With the Escrita River winding through its heart, Espot is an enchanting village on the edge of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. It has been mentioned in documents dating back to the 9th century and is considered one of the most beautiful towns in the Pallars Sobirà region. It comes alive in the winter months as home to the Espot Esquí ski resort.
Things to do in Espot
Stroll through the centre of Espot to admire its charming stone architecture and visit the Església Santa Llogaia d’Espot. It’s been in existence since at least the 11th century, with a slate roof and tapered bell tower among its features. Also of note is the Torre de los Moros, a commanding defence tower dating back to the Middle Ages.
Espot serves as a gateway to Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, which encompasses the montane and alpine environments of the Pyrenees. It’s home to nearly 200 lakes, many of which are glacial in origin, and provides habitat for Pyrenean chamois, marmots and roe deer. In 2007, the park was designated as a Ramsar site, with bird species such as black woodpeckers and golden eagles frequenting its wetlands.
If you’re visiting in the winter months, you can hit the slopes of the Espot Esquí ski resort where you can participate in everything from alpine skiing to snowboarding and snowshoeing. Located between 1,500 and 2,300 metres in elevation, it boasts 25 kilometres of groomed trails that wind through black pine forests and offer sweeping mountain views.
Getting around Espot
Espot is around 2.5 hours’ drive from Lleida and 3.5 hours from Barcelona and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. Having your own vehicle is the most convenient way of accessing Espot and the town is small enough to explore on foot.