The 20 Most Amazing Peaks in Alt Pirineu

The highest peak in the Catalan Pyrenees is well worth the visit, although you have to earn it as it is a long route with considerable elevation gain to overcome.

Fantastic panoramic view all around, this summit is worth it, see my two panorama photos. Ascent from Estany de Sotllo via Pass. Took the partly exposed scrambling/climbing ridge via Pic Verdaguer. Nice scrambling, you just have to be careful to stay on the right track. Descent all around the summit, then to the same pass and down along the same beautiful mountain lakes and via Valferrera hut into the valley. The length and roughness of this path really surprised me. Luckily I didn't ascend from the hut. Especially the path along the mountainside, some way above the hut, was challenging. Again and again there are small counter-ascents over rocky tops and at some point I was on a side path below the main path, which then ended in bushes. After a short climb, everything went well again.

The Cabús Pass is a mountain pass that crosses the Pyrenees at 2,302 m above sea level. It is located on the border between Andorra and Spain, between the parish of La Massana and the municipality of Alins. Only the Andorran side is paved. From Alins, in the High Pyrenees, the climb is impressive and involves paths and trails that are not always in good condition.

Compared to Pica d'Estats, this is a lesser-known mountain, but its views, especially to the west, are outstanding and worth every meter of elevation gain. When ascending from the French side, there is easy climbing (T4+) below the summit. From the Spanish side, it appears easier if you don't take the path to Pica d'Estats, but instead take a path marked on the map further to the left.

The small secondary peak of the Pica d'Estats. If you've made it to the gap between the two, you should also take this peak. An additional 3000m peak for free (if you don't take the 30m gap height too seriously 😉).

The summit can be reached from several sides. The direct route from the Spanish side to the summit ridge is demanding (I estimate T5 according to the SAC scale). However, you can "cheat" by first crossing to the north side via the pass, then you have to descend a bit and then you reach the path from the French side. The technically easiest ascent is certainly from the north via the Refuge du Pinet (T3). However, from the car park at L'Artigue, it is a total of around 2000 meters in altitude gain, which is why an overnight stay in the refuge is also a good idea (in October 2024, a winter room was open, €8 per night). I opted for the 3rd variant, from the Étang de Soulcem. From there, it is "only" 1500 meters in altitude gain with a difficulty of T3+/T4-. Although I chose a variant on the ascent (see my tour) that is not on the map and which I would rate as T4+.

Great viewpoint summit with an unusual "wooden summit cross". Less well known than the Estats, but no less worthwhile. Caution! From the French (northeast) side / Refuge du Pinet, the ascent in the last part below the summit is steep and demanding (T4 +) with easy climbing. From the Spanish side, the path from the first lake directly to the summit (i.e. not to the pass between Sotllo and Estats) is easier. In contrast to the Pica d'Estats, which is much easier to reach from the north / Refuge du Pinet via the pass between Eststs and Montcalm than from the Spanish side. From the Sotllo you can see all the ascent routes very well.

Port de Cabús is a mountain pass on the border between Andorra and Spain, known for its stunning scenery and appeal for hiking, cycling, and other mountain activities. Being on the border, Port de Cabús has particular significance, as it has historically been used as a cross-border crossing for trade and, in more recent times, as a less conventional route to cross between Andorra and Spain. Although the pass itself has no formal border control, it is important to carry documentation when crossing from one country to the other.