I was hiking up Punta del Pacino at the weekend which is one of my favourite peaks in the valley – not high at 1965 metres but with a fantastic position right in the centre of the valley and you get superb views in all directions from the summit. The lower sunny slopes are covered in elder flowered orchids and spring gentians.

Summit views from Punta del Pacino

This is the view looking south west over Embalse de Escarra to the Sierra de Partacua. Still a lot of snow higher up but most peaks around 2000 metres have only patchy snow. Higher than this there is still a lot of snow – particularly along the route of the GR11.

Peak du Midi d’Ossau and Peyreget from the summit

It really was a treat for flower lovers with a few clumps of early purple orchids and truper gentians out too. Higher up the snow has only recently melted and alpine snowbells (soldanella montaña) had sprung up – these flower immediately after the snow has melted and only flower for about a week so it’s a real treat to see them.

Alpine snowbell – soldanella alpina

Trumpet Gentian

It was a great to get out after some really poor weather this spring – hopefully we’lll get some more sunshine soon!

The village of Sallent de Gallego with the peak of Tebarrai behind