Baños de Benasque - Pico de Alba - Pico d'Aragüells

A varied, beautiful discovery of the west side of the Maladeta massif. The focus in this massif is mainly on the Aneto, but there is much more to discover than the Pyrenees' highest peak here.
The hike is challenging and rewarding. It starts with a proper exploration of the Alba region with a couple of nice lakes. An easy climbs brings you to Pico de Alba at 3118m. Then there is a very rugged connection to Ibon de Cregüeña, all the very challenging parts are on this stretch: a steep descend, a boulderfield, a steep climb on decomposed rocks and steep slabs on the way down to Ibon de Cregüeña. From Cregüeña you move on to the Aragüells region with a pass and a 3048m peak, before heading down to the Corona lakes.

Start: Baños de Benasque
Distance: 12,5km
Total ascent and descent: 2000m/1700m
Time: 10h00
Alpine grade: PD-
Recommended months: Mid-July until first snowfall
Recommended gear: crampons and ice-axe for when there's snow left, should be ok without from the second half of July.
Route: Baños de Benasque - Ibones de Alba - Coma de Alba - Pico de Alba - Coma de Alba - unnamed pass - unnamed pass - Ibon de Cregüeña - Collado de Cregüeña - Pico d'Aragüells - Collado de Cregüeña - Ibones de Coronas - Refugio de Coronas


0.00 Baños de Benasque (get here by car or by bus + on foot):
Leave the tarmac road close to the ruins of Baños de Benasque (a closed-down spa resort) and turn onto the GR 11.5 (signpost to Hospital de Benasque and refugio Renclusa). At 1770m find a signpost 'Ibones de Alba', turn R and climb up steeply.
At 1920m navigate a very short part with a chain. At 1950m climb up a chimney and turn L (chain present). Paint dots in all colours guide you here. Navigate one more part with a chain, cross Canal de Turonet at 1970m and enter a relatively flat grassy area.
The cairned path soon climbs up gradually through beautiful landscapes to the first Ibon de Alba at 2260m. Cross the outflow and pass the lake on its L shore. Follow cairns and blue markers along a faint trail over rocks and grass. At 2500m you see the second Ibon de Alba below on your R. Continue ESE, staying well above the lake. The path now becomes increasingly rocky, but it is still pleasant and easy. From 2700m the path is only rocks.
At 2914m arrive at a pass or sorts. Continue climbing until a place called Coma d'Alba. Turn R just before reaching a pass and follow cairns up to the Alba crest. A very short crest walk brings you to

4.00 Pico de Alba, 3118m.
Go back down to Coma de Alba and continue a little N to a pass at 3000m. Go down steeply E at the pass, to 2930m and cross a challenging boulderfield SE, in the direction of an obvious pass at the other side of the valley. At the foot of the climb to the pass you may have to cross steep snow. Climb up steeply to the nameless pass at 3092m and go down to the low point ahead of you. Stay L and go to a pass in between Pico Bondidier and a nameless peak of 2974m. Go down over rocks and large slabs (dangerous when wet) with the huge Ibon de Cregüeña in front of you. Follow the GPX track closely here to avoid steep drops! Go down and reach

6h30 Ibon de Cregüeña and turn E. Follow cairns and at 2690m there is finally a path again. Climb up over loose scree and decomposed rocks. It's a challenging trail, but it works. Arrive at the crest and move SW over the crest to

7h45 Collado de Cregüeña, 2914m. Climb up SW to Pico d'Aragüells
on the side of Ibon de Cregüeña, staying a little below the crest. Reach

8h00 Pico Aragüells
3048m. Great views over Ibon de Cregüeña.
Go back to Collado de Cregüeña and go down SE from the col, in the direction of the Corona lakes. The path becomes a lot easier as you approach the lakes. Walk SE past the first lake and go down to the second one (there are bivouac spots at both lakes). Follow cairns and red dots down NW. Pass Ibonet de Coronas at 2250m (bivouac possible) and go further down until you reach the GR11. Turn R and soon reach

10h00 Refugi de Coronas, an unstaffed hut with place for 8. Emergency phone, water, bivouac possible, bus connection to Benasque.