Monday, September 12, 2011

A weekend in Benasque.

Benasque nestles in it's own valley in the heart of the Pyrenees and is surrounded by the highest peaks in that area.


From the town it is a short drive and then a short walk to ...



...the Gorgas de Alba, a picturesque spot with lots of water cascading down the gorge.


Conveniently there is a bridge to enable visitors to cross the ravine.


Nearby is a hotel with its very own tame local mountain goat. Notice the curved horns.


6kms from Benasque by road, or 1km as the eagle flies, is the highest village in the Pyrenees, Cerler, which during the winter season is a very popular ski resort and for the remainder of the year just a lovely place to visit.


A little further up the main road, (which incidently doesn't lead anywhere as it can't pass through the mountains), is the Hospital de Benasque which was an old shelter and mountain police barracks. The main feature of the building, which is now a hotel with a restaurant and bar, is the carved wood which is everywhere.


Further up the valley and after a short journey by special bus and a rather longer trek we see the Forau d'Aiguallut with even more impressive cascading water and where there is permanent snow on the top of the nearby mountain. The water runs underground to the north and surfaces in France.


One of the local inhabitants can be seen in the photo above.


Meanwhile, there is some fantastic scenery en route.


Our favourite hotel in Benasque serves great food and is very hospitable.

A brilliant weekend!

To see 200 more photos of the weekend, click HERE.

To see my video of Benasque, click HERE.

To see my video of Cerler, click HERE.

To see my video of the Gorgas de Alba / Hospital de Benasque / Forau d'Aiguallut , click HERE.