Redon Lake, or Lac Redon in its Catalan version, is an incredible lake located in the Catalan Pyrenees. At an impressive 2,200 meters above sea level, this place in the Aran Valley offers fantastic views of the surrounding peaks and a wild nature that you will fall in love with. If you like nature in its purest form, it is a place you should visit on your next visit to the region.
In this article, we are going to make it easy for you: we will tell you how to get to Lac Redon in Vielha, what activities are available in the surroundings, what are the best hiking routes and we will give you some tips for a perfect experience.
How to get to Redon Lake
To get to Redon Lake you will have to use a combination of car and walk. To begin, you must reach the parking lot of the Conangles refuge, called Túnel de Vielha, in Espitau de Vielha. For that, you must take the N-230 towards Senet, if you come from the north, or towards Vielha, if you come from the south. From this point we enter the GR-11 route towards Port de Vielha. At 2120 meters there is a signposted detour that leads to Redon Lake. The total time ranges between two hours and two and a half hours.
What to see and do in the area
The first thing is to enjoy Redon Lake, which is a natural wonder of the Pyrenees. After that, there are several options to take advantage of the pure air of the region:
- Hiking: below we will give you some suggestions for routes that take you to Redon Lake, but a little throughout the Aran Valley and the Pyrenees you will find some of the most spectacular routes in our country.
- Aigüestortes National Park and Estany de Sant Maurici: the only national park in Catalonia offers many reasons to visit it, such as dazzling landscapes with mountain views, native fauna and many high-altitude lakes.
- Vielha: it is the capital of the Aran Valley and one of the best towns to visit in the region. Here you can learn more about Aranese gastronomy, history and culture.
- Era Artiga de Lin: this is a magical place due to its natural beauty and easy access in the Aran Valley, which is why it is one of the most recommended places for visitors to the region.
Nearby hiking trails
You can take several hiking routes that start, end or pass through Redon Lake. These are our suggestions:
Pico Molières and Tuc de Molières
These two routes start from the same area and are quite technical, being perfect for hiking and nature lovers. Both have a high level of difficulty and equally spectacular landscapes.
Classic Espitau-Redon Route
A route that starts in Espitau de Vielha and takes us to Lac Redon, passing through beautiful meadows, magnificent biological diversity and even, if you are lucky, shepherds who travel through the mountains with hundreds of sheep.
Estany Llong-Redon
This route is very popular among hikers in the Pyrenees. With about 12 kilometers of route, it takes about 4 hours to complete, and its route crosses part of the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.
Routes through the Aran Valley
Throughout the Aran Valley you will find absolutely fantastic hiking routes, which give you the opportunity to visit glacial valleys, observe unique animals and feel the wildest nature.
When to go and what to bring
The best time to visit Redon Lake and take advantage of the good weather is the summer months, between June and September, as there is no snow and rainfall is rare. The autumn season is also a good option: fewer people, pleasant temperatures during the day and impressive natural colors. If you want to face the snow and explore the high mountains, you can visit Lac Redon in winter, but this option is recommended for people with experience in this type of challenging environments.
You should always bring some food and drink, because there are no services in the immediate vicinity. You should also bring sun protection, location devices, such as a map, GPS and compass, and appropriate clothing for the mountains, that is, hiking shoes, windbreaker, raincoat, etc. Remember that we are not talking about a light walk, but an demanding climb that requires preparation and adequate safety measures.
Tips for a safe excursion
We want your experience to be the best possible, so we will give you some important tips:
- Check the weather forecast and keep in mind that everything can change quickly in the high mountains.
- Avoid taking shortcuts or unknown paths; signposted routes are always the safest option.
- Communicate that you intend to visit Redon Lake to people you trust, indicating the date and time.
- Take care of the environment, without leaving waste or marks of your passage through Redon Lake and surroundings, so that we can all enjoy this spectacular environment.
Redon Lake: without a doubt a place that is worth it
The experience of climbing to Redon Lake is memorable, due to the beauty of the natural environment and the tranquility that the place offers us. And visiting a glacial lake at 2,200 meters above sea level is truly unforgettable. Take the opportunity to disconnect, observe the fauna and flora and feel good when you manage to reach this place after an demanding climb.
So that you can prepare in the best way before the climb and also rest after achieving it, we have for you the best accommodations in the Aran Valley and emblematic towns in the region. Visit Toti Arán and book your apartment or house in the mountains online and at the best price, with all the luxury you deserve and close to fantastic places, such as Redon Lake, the Baqueira-Beret ski resort or the town of Vielha. The mountain is waiting for you!
