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Overnight at 2200 metres

One night in Refugio Respomuso a high mountain hut in a fantastic setting

Overnight hut trip

A hut trip in the Pyrenees – Valle de Tena – with a two days hike spending one night in Refugio Respomuso a high mountain hut in a fantastic setting. This overnight trip can be included as an option on our Village to Village or single centre self guided holidays.

It’s a great experience and adventure to stay overnight in a mountain hut and this route really gets you into the high mountains.

The route on the first day takes in the lovely mountain lakes of Ibones de Arriel and on the second day the peak of Musales which at 2654m is an excellent high rocky peak with fantastic views. It is reasonably demanding physically but not super tough and suitable for most hikers with experience. The distances may not look huge but this is rocky high mountain terrain with steep paths so progress isn’t as fast as it would be on grassy paths lower down. The good thing with this route is that there are options to shorten the days if the weather isn’t great or the group gets tired. There are plenty of options to extend the route too if required!

The hike can be either undertaken self guided or fully guided by a qualified International Mountain Leader or Guia de Alta Montaña (high mountain guide).

Day 1 – Hike to Refugio Respomuso via Ibones de Arriel

The hike starts at the road head at La Sarra (just north of Sallent de Gállego). From here we’ll hike up the Rio Aguas Limpias – the river of clean water. The path we’ll follow is the GR11 which is the long distance path along the length of the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.

It’s a great path passing first through woods and meadows before climbing up into rocky high mountain terrain. The route takes us first along the GR11 and then we turn off the main path and climb steeply up to the Ibones de Arriel – a lovely set of high mountain lakes set in a rocky cirque. There is also the option for people that don’t fancy this steep climb to continue on the GR11 directly up to the hut which is a much easier and less steep route.

Distance 11.5 km, 850 metres ascent, 145 metres descent

Day 2 – Hike back from Respomuso via Pico Musales (2654m)

Today we begin by hiking around the lake of Respomuso for fantastic views up towards the 3000 metre massif of Balaitous on the Spanish/French border. After a gentle start we then begin climbing up increasingly steep ground to Pico Musales (2654m) – a great rocky peak with superb views. It’s quite steep near the summit so people need a good head for heights. From the summit we start down the other side to the pretty mountain lake of Ibonciecho and then continue down to La Sarra.

Distance 12 km, 479 metres ascent, 1170 metres descent

Refugio Respomuso

The night will be spent at Refugio Respomuso which is at 2200 metres with superb views.

The hut serves hot evening meals and breakfasts. The food isn’t Michelin star but good enough after a days hiking! There is a bar that serves beer, wine, coffee and snacks. They’ll provide a picnic for your hiking the second day.

You will sleep in dorms – they vary in size but it’s usually around 12 people per dorm. There are toilets and hot showers (until 8pm). It’s fairly basic but really good fun and great views.

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Photos from our Overnight Hut Trip:

Refugio de Respomuso

Hut at 2200 metres with superb views