The crossing known as Carros de Foc is located in the Aigües Tortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.
Josep M. Blanc refuge
Carros de Foc is a circular route linking nine mountain refuges located in the Aigües Tortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.
Sant Maurici lake
To do the basic route (which is the one we did) of Carros de Foc you will need between five and site days, we did it in five. However, there are some top-notch hikers who manage to complete the route in less than 24 hours!
You can start at the refuge of your choice and in the direction you prefer, although we advise you to start in the counterclockwise direction, as the Contraix pass of almost 3,000 metres between the refuge of Ventosa i Calvell and Estany Llong is more accessible.
Map
Access to the park is very well organised, from first thing in the morning there are vans that take you from Espot to the Sant Maurici lake, which you can get from the Park House.
Espot is a beautiful mountain village in the province of Lerida. Its Romanesque bridge, medieval tower and beautiful traditional Pyrenean architecture stand out. There are several accommodation options, we recommend Casa Rural Colom, double room included 55€.
Espot
Espot
Bars, restaurants, supermarket... Espot has all the services.
Equipment:
Depending on the time of year you will need different material, however even if you go in summer it is essential to bring warm clothes and gtx, keep in mind that it is high mountain and the weather is constantly changing.
Sleeping bag (ask beforehand at the refuges if there are blankets available, but a sleeping bag is enough to spend the night), headlamp, water, sun cream, boots, hygiene products, towel, change of clothes, GPS system and map (although it is very well signposted, it never hurts, we use Oruxmaps and Wikiloc), batteries for recharging mobile phones, earplugs and cash.
Old refuge
Rest shoes are available in all the refuges. Book well in advance, the refuges have limited capacity.
You have the option to book full board (for lunch you get a picnic) but we only book bed and breakfast, for lunch we bring dried fruit, energy bars and gel packs.
Aigüestortes and Sant Maurici lake National Park
The food in the refuges is delicious and I don't know if they agree but we don't repeat the same dinner in any of the refuges. The average price of half board in the refuges is between 43 and 45€/pax/day. If you are a member of the Catalan Mountain Federation you get a bigger discount than with the national federation.
If you don't feel strong enough to continue, there are several refuges that have an exit by road, or you can also take the road that divides the Park in two, between the Estany Llong and Ernest Mallafré refuges.
Some of them have hot water showers, such as Josep M. Blanc and Estany Llong. In all of them you can refill your water for free.
Aigüestortes and Sant Maurici lake National Park
Itinerary:
Day 1: Sant Maurici lake - Refuge d’Amitges - Refuge Saboredo - Refuge Colomers
Day 2: Refuge Colomers - Refuge Restanca - Refuge Ventosa i Calvell
Day 3: Refuge Ventosa i Calvell - Refuge Estany Llong
Day 4: Refuge Estany Llong - Refuge Colomina - Refuge Josep María Blanc
Day 5: Refuge Josep María Blanc - Refuge Ernest Mallafré - Sant Maurici lake
Day 1: Sant Maurici lake - Refuge d’Amitges - Refuge Saboredo - Refuge Colomers (6-8 horas)
From the spectacular Sant Maurici lake we start our route along a wide road surrounded by Pyrenean forest to the Amitges refuge where we make our first stop and contemplate the Gran d'Amitges, dels Barbs and Munyidera lakes and the Agulles d'Amitges.
Ratera lake
Access or escape route to Amitges refuge from/to Estany de Sant Maurici almost 2 hours. There is the option of using the taxi service (973 624 105) to go up to Sant Maurici, Ratera lake, or to the refuge itself.
Amitges refuge
We continue on to Lake Gran and the Ratera pass, with impressive views, from where we can see our next objective, the Saboredo refuge. It is small and has two very nice donkeys that immediately ask us for food. We have a drink, eat and chat with the guard.
Amitges lake
Access or escape route to/from Saboredo refuge from/to parking visit the website. Hot water shower. 28 places.
Going to Saboredo
Saboredo refuge
We continue to Baish lake, from here we ascend by the Còth deth Tuc Gran de Sendrosa, we descend in the direction of the tunnel until we reach Clòto de Baish lake. We pass by the Major lake and after a few small ascents and descents we see the Colomers dam next to the Colomers refuge.
Views from Còth deth Tuc Gran de Sendrosa
Colomers refuge
It starts to rain but it soon stops. Located in the Colomers cirque and surrounded by beautiful meadows, the refuge is a marvel for the senses.
Access or Escape route Colomers refuge from/to Banhs de Tredòs car park 2 hours. 60 places.
Colomers refuge
We have a beer and dinner at 7 pm. At the table we meet an Israeli couple who are also making the crossing, we make good friends and chat until bedtime. A perfect day.
Day 2: Refuge Colomers - Refuge Restanca - Refuge Ventosa i Calvell (8-8,5 horas)
After a generous breakfast we start our day walking first to the Còth de Ribereta.
Colomers refuge
Gran Tuc Colomers
We continue to Port de Caldes with the Tuc de Ribereta on our right.
We descend to reach the Des Monges lake to go to the Coll de la Crestada that will take us to the Restanca refuge, the only one located in Aragon on the entire route.
Les Mangades lake
To Restanca
Restanca lake
Spectacular views of the valley.
Access or escape route Restanca hut from/to Pont de Resec car park 2 hours. Hot water shower. 80 places.
To get to Restanca we have to go down a considerable slope that we will have to climb again to continue to the Ventosa i Calvell refuge located next to the Estany Negre.
Lac deth Cap deth Pòrt lake
We cross again through ponds and meadows until we reach Ventosa. It is beautiful.
Travessani lake
Negre lake
The Ventosa refuge is very lively, almost full. It has board games. There is a fountain from which you can enjoy the breathtaking views and wash your feet or refill your hydrator.
Ventosa i Calvell refuge
We had dinner at 7pm like yesterday, delicious.
Access or Escape route to Ventosa i Calvell refuge from/to Cavallers reservoir 2 hours. Hot water shower. 69 places.
Cooling the feet
Day 3: Refuge Ventosa i Calvell - Refuge Estany Llong (4-6 horas)
An incredible breakfast. We replenish our strength because today is going to be one of the hardest days. Blau de Colieto lake offers us crystal clear waters.
Blau de Colieto lake
To get to the Contraix pass you have to climb up some huge granite blocks that take a long time to overcome.
Granite blocks
Contraix pass
The last stretch (up to 45º of incline) to the pass is on dirt and is very steep and slippery, so be careful in this area.
Granite blocks
Views from Contraix pass
Once on the pass, the landscape leaves you speechless, no matter which way you look. Breathtaking views of the Contraix Lake.
Contraix lake
Descend Contraix pass
We continue crossing the smaller blocks that surround the lake. It is a very cloudy day and the sun is not with us. Near the refuge the vegetation begins again, the well-known meadows of Aiguadassi.
Meadows
We arrive at the Estany Llong refuge, surrounded by forest, and take a well-deserved shower.
Our Israeli friends tell us that they have no reservation and as the refuge is full they have to walk another three hours to get to the Ernest Mallafré refuge, which is the nearest one with room. They cross the Park and have to walk another eight kilometres! Remember to book. It is not possible to bivouac or camp in the Park. The refuges are communicated by radio to ensure the arrival of guests.
Estany Llong refuge
During dinner we meet Adrián, a mountain guide who works in Andorra and is also enjoying the trip.
Access or escape route to Estany Llong refuge from/to Palanca de la Molina car park 3 hours. Hot water shower. 47 places. There is an unguarded refuge next door but they only open it when the guarded one is closed, it is called la Centraleta and has a capacity for 10 people.
Estany Llong refuge
Day 4: Refuge Estany Llong - Refuge Colomina - Refuge Josep María Blanc (10 horas)
We are the first to leave the refuge, today is another tough stage due to the distance and the weather is not good, cold and foggy.
We start in the direction of Dellui through a stretch of forest to the Dellui lake.
Starting route
Dellui lake
Five hours later, crossing several lakes (Cubieso and Tort), the landscape changes and becomes much more rugged and cobbled.
Cubieso lake
Cubieso lake
Tort lake
We arrive at the Colomina refuge, next to the Colomina lagoon, where we stop for lunch.
Colomina refuge
Access or escape route to Colomina refuge from/to cable car from Sallente reservoir to Estany gento lake (50 minutes to the refuge), vehicle to Cabdella tower and Sallent reservoir or on foot from Sallent 2.5 hours. 50 places. Payment by credit card.
It is quite cold, we eat quickly and climb the next pass, Pas de l'Ós. Beautiful, it looks like we have reached a volcanic crater.
We descend to the Saburó lagoon until we reach the Monestero pass.
Saburó lagoon
Two hours later we start to see the sun and our objective is the Josep M. Blanc refuge, located in one of the most beautiful enclaves of the entire route next to the Negre de Peguera lake.
Negre de Peguera lake
Negre de Peguera lake
Once there, we see that our Israeli friends and Adrián have already arrived, we have a beer, a hot shower and enjoy dinner with this pleasant company. Today lentils with mushrooms among other delicacies.
Negre de Peguera lake
Access or escape route to Josep María Blanc refuge from/to El Prat de Pierró car park 3.15 hours. From Espot 4.5 hours or taxi service 4X4. Hot water shower. 60 places. Payment by credit card.
Josep M. Blanc refuge
Day 5: Refuge Josep María Blanc - Refuge Ernest Mallafré - Sant Maurici lake (6 - 7 horas)
After an impressive breakfast we say goodbye to this valley that has enchanted us.
Negre de Peguera lake
At the beginning it is a bit difficult to follow the signs to find the right path, we have to cross a river and depending on the time of year the flow can be very high. Thanks to the help of a group of policemen who are also doing the crossing, we manage to cross it without any problems.
Josep M. Blanc refuge
From here we climb to the pass of Monestero with spectacular views on both sides. The weather today is going to be hot.
Lagoons
Monestero pass
We descend through the Monestero valley with a beautiful forest. After a few kilometres we arrive at the Ernest Mallafré refuge located under the Encantats, which is beautiful.
Monestero pass
Monestero valley
Here we say goodbye to the policemen, they started in the refuge of Ventosa i Calvell and they still have a couple of days of walking left.
Encantats
After lunch we reached our final destination, the Sant Maurici lake, where we enjoyed a well-deserved rest.
Ernest Mallafré refuge
Here you can take a taxi that will take you back to Espot. Wonderful.
Sant Maurici lake
Type of route: circular.
Distance: 60 kilometres.
Difference in altitude: 9,200 metres of accumulated difference in altitude.
Average altitude: 2,400 metres
Highest point: Contraix pass at 2,745 metres.
Tips: comfortable shoes, sun cream, water.
Signposting: good.
Difficulty: moderate/high.
Track on wikiloc.
Whoever makes use and follows all or part of this track and its additional information, assumes full responsibility for the risks inherent in the practice of the activity, as this information is only indicative.
- Log in to post comments
