Quite stunningly beautiful (and still!) Barasona is a huge lake near the town of Graus. We popped…read moredown to a secluded spot for our morning swims, then walked up to the nearby shop and bar for a coffee and to buy some pastries for breakfast. When we got a bit more adventurous, we hired canoes and paddled out to a big diving platform in the middle of the lake which had a slide. Naturally, we ignored the diving and went full-on for the slides instead.

This refuge in the spanish Pyrenees wins my personal prize for the most impressive scenery at a…read morehigh-mountain refuge. Built atop the end of Valle de Ordesa, a large valley near the city of Torla, this place is very popular with climbers, trekking people and weekend visitors. A good place for ascents to the surrounding mountains (with Mt. Perdido (3355m) being the highest one) and also in the centre of various trekking paths crisscrossing the Ordesa NP, including the GR-11. The refuge has sleeping place for 96 people and is usually overcrowded during summer time. You are lucky if you have your own (stable) tent, otherwise book ahead. The staff is very friendly and serves great dinners. You can reach the refuge from the entrance to the Torla NP with a few hours of walking and an easy 600m ascent at the end. Climbing up here is definitely worth the effort, the view is incredible. If you come here along the GR-11 be aware that the part leading to the Refugio de Pineta in the east is really_difficult with some very steep ascents/descents! Don't try it in bad weather.