From Camping El Forcallo to Camping Ixeia

^22-07-16

By 8:00 sharp I manage to have had some breakfast and packed down, ready to go. Not too bad I find 😉

It’s up some serpentines through the forest, and then out onto the meadows, past the Refugio de Biadós, and then past some old farm buildings, and into the sun.

There is loads of lizzards warming themselves in the morning sun; most of them are too shy and disappear before I can eaven reach for the camera. But this little fellow is either a bit bolder or didn’t realise me sneeking up on and ‘capturing’ him:

Having my view mostly down on the path, – well, to see where I’m stepping and to avoid the blinding sunlight – I suddenly realise there is a shoe-twin of mine just ahead on the trail! Fresh ‘footprints’… who might this be?!

The narrow footpath continues very nicely along the steep slope, high above the river, and up into the valley.

Today seems to be me focussing on details, taking time to photograph more butterflies – just had to with this huge beauty!

Then I reach the way split where I have to make the final decision whether to go for the GR11-variant, or to try my luck with continueing on the main HRP anyway… but my mind is set.

So, it’s crossing the river, avoiding this damaged / half-repaired bridge but using stepping stones, and heading up the valley towards east.

Again the path gets steeper and stonier and after a while I reach the pass of Puerto de Chistau o de Estós.

From there it’s all downhill for most of the rest of the day.

There is just a short, steep part with slippery scree; but no problem.

Then there is more on the wildlife front! I’ve been hearing the shrieks of marmots nearly every day. And also occationally seen them rushing off and disapearing into some hole in the ground. Now I finally manage to capture one with a photo; though only because they had a lame hind leg, so they were limping (I think).

By around lunchtime it has gotten very hot again; and I was a bit low on bringing water up and over the pass – and the little streams, that were supposed to be there, are all dried up.

So when I finally get to the first water source, it’s time for a long break! And I’m lucky: I follow the stream just a couple of meters up around a bend and into its canyon – and there is a beautiful shadowy spot, a bathing pool in the river, and a waterfall just slightly further up creating an additional cool breeze. Just perfect for an extended lunch break!

After I while I almost get too cold, and therfore hike on. It does not take long before breaking out in a sweat again…

But getting lower there is occational trees giving shade. And it’s not long before I pass by Refugio de Estós. I consider stopping for a beer or maybe cake… but realize that if I stop now I can never motivate myself to get going again; so I press on.

From the refugio onwards there is a nice and wide 4-wheel-drive path, which make for a quick but still knee’crushing’ descent.

Finally I pass by the Cabaña del Tormo, and the path turns into a ‘normal’ gravel road.

It’s still a good distance to go, but there is some sights with waterfalls and the like in Rio Estós on the way.

Also there is more forest – so less of a view, but thankfully more shadow!

I have another little water & chocolate bar – break by Cabaña de Santa Ana.

Then I’m met by a ‘conandrum’… the only way on is blocked by a red traffic light!! What to do?

I decide it doesn’t apply to people on foot, and procede along the more narrow road that is carved into the hillside around a reservoir.

Finally I reach the road, and after crossing the river on its bridge, and then a couple of hundred meters distance uphill, I finally reach Camping Ixeia; and an icy beer!

approx. 10,5h incl. longer breaks;

22,4km, 1160m ascent, 1485m descent

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