Tercer Estany

Tercer Estany is a small lake in the Pessons cirque above Grau Roig, in Andorra’s Encamp parish. Its name means “Third Lake” and refers to its place in the local sequence of Pessons waters. The mapped lake lies between Estany Forcat and Estany Rodó, at roughly 2,375 metres. It is not the third lake of the Estanys de Tristaina circuit: that is a different, much more northerly lake with its own marked visitor route. Here, the name belongs to a high basin of granite, meadows and interconnected tarns reached from the Grau Roig ski area.

Most visitors approach from the Cubil car park, following the track towards Estany Primer before taking the established paths through the Pessons lakes. The sequence commonly described by hikers continues past Primer and Forcat to Tercer Estany and Rodó, then climbs towards Meligar, Sisè Estany, les Fonts and the upper cirque. The route crosses open mountain terrain rather than a built attraction: there is no ticket gate, visitor centre or lakeside service at Tercer Estany. Facilities and transport near the ski station are separate from access to the lake and may operate on a seasonal calendar.

The name needs a little care on maps. A second route promoted by Andorra’s tourism authority also refers to a “Tercer Estany” after the Estanys de la Solana. Its itinerary continues beyond Forcat and the Solana lakes towards the GR7–GRP junction, and the wording alone could be mistaken for this Pessons-chain lake. The mapped feature considered here lies near Forcat and Rodó, matching the repeatedly described Pessons sequence in detailed walking tracks. Do not use a search result for “Tercer Estany” without checking the map position and neighbouring lakes.

The cirque is a broad, high bowl shaped by glacial terrain. Granite slabs and boulders break up the grassy benches, while the lakes appear at different levels along the route. Tercer Estany is modest in scale and is best understood as one link in this chain rather than as a developed destination with a promenade. The changing views along the walk are part of its appeal: the lower lakes sit nearer the resort access, while higher waters are framed by steeper slopes and ridges. The setting rewards walkers interested in the connected landscape, not people expecting facilities at every named lake.

Walking descriptions differ in the exact order and labels they assign to smaller waters, so a map and a planned route are more reliable than counting lakes from a single informal list. At a minimum, use a current topographic map or offline track to identify the Forcat–Tercer–Rodó section before setting out. Published GPS itineraries place the lake on traverses of the Pessons chain, but they vary in length, direction and whether they include peaks or the Solana lakes. Their total distances and times should not be treated as a lake-only estimate. Choose a route that suits the group and allow for the full circuit or return to the starting point.

The approach is a mountain walk with sustained climbing from the Grau Roig area. Footpaths include uneven ground, exposed granite and sections where route markings or cairns may be less obvious than on a town trail. Wet rock, loose stones, snow patches and low cloud can change the difficulty. The published Andorra route towards the Pessons pass is rated difficult and gives figures for that larger itinerary, not for a short visit to Tercer Estany alone. Anyone planning only the lower lakes should still check elevation gain and the return distance; the high setting makes a seemingly short map distance more demanding than a level stroll.

There is no fixed visiting timetable, staffed entrance or seasonal ticket for the natural lake identified here. That does not make conditions unrestricted: access is shaped by weather, daylight, snow cover, trail state and any temporary resort or mountain-area restrictions. Summer is normally the practical walking season, but conditions vary year to year, especially at this elevation. Check the forecast and local trail advice on the day, start early enough to return safely and carry water, food, suitable footwear, warm and waterproof layers, and offline navigation. Do not assume a nearby restaurant, lift or car park service will be operating outside its own season.

Tercer Estany suits walkers already exploring the Pessons lakes and comfortable navigating a high-mountain route. It can be included in a broader outing with Forcat and Rodó, or as one point on a longer circuit, but it is not a road-access viewpoint or an isolated short stop. Families and less experienced hikers should assess the full route rather than relying on the calm appearance of the water or the short distance between map pins. Keep to durable ground, avoid disturbing shoreline plants and leave the basin as you found it. The lake’s value is its place within the Pessons landscape: a quiet intermediate water among a much larger chain, reached on foot and best approached with the same care as the surrounding high terrain.