El Cinquè Llac | The fifth lake - Stage 1: The Sleeping Giant

The route starts in La Pobla de Segur on the N-260 heading towards Sort until you reach the Torrent de Vallcarca rest area (after 1 km). At this point, the old path to Montsó begins, where you ascend uphill on detours over old paving stones and rock-carved path sections.

The view is impressive. To the north, Montsó can be seen with its rock walls and scavenging birds flying there, and to the south, the Sant Antoni reservoir and the elongated mountain range of Montsec. This is divided into two parts, which form the two entrances to the El Pallars district: the gorges of Terradets and Mont-rebei.

Upon reaching the Montsó pass, there are two options:

• Continue on the track to the start of a trail towards the farm Masia de Peracalç below the village of Montsó.
• Take a small narrow path which also leads to the farm.

Above the Masia de Peracalç and through the village of Peracalç, you reach the mountain range of the same name, which offers a magnificent view.

Those particularly daring can make it to the Pic de l’Àliga (Eagle Peak) to see with their own eyes where it gets its name from.

The descent to Pla de Corts begins passing Cortscastell near Pujol and from the village crossroads, always under the watchful eyes of the Sleeping Giant. At the end of the stage lies Peramea, an important medieval place enclosed by city walls.

Variants: the stage route can be extended by hiking the narrow trail along the mountain ridge of Serra de Peracalç.

Accommodation at Casa Parramon www.casaparramon.net