Punta del Pacino

Punta del Pacino

Spanish Pyrenees

Route: Circuit of Punta del Pacino

Area: Spanish Pyrenees

Date of walk: 22nd June 2016

Walkers: Andrew and Gilly

Distance: 6.9 miles

Ascent: 1,900 feet

Weather: Sunny and very hot

We left our base in Biescas and drove along the Valle de Tena along the A136. Just before Formigal, and thanks to a tip by Phil of Hike Pyrenees, we found the location of the extremely rare Lady’s Slipper Orchid – so rare that it’s guarded when in flower. After taking a few photos of this lovely flower we drove back along the road for a short distance and parked up a dirt track near Sallent to start our walk

After a short initial road section we followed a path, very faint in places, up through the meadows and above some cliffs. Despite some useful wooden marker posts, route finding needed some concentration as there were numerous cattle tracks leading in the wrong direction. We eventually arrived at a col with amazing views of the cliffs of the Sierra de Partacua

A little later on and after more climbing we arrived at another col where we had to decide whether or not to make the ‘there and back’ ascent of Punta del Pacino. This would have added another 45 minutes or so to the walk plus some strenuous climbing. By now we were parched, having almost run out of water in the sweltering heat, and so decided to pass on the ascent even though the summit looked temptingly close

There followed a long but easy descent back to the start with superb views all the way to complete a hat trick of great walks in this area

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