The highest mountain in the Pyrenees, Pico d’Aneto (3404 meters above sea level) is one of those almost logical goals for someone who is enthusiastic about outdoor and mountaineering activities and loves visiting south-western Europe.

I was very lucky to have the opportunity to visit the Pyrenees for a second time in two years, so without further ado, let’s delve into it.

Maladeta, June 18

The usual starting point for summiting Aneto is the Refugio de la Renclusa on 2140 meters.

Mid June is still early for going into the Pyrenees, access restrictions are not in place yet (they were in place beginning at Saturday, June 20, so my timing was on point), so it was possible to park my car on the La Besurta parking lot (1900 meters). From there, it is an easy walk of thirty or so minutes to the Refugio.

It was already noon as I reached the refugio, for summiting Aneto obviously too late. However, a guy who worked in the refugio gave me the hint to visit Maladeta, for doing this there would be enough time left.

I was thinking about saving my energy for the next day, but on the other hand this would be a good opportunity to get a first impression of the area and the general conditions in higher altitudes, so I had no choice but to set off at once.

The snow, or the glacier started at 2600 meters. Finding a convenient and safe way across it was exhausting, I was zig-zagging and detouring a lot for there were barely any steps in the snow, let alone markings.

The Maladeta peak itself (3312 meters) I was not able to climb, but I did a little scrambling (futile path finding that is) at the rocks lying unclad at the mountain foot, wondering in which category I can put this mountain in.

In fact, I learned later thru internet sources it is a mountain for more advanced climbers, what was evidently true, for I found old rope and other abandoned mountaineers’ equipment in several places (the friendly guy at the refugio did not suggest all that).

Rain and wind thwarted further attempts of mine to explore Maladeta, the suspicious clouds in the sky gave me finally an excuse for retreating to the refugio.

Photo gallery

Aneto, June 19

It is fair to say that Aneto is not a mountain for beginners either, technically easier than Maladeta for sure but the tour is much longer. If you belong to the quicker sort, you can do it in nine hours (starting and end point Refugio de la Renclusa), but the usual time is something between ten to twelve hours (I needed ten and a half including breaks).

Any mountain bearing the distinction being the highest you have to expect a good deal of visitors though, when weather is stable even more so.

So as opposed to the day before, there were always a handful of people around, only a short section to Portillón Superior I was alone. Because my orientation skills are not great, this was also the section where I had most trouble with path finding, others seem to be a lot better with this task.

The mountain saddle Portillón Superior (2899 meters AMSL) is the first point you can actually see Aneto, towering majestically in the distance.

This is also the point from where crampons are almost an obligation, so do yourself a favor and wear it. If you have an ice axe, even better (furthermore, headgear and sunscreen is essential in these heights with snow reflecting the solar radiation).

I won’t bore you with text about the next two hours, it was just a tiring but otherwise not difficult walk across the glacier, and I suppose the pictures give a good enough impression of it.

The good news is that there’s plenty of water in liquid form, so you do not have to carry very much.

When you’re already almost at the peak, you have to negotiate a unique obstacle, the “Bridge of Mohammed”. I made a video with my helmet camera, so I won’t bother with an elaborate text (or photos for that matter) either, but I want to mention it is not a excessively long climb, five to ten minutes at most. You should not have fear of heights here.

Then it was done, standing on the highest peak of the Pyrenees, and it was marvelous.

So I hope you benefit in one way or another from this blog post for your own summit attempt, or just enjoy having a look at the photos I took.

Photo and video gallery

Featured image: Pico d’Aneto towering in the distance