Restoration at record altitude
The Generalitat will restore the Sotllo scree slope and main hiking path to Pica d'Estats within the Alt Pirineu Natural Park, marking the highest-altitude infrastructure project ever carried out in Catalonia. Work will take place along the trail linking Vallferrera refuge with Port de Sotllo at 2,910 metres above sea level. The path was damaged last summer by a severe storm, forcing hikers to detour across steeper, less stable ground. Since then, erosion and safety risks have increased, prompting the restoration effort.
Protecting endangered species and habitats
The project aims to safeguard the habitat of the Pallaresa mountain lizard (Iberolacerta aurelioi), an endemic and endangered species that lives exclusively in high-mountain scree fields like Sotllo. It will also protect the Sotllo wetlands, high-altitude peat bogs classified as a priority conservation habitat under European Union directives, where carnivorous plants and sphagnum mosses grow. These ecosystems are highly sensitive to trampling and soil compaction, according to Marc Garriga, director of the Alt Pirineu Natural Park, who stated the goal is to reduce human impact on these fragile areas.
We want to consolidate a single, well-signposted route to concentrate footfall and minimise erosion.
Currently, numerous unofficial shortcuts created by hikers fragment the trail. The restoration will formalise one main route with improved signage, wooden walkways, stabilised sections, rock steps made from dry stone, and safety chains on rocky passages. The path will be rerouted slightly in ecologically sensitive zones to keep it as far as possible from the core lizard habitat.
Improving safety and access
Safety is a central focus, given the area’s exposure to harsh weather and high number of mountain accidents. In addition to structural improvements, a dry toilet will be installed at the Molinassa car park to address current problems with uncontrolled defecation in the surrounding area. Due to the remote location, most work above 2,000 metres, three temporary construction camps will be established. The Alt Pirineu Natural Park receives around 365,000 visitors annually, with the Pica d'Estats route accounting for much of the human pressure. Garriga noted the trail “needs no promotion, it promotes itself” but acknowledged ongoing erosion requires active management.
Sustainable access measures
To manage visitor numbers, a parking reservation system is already in place at four access points: Molinassa, Port de la Selva, Aixeus, and La Farga. Each site has a fixed number of spaces. Garriga confirmed the system, combined with the recent paving of the access track, has helped maintain safe and comfortable access without local congestion, even during peak days when parking reaches capacity. The park is also studying two new bus lines from Llavorsí to Àreu and Tavascan, connecting with the existing service to Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. The line to Àreu would include a stop in Tírvia, which currently lacks regular public transport. The aim is to promote sustainable mobility and valley-to-valley trekking. Further details on access regulation
Primary sources: govern.cat, parcsnaturals.gencat.cat. Reported by lavanguardia.com, lleida.com, El Periódico (CA), ACN, lugaresdeaventura.com, Viure als Pirineus, lamanyana.cat, Diari de Girona, Pallars Digital, viurealspirineus.cat, segre.com, elpuntavui.cat, vallboi.cat, L'Empordà.
