#21 GR-11 SENDA PIRENAICA: refugio de La Renclusa-refugio Cap de Llauset | HUESCA

A variant stage of the GR-11 that ascends to the second highest pass on the GR-11: the Salenques Pass. The route features large expanses of scree and sections where progress is difficult, in a wild environment with views of Aneto (3,404 m), the highest peak in the Pyrenees, its glacier, and other high mountains in the range. From the La Renclusa refuge, there is a short climb to the pass of the same name, followed by a descent to the Plan d'Aiguallut, a vast grassy plain with meandering streams, which provides access to the Barrancs valley and the ascent to the Salenques Pass. On the north face of this pass, there is a snowfield that may require the use of an ice axe and crampons at the beginning of summer. Navigation can be difficult in fog or bad weather, as the red and white trail markers are sometimes hard to spot. The best option is the Vallibierna route and the original GR-11 trail for those who don't want to complicate things, plus it saves a stage by not passing through the La Renclusa refuge. Stage completed in July 2022.