festival scenic. In addition, the cattle fair of Santa Teresa is held there in October.

The Esterri plateau was part of the Noguera Pallaresa glacier 40,000 years ago.

Àreu

Àreu is the last town in Vall Ferrera and is the gateway to Pica d’Estats and Monteixo, where every year the Vertical Mile is celebrated starting from Àreu.

The town is separated into two, the Villa and the Força, each with its own church. The Força d’Àreu is to the north, higher up the town and walled to protect it from attacks. Instead, the town is flat and unwalled.

Escaló

Escaló is a walled town in only 5 minutes from our apartments.. Thus, the houses were built inside the wall. In addition, there is also a watchtower.

20 minutes from the town, you will find the Monastery of Sant Pere del Burgal, a preserved Romanesque gem.

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Tavascan

Located in the Cardós valley, Tavascan has two Romanesque bridges. The Old (image) joins the two neighborhoods of the town above the river Lladorre.

Tavascan is also the starting point for the lakes of Mariola, Estanys Blaus, Blanc and Certescan. Just like the pass the port of Boet.

Airoto

Located 1-2 minutes before Tavascan, Aineto still preserves Romanesque paintings in its church of Sant Romà d’Aineto.

In addition, it has a viewpoint towards the Tavascan swamp and is recognized as a flower town

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