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Aneto

3,404 m

Spain

Also known as Tuca d'Aneto, Ането, +6

Tuca d'Aneto · Ането · Pico de Aneto · Pico Aneto · Pic d'Anéto · Picco d'Aneto · ანეტო · Tuca d'Aneto / Maladeta de Corones

Elevation
3,404 m
Prominence
2,812 m
Difficulty
5/10
Easy alpine
Best Season
Jul–Aug
Routes
3

  • AdvisoryReported 7 Jul 2026

    Montaña Segura advised from 7 July 2026 that the classic north route via the Portillón Superior should no longer be used because the glacier ice was exposed, recommending the Ibón de Salterillo route (or the southern Coronas route) instead. In September 2026 the Renclusa refuge reported ascents and descents by the Salterillo route.

    montanasegura.com

Routes

3
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The north-side route recommended for most of the summer: from La Besurta (1,900 m) up a cairned path past the Ibón de Salterillo and over old moraine and polished slabs onto the upper Aneto glacier, then a short glacier slope below the Collado de Coronas and the exposed block ridge of the Paso de Mahoma to the summit. About 1,500 m of ascent, usually in one long day.

Elevation Profile

approximate line
1,5002,0002,5003,0003,5000 km2468Refugio de La RenclusaCollado de Coronas
Distance
8.0 km
one way
Ascent
+1,668 m
−162 m lost on the way up
High Point
3,404 m
Time Up
6h 53m
DIN 33466
Time Down
4h 53m
DIN 33466 · same way back

From La Besurta (about 1,900 m; summer bus from Benasque or the Vado del Hospital) walk towards the Plan d'Aigualluts and the path to the Coll de la Renclusa, or start from Refugio de La Renclusa (2,140 m). At about 2,170 m leave the path and head south on a cairned, sometimes faint trail, following a stream and then the flank of a crest to the Ibón de Salterillo. Above the lake climb the old moraine, first scree and blocks then ice-smoothed slabs, keeping near the main stream and bearing south at about 2,750 m by the easiest line. Cairns help, but can also mislead in fog. Step onto the Aneto glacier and join the track of the classic route below the Collado de Coronas (about 3,200 m). Crampons and an ice axe are always needed on this last stretch of glacier, which turns to bare ice as the summer advances. A scree slope with snow patches leads to the foresummit, from where the Paso de Mahoma, a short, narrow ridge of large stable blocks with big drops on both sides, gives the last few metres to the summit cross. It is easy climbing (about II) but very exposed and often congested; good spikes allow a belay, and many people stop at the foresummit. Descend the same way or via La Renclusa. Montaña Segura advises this route all summer, and especially once the glacier ice is exposed, in place of the Portillón Superior route; in 2026 the switch was recommended from 7 July. Take the first bus (about 04:30–05:30) to do it in a day.

Start

La Besurta1,898 m

  • Bus from Barbastro/Huesca to Benasque; in summer (20 June – 13 September in 2026) the park bus runs Benasque–La Besurta (first departure 04:30) and Vado del Hospital–La Besurta (first 05:00)
  • Parking at the trailhead

Stages

DayStagekmm ascentm descentTime
1La Besurta → Aneto8.01,6681626h 53m

Waypoints

  1. Trailhead:
    La Besurta1,898 m

    Summer bus terminus; private cars allowed only outside the regulated period

  2. Hut:
    Refugio de La Renclusa2,141 m

    Optional start; the Salterillo path can also be joined directly from La Besurta

  3. Feature:
    Ibón de Salterillo2,465 m
  4. Col:
    Collado de Coronas3,191 m

    Route passes just below the col on the upper glacier

  5. Crux:
    Paso de Mahoma3,387 m

    not on route line

  6. Summit:
    Aneto3,404 m

Key Passages

  • Cairned path and moraine above the Ibón de Salterillo
  • Ice-smoothed slabs around 2,750 m
  • Upper Aneto glacier below the Collado de Coronas (snow or bare ice)
  • Paso de Mahoma

Equipment

0/9 packed
Technical
Safety
Footwear
Clothing
Navigation

Downloads

Route confidence 80%
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Overview

The highest peak of the Pyrenees (3,404 m), a granite summit above the largest, fast-shrinking glacier in the range, in Spain's Posets-Maladeta Natural Park. Hundreds climb it on summer days: a long glacier walk with crampons and ice axe, ending on the narrow, exposed Paso de Mahoma.

Aneto rises at the southern end of the Maladeta massif above the Benasque valley in Aragon, about 6 km south of the French border. Its north side holds the Aneto glacier, still the largest in the Pyrenees but down from over 200 ha in the 19th century to about 48 ha in 2022, and expected to disappear within decades. The summit cross stands a few metres beyond the Paso de Mahoma, a short ridge of large blocks with steep drops on both sides.

There are three normal routes, each with about 1,500 m of ascent: two from La Besurta on the north side (the classic one via Refugio de La Renclusa and the Portillón Superior, used early in summer while snow covers the glacier, and the Ibón de Salterillo route, advised once the ice is bare) and one from the south via the Puente de Coronas in the Vallibierna valley. All cross some snow or ice, so crampons and an ice axe are always needed. Most parties do it in one long day from the first bus, or from La Renclusa.

The Aneto's popularity is its main hazard. The regional safety campaign Montaña Segura and the Guardia Civil mountain rescue service report that most accidents happen on the glacier among inexperienced or exhausted climbers, and the Paso de Mahoma can see long queues in both directions. Start very early, carry and know how to use crampons and an axe, and be prepared to stop at the foresummit.

Climbing Notes

You need fitness for a 10–12 hour day with about 1,500 m of ascent and descent, plus real experience with crampons and ice axe; the Aneto's slopes are not the place to learn. If in doubt, go with a mountain guide from Benasque. Altitude is rarely a problem. A helmet is recommended on all routes.

Typical itinerary: in the regulated summer period, take the first bus from Benasque (04:30) or the Vado del Hospital (05:00) to La Besurta and climb in a day, or sleep at Refugio de La Renclusa (still an early start). Check Montaña Segura or the Renclusa refuge for which north route is currently advised: the Portillón Superior while snow covers the glacier, the Ibón de Salterillo once ice appears (from 7 July in 2026). The southern Coronas route from Vallibierna is quieter.

Leave your plan with someone, check the forecast (afternoon storms are common), and turn round if the group is slow. Expect queues at the Portillón Superior and the Paso de Mahoma on summer weekends.

History

The peak was long overshadowed by the Maladeta, which hides it from the main approaches; only after Friedrich Parrot climbed the Maladeta in 1817 did it become clear that the Aneto was higher. The death of the Luchon guide Pierre Barrau in a crevasse on the Maladeta glacier in 1824 deterred attempts for years. On 18 July 1842 Platon de Tchihatcheff, a Russian officer, set out from Luchon with the guides Pierre Sanio, Bernard Arrazau and Pierre Redonnet, the botanist Albert de Franqueville and his guide Jean Sors. After a night at the Renclusa shelter and a day lost on the south side, they crossed the Collado de Coronas and reached the summit on 20 July 1842; Franqueville named the final ridge the 'Bridge of Muhammad'. The first ski ascent was on 5 April 1904. The name derives from the village of Aneto on the mountain's south-eastern side.

Season

Best Jul–Aug
  1. January: Not advisable
  2. February: Not advisable
  3. March: Possible
  4. April: Possible
  5. May: Possible
  6. June: Good
  7. July: Best (best window)
  8. August: Best (best window)
  9. September: Good
  10. October: Possible
  11. November: Not advisable
  12. December: Not advisable
Jan
Winter; ski-mountaineering for experienced parties only; Besurta road closed
Feb
Winter conditions; avalanche risk
Mar
Spring ski-mountaineering season
Apr
Classic ski ascents via La Renclusa
May
Late ski ascents; deep snow on foot
Jun
Snow-covered glacier; Portillón route advised; summer bus from 20 June (2026)
Jul
Main season; Salterillo route advised once the glacier ice is bare (from 7 July in 2026)
Aug
Main season; very busy; afternoon thunderstorms
Sep
Quieter; bare ice; summer bus until mid-September (13 September in 2026)
Oct
Early snow possible; Besurta track may be closed to cars at weekends
Nov
Winter; access track closed from late November
Dec
Winter

Access & Permits

Hut Booking
Refugio de La Renclusa (FAM, open all year, 92 places): book on renclusa.com, by phone +34 974 344 646 or info@renclusa.com. Summer nights fill early.
Fees
  • Summer park bus 2026: Vado del Hospital–La Besurta EUR 3.90 one way / 6.70 return; Benasque–La Besurta EUR 10.10 / 15.10 (cash on board; card only at the Vado ticket point)
  • Refugio de La Renclusa 2026: bed EUR 21.20 for federated members over 14; breakfast, dinner and packed lunch extra
Rules
  • Posets-Maladeta Natural Park: during the summer regulation period (20 June – 13 September in 2026) the tracks to La Besurta, Vallibierna and Espigantosa are closed to private vehicles and must be reached by the paid park bus
  • Outside that period the 3.5 km track from Llanos del Hospital to La Besurta may be open to cars, but has been closed at weekends in autumn and from late November for the winter
  • Camping is forbidden around the La Besurta car park; bivouacking is regulated in the natural park
Getting There

Benasque

Zaragoza (ZAZ), Lleida-Alguaire (ILD) or Toulouse (TLS)

  • Bus from Barbastro/Huesca to Benasque
  • Summer park bus Benasque–La Besurta (2026 departures 04:30, 07:30, 09:00, 11:00, 14:30, 18:00) and Vado del Hospital–La Besurta (05:00, 05:30, then every 35 minutes 08:00–20:30)
  • Summer park bus Benasque–Senarta–Vallibierna for the southern Coronas route
  • By car: Barbastro, Graus, Castejón de Sos, Benasque, then the road to the Llanos del Hospital / Vado del Hospital car park

Hazards

  • Glacier
  • Exposure
  • Weather
  • Rockfall
  • Crevasses
  • Avalanche

Huts & Shelters

2