With the arrival of summer, the Vallter 2000 ski resort in the province of Girona transforms its appearance. The snow gradually melts, revealing green slopes now traversed by hiking trails. One of the most popular routes is the ascent to Bastiments—one of the highest peaks in the eastern Pyrenees, standing at 2,881 meters.
In spring and summer, nature comes alive here: marmots emerge from their winter dens, sounding alarms if anyone approaches their burrows, while mountain goats skillfully navigate the rocky slopes. Horses graze in the meadows beneath the lifts, and griffon vultures soar overhead in search of prey.
In winter, these places attract ski enthusiasts, but as the weather warms, tourists and climbers flock here. This year, after heavy snowfall, the valley has filled with water once again, and the Ter River—which begins right on the resort’s territory—has become full-flowing. Until mid-June, snow still covered areas above 2,000 meters, but as it melted, the route became accessible to most visitors without requiring special preparation.
The journey begins at the Walter 2000 parking area. After just half an hour of hiking, you reach a viewpoint overlooking the Ulldeter refuge, which accommodates around 50 people. In winter, it hosts skiers; in summer, hikers. This refuge was built in 1940 on the site of Spain’s first mountain shelter, erected in 1909. All that remains of the original building are stone ruins, a reminder of the birth of mountaineering in Catalonia. The refuge’s history is also linked to events from the time of the civil war: the old building was destroyed by soldiers who feared it could serve as a hideout for partisans.
The trail then crosses over old ski runs, as marmots watch visitors pass by. The first kilometers of the route follow the Ter river source, then continue past the ruins of the old refuge. At about 2,500 meters, the path becomes steeper, leading through a stone corridor to the Coll de la Marrana pass. From here, panoramic views open onto the Vall de Núria valley, and Pyrenean ibex can sometimes be seen leaping across snowy patches that linger into summer.
Large griffon vultures are often spotted soaring in the sky in search of food. From the pass, you can turn left toward the summit of Gra de Fajol (2,700 m), then return to continue on to Bastiments, also known as Pic del Gegant.
Coll de la Marrana is not only a natural boundary between the Ulldeter and Núria valleys, but also the source of the Ter and Freser rivers. From here begins the final stretch of the ascent: a steep, zigzagging climb over rocks with views of the Freser gorge. At the summit ridge stands a large iron cross, and from the peak there are views of the Canigó massif, Puigmal, Puigpedrós, and Pica d’Estats.
At the geodetic marker on the summit, there is a small plaque with an Indian proverb reminding us that every great journey begins with a single step. The summer route to Bastiments is an opportunity to see the Pyrenees from a new perspective and enjoy the region’s nature and history.
