Summer hiking in the Pyrenees (part 2)
![Summer hiking in the Pyrenees (part 2)](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/polina-kocheva-4vjxlJl6xsU-unsplash.jpg)
Last weekend, I hiked from Vall de Nuria to Coma de Vaca and then down to Ribes de Freser. I loved this hike so much, I came back here again this weekend!
This hike started out similar to last. I took the train to Vall de Nuria, and then I took the same trail.
Only this time, instead of going down to Cami dels Enginyers, I continued up to Torreneules, a mountain peak.
Climbing the peak was not difficult - but it was a steady uphill trail for a couple of hours, so it was pretty tiring.
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/polina-kocheva-Fobza9i-BnI-unsplash.jpg)
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/polina-kocheva-lyMzsHlTTTw-unsplash.jpg)
The last part of the trails was very rocky, fun but also a bit dangerous.
I made it to the peak and sat down to have lunch here with some awesome views :)
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/IMG_20210718_140058.jpg)
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/IMG_20210718_141939.jpg)
I was alone at the top, and during most of the hike, which was amazing.
After lunch, I descended on the other side of the peak, in a grassy valley.
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/polina-kocheva-0RCS3Uch7Xc-unsplash.jpg)
This place was full of mountain cows. I saw hundreds of them.
It was nice and easy to walk here, and the views were amazing.
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/polina-kocheva-1qpORN3jiqU-unsplash.jpg)
After an hour or two, I reached the Coma de Vaca hut again - this time, I was coming from the other side.
I didn't enter the hut this time. I just relaxed by the Freser river for a bit.
Then I continued on the same trail as last time. This time I wasn't in a hurry, I was enjoying it a lot.
After 2-3 hours, I was hiking though the lush forest again. The Freser river was nearby. I decided to take a little detour and look at the river.
It was a great decision - I had picked the perfect spot for this. The river formed a beautiful little pool, with crystal clear turquoise water, surrounded by lush greenery. I wanted to jump in but the water was freezing! And the sun was already going down so it was getting colder. I dipped my feet in anyways. Such a magical place!
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/IMG_20210718_182958.jpg)
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/IMG_20210718_184423.jpg)
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/IMG_20210718_184553.jpg)
Then I continued walking.
This time I had booked a hotel in a nearby village, so I wasn't very far.
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/IMG_20210718_185004.jpg)
The last part of the hike was magical too. It was a narrow ledge - big cliff on one side, and the deep canyon of Freser on the other side. I was walking through fields of tall fern. The sun was going down and everything was purple-pink. The air smelled like herbs and plants.
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/IMG_20210718_191217.jpg)
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/IMG_20210718_191524.jpg)
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/IMG_20210718_191914.jpg)
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/IMG_20210718_192324.jpg)
I arrived at my hotel around 8pm. It was a traditional old building, made entirely of stone. I had a great dinner here. In my hotel room, I could hear the river outside. I slept with the windows open. Best sleep I've had in a long time!
The next morning, I woke up early, with the sun shining in my face (I love this).
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/IMG_20210719_083512.jpg)
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/IMG_20210719_092921.jpg)
I had coffee in the hotel, then I went for an early morning walk around the village of Queralbs. It's a small village made entirely of stone houses.
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/polina-kocheva-N4QgD4dMBu4-unsplash.jpg)
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/polina-kocheva-tkqfEbkbCyE-unsplash.jpg)
I had been planning to take the train back to Barcelona at 14:30. But the weather was so sunny and beautiful, I decided to stay a bit longer and do some more hiking!
I headed up the mountain again. It was going to be a short hike this time. I wanted to go back to that magical river pool I saw the day before.
Well, I couldn't find it! I searched the area, checking Google Maps and making sure I was at the right spot. But I couldn't find that place! It must have really been magical, showing itself only for a little bit then disappearing.
Also this was off trail, I was just making my way along the river which was pretty difficult to access.
I did find another pool on the river, just as beautiful. I decided to stop here.
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/IMG_20210719_125759.jpg)
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/IMG_20210719_134119.jpg)
The water was crystal clear. I took off my shoes and stepped in. It was freezing! I felt pain in my feet. But slowly, I got used to it, and was able to go in above my waist. That was my limit! :)
The sun outside was very hot, so coming out of the freezing water and then lying on the grass felt really nice.
Around 14:00, I started heading back slowly.
I passed by Salt de Grill (a waterfall), where I met other hikers. I also went for a swim in the waterfall. This water was a bit warmer than the other river.
![](https://polinakocheva.stream/content/images/2021/09/221150053_681359922871588_675131171365074827_n.jpeg)
After that, I went back to my hotel to have lunch at the restaurant there. The lunch was amazing as usual. I stayed in the restaurant until 17:00, then headed down towards Ribes de Freser to catch the train back to Barcelona.