The Portillón de Benás: a horseback ride through a historic Pyrenean pass
This equestrian ride is perfect for exploring Benasque Valley on horseback in the Aragonese Pyrenees, a place where landscapes, culture and biodiversity come together.
If you are looking for a horseback riding ride in the Pyrenees, the Portillón de Benás is one of those places where nature, history and emotion come together.
Located at 2,444 metres above sea level, this mountain pass is part of the old Royal Road to France, which connected the Benasque Valley with Luchon. Today, riding across it on horseback is a unique way to travel back in time and experience the essence of the great historical rides of the Pyrenees.
On Anima Equi’s Aneto North Face & South Face ride, you will discover this remarkable place while enjoying spectacular views of the Maladeta massif.
A key passage between Spain and France
Before the Portillón became the main ride, there was a long history of changes and adaptations. The original pass between the Benasque Valley and France was the Puerto Viello (2,632 m), located between the peaks of Puerto Viello and Picas de Estauás. It was the closest ride to the first Hospital of Benasque, a medieval shelter (around the year 1200) established by the monarchy and entrusted to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem to assist pilgrims and travellers.
However, the high altitude and constant avalanche risk made it impractical for long periods. For this reason, the French developed the Puerto de La Glera (2,364 m), between Sacroux and La Glera. This lower pass allowed crossings during more months of the year and became especially important for horse trading between Spain and France.
A history of hospitals, snow and survival
The first hospital and its Romanesque chapel were destroyed by an avalanche, forcing its relocation about 500 metres east of the current site (16th century). Unfortunately, this second building was also buried by an avalanche in 1826.
According to tradition, the hospital keeper, returning from Benasque with supplies, found his wife and daughters buried under the snow. Due to the danger, a third hospital was built in a much safer location.
As the hospitals moved, so did the routes to France, shifting to Puerto de La Picada (2,477 m) and the Port of Benasque, known as the Portillón de Benás (2,444 m).
The Portillón today: a horseback ride with history
Today, the Portillón de Benás is a privileged place to enjoy an equestrian experience in the heart of nature.
Unlike other passes:
• La Picada was easier for horses but longer
• The Portillón was more direct, though more demanding
Life at the Portillón
On the Spanish side, there was once a customs guard hut, later used by the Guardia Civil for border control. There was also the Cabellud hut, where food and drinks were served to French Pyrenean travellers — bourgeois and aristocrats — who came from Luchon to “discover” the highest Pyrenees.
There was even a mining operation with barracks and stables, transporting minerals to France.
A path full of human stories
These mountain passes, which you can now explore safely with Anima Equi, have been crossed by emigrants, immigrants, armies, pilgrims, smugglers, shepherds, hunters and mountaineers.
They also feature in one of Luz Gabás’s novels, As Fire on Ice.
With Anima Equi, you can discover these historic routes on horseback and travel back in time.
Experience the Pyrenees on horseback with Anima Equi
Exploring the Portillón de Benás on horseback is much more than a ride:
it is a deep connection with nature, with horses and with the memory of the mountains.
Discover our equestrian rides in the Pyrenees and live this unique experience.
