Start and end point: Hospital de Vielha car park at the southern end of the Vielha Tunnel.
Description: In winter, this landscape is dominated by steep slopes, snow and ice gullies and the jagged ridges that form a cirque from the Tuc de Contesa to the Pòrt de Rius. This is an ideal route for deep snow conditions, and due to the slopes shaded north-facing orientation, it can be attempted until late in the spring. The recommended route heads up the valley to the Collado de Conangles, from where you can climb to the head of the Ribèra de Rius to begin an ascent of the Tuc des Estanhets, the apex and an exceptional viewpoint over the valleys of Rius, Conangles and Besiberri. It’s a demanding route, both physically and technically, which crosses complex terrain.
