Guided Snowshoeing to the Forau d'Aigualluts, Beneath the Aneto

The Forau d'Aigualluts is the sinkhole where the water coming down from the Aneto glacier disappears underground, at the foot of an open plain facing the highest peak in the Pyrenees. In winter you reach it on snowshoes from Llanos del Hospital, at the head of the Benasque valley, and Rutes Pirineus offers it as an open-group guided outing on two Saturdays of the season: 23 January and 6 March 2027.

From the Vado del Hospital to the Aigualluts plain

The meeting is at 9:00 at the entrance to the public car park at Llanos del Hospital, the Vado one: it is on the left, about 750 metres before the hotel's private car park. From there the route follows this order:

1. Along the Pleta de la Sarra to the Hospital de Benasque, the hotel where the Nordic area at Llanos del Hospital is.
2. Along the valley floor to the plains of the Plan d'Están.
3. To the Plan d'Están hut and La Besurta. In winter the La Besurta track is closed by snow, so the whole stretch is done on foot.
4. The Forau, the waterfall and the Aigualluts plain, with a view of the glacier and the Aneto.
5. Lunch during the route and return, with a variant through the Ésera valley.

It is 12 km with 360 metres of climbing and the same of descent, about six hours of actual walking and seven and a half with stops. You finish at around 17:00 at Llanos del Hospital. The guide may change the itinerary slightly depending on the weather and terrain.

Who it is for

The technical difficulty is low: it is an introductory snowshoe route, but over uneven high-mountain terrain. What is demanding is the duration, so you need to be used to walking whole days. Minimum age, 9 years. The group is four to ten people; if the minimum of four is not reached, the full amount is refunded.

What is included and what you pay for separately

The price, €47.90 per person including VAT, includes the qualified guide, who also explains the flora, fauna and geology of the valley, preparation of the route, monitoring of weather and snow and accident insurance. Snowshoes and poles can be hired with the booking for €9.90. Not included are travel to the meeting point and costs if you abandon the route. For private groups, or groups of seven or more, they ask for a separate quote.

If you hire, give your shoe size if it is under 35 or over 47, and your weight if you are over 120 kg. When booking you must declare any medication, health problems or recent injuries.

What to carry that day

Waterproof mid- or high-mountain boots, mountain trousers, breathable warm layers, gloves, a neck gaiter or balaclava and a hat. For snow or rain, a waterproof jacket, gaiters and a rucksack cover. For the sun, sunglasses, sun cream and lip balm. Lunch is eaten on the route: bring your own and at least a litre and a half of water. The guide may leave out anyone without the essential equipment.

When there is not enough snow

Rutes Pirineus only runs it as a snowshoe outing if at least 40% of the route is on snow. If they expect less, they propose a similar alternative or cancel it, giving at least two days' notice.

Booking

Through the form on their website, at [email protected] or on 691 772 966 (Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00). Your place is confirmed on payment, by transfer or card. If you want to sleep nearby, the company itself recommends the Hotel Ciria, in Benasque, about 11 km as the crow flies from the starting point. The Saturday snowshoe plan to the Forau adds something hot at the Llanos del Hospital café when you finish and the afternoon at the Palace of the Counts of Ribagorza, in Benasque.